IRTA presents reference technologies at the AgriTech Expo 2024

Different professionals of the Institute have presented the innovations: presentations and more than 150 visits to our stand.

From 26 to 28 November, IRTA was present at Expo AgriTech 2024, held at the FYCMA exhibition center in Malaga. This event, recognized as one of the most important in agri-food innovation and technology, brought together thousands of professionals and companies in the sector to promote agricultural sustainability and competitiveness.

During the three days of the fair, more than 150 people have visited IRTA’s stand, interested in the innovative technologies and solutions that we have presented. Our professionals have taken the opportunity to exchange experiences, explore alliances and show our commitment to a more efficient and sustainable agricultural sector.

Innovative solutions from IRTA that will shape the future of agriculture

IRTA has stood out at Expo AgriTech 2024 for the presentation of four technologies that meet the current challenges of agriculture.

• Irridesk: precision irrigation with digital bessons. This digital tool integrates meteorological information, sensors and agronomic data in an algorithm that allows optimizing the irrigation in real time. On the other hand, it incorporates a system to import the data from the sensors and assimilate them into a digital besso of the irrigated plot. Irridesk has been successfully tested in various crops, offering customized solutions that improve water efficiency and reduce environmental pollution.

• Intensia: canopy carrier for intensive cultivation. This hybrid canopy holder reduces the vigor of the tree by 30% and is especially recommended for planting in calcareous soils. It is a solution that allows higher planting densities, with a better agronomic yield. This product is already available on the market.

• GreenTray: bioreactor for more efficient in vitro cultures. GreenTray offers a faster and more economical method for producing in vitro cultures, reducing the labor required and improving plant development. The technology is already being tested in different species, from berries to avocado, and in different countries, including Spain and Chile. We are currently looking for companies that want to test GreenTray to see if it can be adapted to their needs at an industrial level.

• CleanLeach: sustainable leachate management. This system recirculates and purifies the water used in silt-free crops, saving up to 80% of water and 70% of nutrients. It does this through two mechanisms; a horizontal shallow horizontal filter acts as a slow filter; and artificial horizontal subsurface flow artificial pools. In addition, it reduces pollution and increases the sustainability of horticultural farms.

IRTA, an expert view at AgriTech conferences

IRTA has also participated in the program of lectures of the fair, with three presentations that have generated great interest among the attendees:

On the one hand, Jaume Casadesús, head of the Efficient Use of Water program, spoke about Irridesk, “Digital Bessons for optimizing irrigation”, demonstrating how this technology improves irrigation efficiency in plots and farms and agricultural sustainability in general.

Miquel Peris, specialist in fruit growing, reflected on “Fruit growing 4.0”, highlighting the challenges and opportunities of new technologies for the sector. He also presented IRTA’s experience in validation and evaluation activities of new technologies.

The researcher Laura Torguet has given the keys to how genetic improvement and advances in agronomy have helped such an important crop as the almond tree in the Mediterranean basin.

A positive balance for IRTA

IRTA has been committed from the beginning to this new technology fair, which will continue next year, becoming one of the strategic partners. Participation in Expo AgriTech 2024 has been an opportunity for IRTA to showcase its technologies and reinforce its leadership in agri-food innovation. Looking to the future, we continue working to offer technological solutions that help the agricultural sector to be more competitive and sustainable.