For many years now, the fruit and vegetable sector has been changing, both structurally, technologically and commercially. Every year it faces new challenges related to the sophistication of demand from the end customer and from the production system, which is increasing on a technical, efficient and high-performance scale.
Clients have evolved; now they are more digital and more informed about what they buy and what they consume. For this reason, the level of demand in productivity and quality in the crop increases and this makes farmers have to adapt their production system to this new panorama. The market demands availability of products throughout the year and innovation and sustainability in the way of producing the varieties of fruit and vegetables that come to their table.
In fact, the consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables in the world has increased by 4.5% in recent years according to a Rabobank study. But, if there was a moment where it was truly demonstrated that the fruit and vegetable sector is used to dealing with change, it was during the first wave of the crisis caused by COVID19.
In those convulsive and uncertain weeks, the supply chain from the orchard to the supermarket shelves did not stop at any time. From farmers, through transporters and wholesalers, the sector has joined forces and a sense of responsibility to overcome this critical moment.
That is why we want to interview Rafael Bolinches, General Director of Projar, one of the horticultural technology companies that best knows the sector, since for more than 35 years he has provided cultivation solutions to the main producers and advises them to improve the performances of their crops.
Rafael, how do you think the fruit and vegetable sector is behaving in this COVID crisis that we are experiencing?
The sector is showing all its unity and its sense of responsibility. The production chain has not stopped for a single day. The work that farmers are doing is admirable and they deserve the recognition of the whole of society.
The vast majority of our clients have been able to adapt their production systems in record time by implementing safety protocols and plans to give continuity to their work and the supply chain.
Once again, knowing how to manage uncertainty has been shown to be the key to survival.
Projar has been active for almost 40 years, you know what the word "adaptation" means. How has it affected you and how have you adapted?
We live with change as a constant challenge of our work. My entire team and I personally strive daily to be at the forefront of the industry and production technology. But the key to Projar's success is listening. Listening to our clients is essential, since the greatest achievements of our company have been accomplished by working hand in hand on projects of companies that have trusted us. In this way, we have sought innovative solutions through R&D and adapted processes and services to always be by the side of our clients as one of their team. So we are used to adaptation, but we do not live it with stress, but as a challenge of growth with our clients.
In fact, the sector is recognizing your role in the market. You have just been chosen as the best SME in Valencia by Banco Santander and the Chamber of Commerce and Innovative SMEs by the Ministry of Science and Innovation.
Yes, it is a great honor. In addition, we were also finalists in the Innovation Hub Awards of Fruit Attraction, with our Smart Hydroponic Grow System solution
But there are many more things that do not appear in the press and that help us to continue evolving. Our Innovation department constantly collaborates with renowned institutions on new projects for the improvement and sustainability of cultivation processes. Innovating means betting on the future of the sector and the projects we carry out arise from latent needs of our clients.
Being part of our clients' projects and working hand in hand with them achieving joint objectives is the greatest satisfaction and helps us to continue striving to evolve as a company in a context of permanent change that requires agility and adaptability.
You are a company with an international presence, is the market changing globally or do you notice differences?
Yes, 50% of our sales are on international scale. This is great because it allows us to understand that the same solution is not valid for everyone.
The needs are not the same for all types of crops, but not for all latitudes neither. That is why we develop flexible products and offer specific advice with agronomists who know in detail the cultivation needs of each area. In this way, we guarantee efficient and tailor-made procedures for each of our clients.
What is the growing technology most demanded by producers?
It varies according to the type of crop and its productive needs. Think that we cover a very wide range of solutions for horticultural production, berries or medicinal cannabis cultivation and even hydroponic solutions based on coconut fiber, or high profitability substrates, propagation and cultivation media, such as trays, pots, screens, etc. Our extensive catalog allows us to develop customized solutions according to the client's needs.
Anyway, surely the Smart Hydroponic Grow System is the most demanded solution right now, for combining the advantages of hydroponics and soil cultivation. Due to the consequences of COVID, many growers who grew hydroponically have switched to soil, but they have to deal with fatigued soils and salinity problems, which is not productive. Smart Hydroponic Grow System is a technology developed by us that combines the incorporation of coconut fiber plates in the soil growing line with an optimized irrigation management. The performance you get is impressive. The first year production increases 30% more than with conventional techniques. All our clients who have implemented it are very satisfied. It is already being implemented in several countries such as Italy, Spain, Chile and the United States with very good results.
Projar has developed a free guide to its Smart Hydroponic Grow System that can be downloaded from this link and you can request a personalized appointment with an agronomist at ... projarinternational.com