Advanced technology for demanding projects
The agrifood sector is in a constant search for excellence and sustainability. Leading companies, like G’s Grupo, not only seek efficiency but also focus on the ability to innovate and adapt to climate and market challenges. In regions such as Murcia, climatic conditions, marked by an endemic water scarcity, make water management a critical factor for the viability and profitability of any agricultural operation.
In this context, G’s Grupo, a giant in the production and commercialization of premium quality fruits, vegetables, and leafy greens in Europe, has decided to implement SPHERAG’s technology. This project exemplifies how precision agriculture for highly technified farms is transforming the field.
At SPHERAG, we understand that our clients’ high standards of quality and control demands solutions that go beyond the conventional. Our proposal is robust and flexible: efficient from the very first device, yet capable of scaling and offering advanced functions for large-scale users with high technological demands, as is the case with G’s Grupo. Our mission is to support these leaders, providing them with the tools for the agriculture of the future, where precision, efficiency, and control are the keys to success on farms that demand high levels of technification, especially in environments with limited water resources.
Implementing precision agriculture at G’s Grupo
It has been an exciting experience for SPHERAG to contribute to the digitalization of G’s Grupo’s production in the Águilas region of Murcia, known for its semi-arid climate, which presents a constant challenge of water scarcity. The farm, covering 40 hectares, is distinguished by crop rotation, including lettuce, celery, and melon, adding a layer of complexity to irrigation and fertigation management. The adoption of digitized precision agriculture was a logical and necessary step to ensure water sustainability in an operation of this nature.
Until recently, water and nutrient management in this significant operation was carried out traditionally. This involved manual opening and closing of valves, manual control of fertilization, and meticulous (and laborious) handwritten data recording on tablets. We can confidently say that era is now history!
The implementation of the SPHERAG solution marks a turning point, introducing a level of efficiency and control that was not viable with the traditional management system. The information collected by 7 weather stations and transmitted in real-time by our Atlas 2 devices to the cloud platform provides precise data for informed irrigation decisions. This constant monitoring capability allows the G’s Grupo team to adapt processes in real-time to crop needs and climatic variations. Now, irrigation and fertigation elements are managed remotely, from the offices, based on reliable and objective data. This not only optimizes resource use but also guarantees the maximum quality of the final product.
Optimized water management: reservoir monitoring
The key to ensuring water availability and efficient management on G’s Grupo’s farms in Murcia lies in integrating SPHERAG’s technology with their existing water infrastructure. In an environment where every drop counts, G’s Grupo’s farms are supplied by numerous irrigation reservoirs. These reservoirs, vital for water storage and distribution, are continuously monitored with SPHERAG’s technology.
This advanced monitoring is a fundamental pillar of precision agriculture. Our devices and sensors deployed in the reservoirs provide real-time information on water levels, inflow and outflow rates, and other critical parameters. This real-time data, accessible from the SPHERAG platform, allows G’s Grupo to:
- Ensure irrigation water availability: By having exact control over reserves, irrigation cycles can be precisely planned, and any needs or limitations can be anticipated.
- Optimize water management: Detailed information facilitates strategic decisions on water use, minimizing waste and ensuring the resource is allocated where it is most needed and in the right amount. This is crucial in a water-scarce region.
On this model farm, the intelligent irrigation infrastructure deployed by SPHERAG includes:
- 21 individually managed irrigation sectors.
- 1 pump.
- 22 meters that precisely record the volume of water used at each point and provide complete traceability of water consumption.
- 2 mixers and 2 fertilizers that allow for automated and precise dosing and application of nutrients.
- 1 pressure sensor that constantly monitors the irrigation network, alerting to any anomalies.
- Additionally, 30 ATLAS2 devices act as the operational brains in the field, collecting data, executing commands, and ensuring fluid communication with the SPHERAG cloud platform.
This setup allows G’s Grupo not only significant savings in water and fertilizer resources but also a substantial improvement in the quality and uniformity of their crops, a critical factor for a company primarily export-oriented and leading the European market.
We are firmly committed to the constant evolution of agriculture. We provide solutions that not only optimize resource use but also empower farmers to make smarter, more profitable decisions. We are ready to accompany your company on the path to more efficient, sustainable, and productive precision agriculture, even when facing the most demanding water challenges.
