After a very difficult season with unusual climatic conditions and other difficulties, Spanish company Citrusricus is looking confidently into the future with new projects. "Our Demeter project is particularly close to our hearts, because the step towards strictly organic cultivation with certification is our small contribution to a better future," says Christina Schaffer, responsible for the German-speaking market at the company.
During planting
For the implementation of this project, however, support is needed. "Therefore we are offering all interested parties the opportunity to plant a Demeter tree, which will then symbolically bear the name of the tree sponsor," Schaffer explains.
Managing Director Guillermo Bas of the Citrusricus company.
Modern drip irrigation
For this project, a currently fallow area of land is being prepared for the planting of orange trees. In the region of Valencia, irrigation is usually carried out by flooding the cultivated area. There are classic ditches in the fields that allow the whole area to be flooded, but the water consumption caused by this system is enormous.
In the field
Schaffer: "That's why we will switch to modern drip irrigation, with which we can precisely regulate the water supply to each tree. This will not only enable us to save water, it will also reduce weed growth, which will make our work easier."
Demeter cultivation in the Spanish Valencia growing region
Modern infrastructure
A modern infrastructure will therefore be built for the Demeter plantation to optimise all aspects. "Our goal is to grow high quality fruit which, like all our oranges, tangerines and lemons, will taste very intense and juicy, and at the same time do the best for the environment."
For the irrigation of the citrus trees we now use modern drip irrigation instead of traditional flooding.
The Demeter oranges, like all other sustainably grown fruit, will then be marketed directly and delivered to German and Austrian customers. However, it will be several years before this will become a reality, as orange trees need 3 to 5 years to bear fruit. "However, we are convinced that this is the right way forward and hope that this will motivate other orange growers in the region to switch to organic cultivation."
The 'flooding' system characterises citrus cultivation in Valencia.
For more information:
Citrusricus
Christina Schaffer
46111 Rocafort
+34 679 890 459
citrusricus.de@gmail.com
https://citrusricus.com/collections/foodfunding-1/products/naranja-demeter