The designers of a new open/close cover technology, Wayki, that reduces the cost of protecting fruit crops, have signed their first European distribution agreement.
Wayki Europe has granted rights to sell the Wayki system globally (with the exception of Latin America), and exclusively in Italy, to Italian covering solutions supplier Valente.
Alessandro Valente, CEO of Valente, said: “We are extremely proud to become partners to Wayki. It’s the only rapid automatic anti-rain film system for cherries, kiwis and berry orchard protection, which allows you to open and close the covers like an umbrella for optimal management of orchards.
This innovative solution brings great benefits to the producers who install it. Together with Valente’s new Multi-Shield structure, Wayki allows us to offer growers a complete, effective, flexible and safe solution to protect their crops.”
Cristián López of Wayki Europe said: "We are very excited about our new partnership with Valente – it’s an important first step in then Wayki story. Now, more fruit growers in Italy, Europe and the rest of the world have the ability to manage their covers in an easy and efficient way. This will ultimately improve the quality of their fruit and reduce labour time and cost."
Wayki gives growers the ability to open and close covers on their crops in minutes in response to weather events, reducing damage to fruit, increasing quality and lowering the overall cost of production. Currently used for cherry crops, Wayki allows a single worker to close or open covers at a rate of less than one minute for a 100-metre row or 20 minutes for a hectare; most existing automatic or semi-automatic systems are expensive and require more labour and much longer to operate.
The Wayki system is operated with a conventional electric hand drill. It is installed above existing pole structures and can be used to operate covers on three-wire systems.
It allows growers to keep their fruit exposed to natural conditions for as long as possible, instead of in the artificial microclimate created under covers. This produces firmer, sweeter fruit.
Jorge Prieto the inventor of Wayki said: “Next, we are working with growers to develop the Wayki system for use in other crops and fruits, including blueberries and apples. To date, it has been installed in different geographies meaning exposure to a broad spectrum of terrains and microclimates, and it has performed extremely well.”
“Having launched Wayki successfully, we are now developing multiple covers, which will allow producers to adjust climatic conditions according to the type of crop and its stage of development.”
“As a result of climate change, crops are increasingly being exposed to different off-season climates within the season. Wayki borrows the concept of multiple layers from greenhouses and brings it to larger areas of land without the need for expensive greenhouse supporting structures. Producers will soon be able to use two types of roof on the same structure.”
“Meanwhile, in partnership with one of our clients, we are developing the technology for remote operation of the covers, and also artificial intelligence to allow the system to operate autonomously based on parameters collected directly from sensors and weather stations in the field, and external sources such as early frost alerts.”
For more information:
Dominic Weaver
Tel: +44 7305 911
Email: dominic@twelvecomms.co.uk
www.valentepali.com