This year, IRTA celebrated the thirtieth edition of the IRTA Fruit Conference in Mollerussa , the annual reference event for the sweet fruit sector, which takes place at the Mollerussa Experimental Farm . After three decades of history, the conference has consolidated itself as a key space for knowledge transfer and technological innovation in fruit growing, with the participation of around 1,500 professionals from the sector and 83 specialized companies .
This year, the conference focused on reducing the main production costs. Among the main demonstrations were the fruit-picking robot , a commitment to technological leaps in fruit production; micro-spraying against frost within the MICROGEL project; and the use of digital technologies such as variable spraying or the new mobile application FruitMeasureApp , based on artificial intelligence to measure fruit in the field. Advances in regenerative agriculture, efficient water management and biological control of pests such as the pear psyllid were also presented. In addition, future challenges such as the impact of climate change on fruit production were addressed.
For two days, attendees were able to learn about the latest developments in applied research and agricultural technologies, as well as participate in field demonstrations and technical debates. The farm hosted nearly a hundred business stands in a large tent, which displayed the latest innovations in machinery, irrigation systems, plant protection and precision agriculture.
According to Luís Asín, “this edition has focused on providing a response to the two main costs of fruit production: harvesting and thinning, with technological solutions that can reduce costs and improve efficiency”. He also highlighted that “the conference demonstrates how applied research and innovation can transform the way fruit is produced, making it more competitive and sustainable in the face of the challenges posed by climate change”.
As a prelude to the event, an institutional event took place on October 21 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the event with the attendance of representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food, the Mollerussa City Council, the Lleida Provincial Council and more than a hundred companies and research personnel linked to the history of the fair.
Josep Usall, general director of IRTA, highlighted that the conference is “a clear example of collaboration between research, companies and the sector, forming a comprehensive space for relationships”. According to Usall, “we have created a joint team between the Mas Badia and Lleida stations to transfer useful research results to the fruit sector”, and noted that “we carry out circular research, we generate knowledge and, in spaces like this, we see how innovation has a real impact on the field”.
Since its inception, more than 280 companies , 160 IRTA researchers and more than 300 presentations and demonstrations have contributed to making the Fruit Day a unique meeting space in Europe, where innovation is shown directly in the field . With three decades of experience, the IRTA Fruit Day is today an open platform to promote more efficient, sustainable fruit growing and adapted to new climate and market challenges.
