Use Of Manure
One of the main objectives of an adequate use of manure is to provide nutrients to plants and increase the amount of organic matter in the soil. But to achieve this, the rancher or farmer must decide what to do to properly manage manure and other organic waste, so that they have a profitable agricultural production with minimal nutrient losses. This action can save them expenses used for the purchase of commercial chemical fertilizers
It is fully identified that organic matter is of great importance for the proper development of plants. Under certain managements, agricultural soils tend to gradually lose their organic matter, which is manifested in increasingly lower crop yields. When organic matter is added to these soils in appropriate materials, the response in yields is extraordinary; up to 8- to 10-fold higher yields are observed. Organic matter, particularly when it comes from manure, contains significant amounts of all the chemical elements used by plants.
Consequently, the use of manure in agriculture supports the increase in yields for the following reasons:
1. They provide all the essential elements that crops require
2. They have a residual effect greater than that of chemical fertilizers
3. Gradually release nutrients that favor their availability for the development of crops
4. They improve the structure of the soil, porosity, aeration and the capacity for water retention
5. They form organic complexes with nutrients, keeping them available to plants.
6. Increase the cation exchange capacity of the soil
7. They release carbon dioxide during their decomposition which forms carbonic acid which solubilizes nutrients from other sources.
8. They supply organic carbon that is used as an energy source for heterotrophic organisms present in the soil.
9. Increases water infiltration
10. They favor greater resistance to soil aggregates
11. The effect of the use of manure allows the soil to be more productive, conserves its fertility and has a sustained use over time.
Although manure has been used for centuries to fertilize crops, its use today is still empirical. The dosage is made based on the experience of the farmers and the simple tests when observing a favorable response of the crops; but it is necessary to have knowledge of its nutritional content, its rate of decomposition, the nutrient requirements of the crop and its residual effects.
Manures decompose according to a rate of mineralization. A decomposition ratio of 0.35, 0.15, 0.10 and 0.05 indicates that the manure in the first year decomposes 35%, the residual of the first year decomposes by 15% in the second year, the residual of year two decomposes 10% in year three and the third year residual breaks down 5% in year four. And in the same relationship Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium and other nutrients are released.
If you would like to know more about our technology, contact us on our website www.harvestharmonics.com
Press Room
Agricultural Technology for Farmers in India
Harvest HarmonicsTM New Biophysics Agricultural Technology For Farmers In India The Agricultural Biophysics technology, 20…
1
Organic Earth Tech, OETI, Launches One Million Dollar Technology
After hurricanes Maria and Irma, Puertorrican farmers are yet to receive the needed aid to recover. Organic Earth Tech…
0
Produce More From Less
CEO Harvest Harmonics Frank Arlia speaking at Replenish. Earth interview by Tia Kansara – London Climate Action Week. How…
0
Replenish Earth and the Environmental RE Talk Series
Replenish Earth and the environmental RE Talk Series event that reunited the top thinkers in the world Harvest Harmonics…
1
Biodegradable Material For Encapsulation Of Agricultural Fertilizers
It is a strategy tested at the Brazilian Federal University of São Carlos to allow a controlled and gradual release with the consequent reduction in the amount used and waste.
One of today’s serious environmental problems is the residue of fertilizers, pesticides and growth regulators that agriculture leaves in the soil, mainly in large production units. Therefore, in the specific case of fertilizers, one way to reduce the amount of material used, promote its efficiency and reduce the environmental impact as much as possible consists of encapsulating the nutrients with biodegradable coatings that ensure their controlled and gradual release in the water and on the ground.
Faced with this problem, researchers from the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar) on the campus of the town of Araras, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, are carrying out a line of research oriented towards the development of materials for the encapsulation of fertilizers since 2014. This is highlighted in an article published by the Mundo Agropecuario portal.
“Fertilizers are made up of highly soluble salts, easily transported by rain. The encapsulation allows its release in a controlled and gradual manner, with the consequent reduction in the amount used and waste”, says study coordinator Roselena Faez.
According to the researcher and as highlighted by Mundo Agropecuario, the solution to the issue of encapsulation constitutes an essential step towards obtaining the so-called “improved efficiency fertilizers”. This involves the adjustment of various parameters: the release of nutrients and their absorption in the crop, the biodegradability of the lining material and the cost-benefit ratio of the product. “To arrive at the appropriate coating material, we started with chitosan, a bio-based polymer that is abundant, renewable and readily available,” she says.
It is worth noting that chitosan is made from chitin, a polysaccharide present in the exoskeletons of crustaceans – such as shrimp, lobsters and crabs – and in the coatings of insects and fungal mycelia. Therefore, based on chitosan, Faez and his collaborators prepared microspheres and microcapsules to coat fertilizers.
“In a previous work, carried out in collaboration with Professor Claudinei Fonseca Souza (UFSCar-Araras), we had already used a technique for monitoring the release of fertilizer nutrients into the soil, without the need for harvesting. This is achieved by measuring the electrical conductivity of the soil and correlating this parameter with the release of nutrients”, he comments. If you would like to know more about our technology, contact us on our website www.harvestharmonics.com
Source: RedAgricol
Press Room
Agricultural Technology for Farmers in India
Harvest HarmonicsTM New Biophysics Agricultural Technology For Farmers In India The Agricultural Biophysics technology, 20…
1
Organic Earth Tech, OETI, Launches One Million Dollar Technology
After hurricanes Maria and Irma, Puertorrican farmers are yet to receive the needed aid to recover. Organic Earth Tech…
0
Produce More From Less
CEO Harvest Harmonics Frank Arlia speaking at Replenish. Earth interview by Tia Kansara – London Climate Action Week. How…
0
Replenish Earth and the Environmental RE Talk Series
Replenish Earth and the environmental RE Talk Series event that reunited the top thinkers in the world Harvest Harmonics…
1
Nutrient Solubilizing Microorganisms
The microorganisms of the rhizosphere have maintained a close relationship with plants since the latter began to colonize the earth and have contributed to the maintenance, functioning and stability of ecosystems through their influence on the diversity of species in plant communities. This relationship has favored a mechanism of symbiotic association for the acquisition of nutrients and water by the plant and carbon by the microsymbiont.
However, agricultural activities have altered natural communities to achieve greater productivity per unit area and, as a consequence of this anthropocentric activity, the degradation of agricultural systems has accelerated, as in the case of the genetic diversity of Rhizobium, which by Due to some agricultural practices or chemical fertilization based on NPK, a decrease in genetic diversity has been observed in the nodule population of some Phaseolus vulgaris cultivars.
The need to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and synthetic phytosanitary products has given way to the practice of inoculation and the use of so-called biofertilizers, which are formulated from microorganisms that inhabit the soil and are involved in the plant nutrition and growth. At present, the study and application of biofertilizers from phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms, as well as plant growth-promoting bacteria and nitrogen-fixing bacteria, have been widely extended.
Some phosphate solubilizing microorganisms can show other plant growth promoting activities such as production of indole acetic acid (IAA), gibberellic acid, cytokinins, ethylene, hydrocyanic acid (HCN), asymbiotic nitrogen fixation and resistance to soil pathogens; these characteristics are necessary for a microorganism to be considered a potential and efficient bioinput.
Nitrogen-fixing microorganisms, phosphorus and potassium solubilizers are widely distributed in a great diversity of soils and agricultural crops, only some show greater activity than others and only some species can be used in the formulation of biofertilizers with agricultural application. The inoculation of consortia of microorganisms can increase the microbiological diversity of the soil, especially in impoverished or depleted soils, allowing the use of their mineral stock and improving the conditions for crop development. If you would like to know more about our technology, contact us on our website www.harvestharmonics.com
Source:
Velazquez G. A, Ramos A. M. P. (2015). Benefits of P and K solubilizing microorganisms in the recovery and maintenance of agricultural soils. avocadosource.com
Beltran P.M.E. (2014). Phosphate solubilization as a microbial strategy to promote plant growth. Corpoica Agricultural Science and Technology. scielo.org
Press Room
Agricultural Technology for Farmers in India
Harvest HarmonicsTM New Biophysics Agricultural Technology For Farmers In India The Agricultural Biophysics technology, 20…
1
Organic Earth Tech, OETI, Launches One Million Dollar Technology
After hurricanes Maria and Irma, Puertorrican farmers are yet to receive the needed aid to recover. Organic Earth Tech…
0
Produce More From Less
CEO Harvest Harmonics Frank Arlia speaking at Replenish. Earth interview by Tia Kansara – London Climate Action Week. How…
0
Replenish Earth and the Environmental RE Talk Series
Replenish Earth and the environmental RE Talk Series event that reunited the top thinkers in the world Harvest Harmonics…
1
What is Spray Drift?
What is Drift?
Spray drift is a term used throughout the industry to describe the physical movement of pesticide droplets or particles through the air away from the planned target area. The droplets most likely to drift are those less than 150 microns in diameter.
The most determining factor is the wind speed
The greater the distance between the spray tip of the nozzle and the target area, the greater the impact of wind speed on droplet movement.
An increase in operating speeds can cause the wind to return in the form of vortex-type overhead currents behind the sprayer, trapping small droplets and thus contributing to drift.
When temperatures are above 25ºC and relative humidity is low, small droplets are more likely to drift, due to the effects of evaporation.
Low dosages generally require the use of small nozzles, which increases the risk of loss.
The smaller the nozzle size and the higher the spray pressure, the smaller the droplet size and the greater the proportion of droplets likely to drift.
Useful tips to control drift
Reduce the working pressure to increase the size of the drops. Due to the decrease in flow rate, it may be necessary to use larger nozzles to stay within the dosage indicated on the product label.
Use nozzles that produce larger droplets, such as low drift nozzles or higher capacity nozzles.
Decrease boom height to reduce losses, while maintaining adequate overlap to ensure desired spray coverage.
Causes of spray drift
A number of variables contribute to spray droplet losses; these are mainly due to the spray equipment system and weather factors.
Drop size
Within the spray equipment system, droplet size is the most influential factor. When a liquid solution is sprayed under pressure, it atomizes into droplets of various sizes: The smaller the nozzle size and the higher the spray pressure, the smaller the droplets and thus the greater the proportion of droplets with a tendency to drift.
Spray height
As the distance between the nozzle and the target increases, the greater the impact that wind speed can have. The influence of the wind can increase the proportion of smaller droplets deflected from the target and considered as lost.
Working speed
Increased operating speeds can cause spray to drift into updrafts and vortices behind the sprayer, which traps fine droplets and can contribute to drift. Ideally, apply chemicals according to good professional practice at maximum working speeds of 6 to 8 km/h (with air induction nozzles – up to 10 km/h). As wind speeds increase, reduce working speed.
Wind speed
Among the meteorological factors that affect drift, the one with the greatest impact is wind speed. Increasing wind speed increases drift. Therefore, it is important to carry out spraying operations during relatively calm hours of the day. Generally, early morning and late afternoon are the quietest hours.
Some recommendations when spraying
In low wind speed situations, spraying can be done at recommended nozzle pressures.
As wind speeds increase to 3 m/s, spray pressure will need to be reduced and nozzle size increased to obtain larger droplets that are less prone to drift. Wind measurements should be taken during the spraying operation using an anemometer or wind gauge. As the risk of drift increases, it is very important to choose spray tips with coarser droplets that are less prone to drift.
When wind speeds exceed 5 m/s, spraying should be stopped.
Environmental temperature and humidity
At ambient temperatures above 25°C with low relative humidity, small droplets are especially prone to drift due to the effects of evaporation.
If you would like to know more about our technology, contact us on our website www.harvestharmonics.com
Source: https://www.unicoop.com.py/
Press Room
Agricultural Technology for Farmers in India
Harvest HarmonicsTM New Biophysics Agricultural Technology For Farmers In India The Agricultural Biophysics technology, 20…
1
Organic Earth Tech, OETI, Launches One Million Dollar Technology
After hurricanes Maria and Irma, Puertorrican farmers are yet to receive the needed aid to recover. Organic Earth Tech…
0
Produce More From Less
CEO Harvest Harmonics Frank Arlia speaking at Replenish. Earth interview by Tia Kansara – London Climate Action Week. How…
0
Replenish Earth and the Environmental RE Talk Series
Replenish Earth and the environmental RE Talk Series event that reunited the top thinkers in the world Harvest Harmonics…
1
Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture
The technological revolution of recent years has also reached the agricultural sector to stay. More and more new ways of capturing information are being developed that, agronomically, can be of great interest to know the state of our farms and our crops. Artificial intelligence in agriculture allows knowing more data and adjusting all the tools more.
The sum of these two things means that we can adjust much more the amounts of phytosanitary products, fertilizers, the optimal point of harvest, pest control or water requirements.
In this article, we are going to learn a little more about artificial intelligence in agriculture, its main advantages and disadvantages, and some of the agricultural technological innovations that are coming onto the market.
What is artificial intelligence in agriculture?
Artificial intelligence (AI) applied in agriculture are all those capacities that a machine, sensor, monitor or computer is capable of performing with great precision, collecting a series of data that allow us to adjust and optimize any type of task and crop to the maximum.
There are many ways in agriculture where artificial intelligence is applied to obtain data and be able to analyze the different situations that arise with greater decision-making power. Let’s look at some examples:
Agricultural applications
Artificial intelligence has led to the development of several applications (apps) on agriculture. There are many examples related to apps on topics of agronomic interest.
Some allow us to manage farms from start to finish. Others are cartographic-type tools that allow us to measure the surfaces of the parcels and obtain geographic information about the area. There are also apps related to meteorology and also applications that allow you to manage an entire irrigation system using a mobile phone. All these applications simplify many tasks and time for farmers.
Sensors applied in agriculture
One of the tools that have been developed the most in recent years at the level of agro artificial intelligence are sensors. Sensors are used in all kinds of tools, cars, machines, etc. If we look at the use of sensors in agriculture, we can see advances in this aspect to improve the driving of tractors, tools and tanks to make applications. They are also used at a climatological level, with weather stations located at key points on farms and soil sensors that indicate both humidity and other key factors in soil fertility.
Aerial and satellite images
Apart from time management, organization and some technical parameters, artificial intelligence in agriculture applied in the field of aerial and satellite photos allows knowing the state of a crop, the amount of weeds or creating layers with the areas drier and more humid to adjust to the maximum the dose of irrigation necessary for the crop and within the same plot.
This artificial intelligence is used by taking aerial images using drones, such as the use of satellite photos.
Advantages and disadvantages of artificial intelligence applied to the agricultural industry
We have seen what artificial intelligence is and we have cited some practical examples of the number of things that can be done by applying AI in agriculture. Let us now see its main advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages
· Data: obtaining data allows greater decision-making power in a specific situation. Agriculture depends on many different factors, the more information we have, the greater control and power of decision and forecast we will have.
· Environmental and economic sustainability: the use of agro artificial intelligence allows us to adjust the doses of sowing, irrigation and phytosanitary products and fertilizers, which allows us to save a lot on phytosanitary products. This has a positive economic impact on our farm and the environment.
· Food safety: the control of all the processes, both in the field and post-harvest, allows exhaustive control of the traceability of the crops and their food safety.
Disadvantages
· Economic cost: although this is not always the case, applying artificial intelligence can sometimes be more expensive than the economic benefit it can bring you. Technology has advanced a great deal in recent years, but there is still technology that cannot be applied since its cost is greater than the benefit that ends up affecting the accounts of agricultural companies.
· Technology maintenance: maintenance is required on a regular basis in any type of sector. In the case of agriculture, technology is often exposed to different weather or adverse situations and inclement weather, so it requires greater attention and maintenance.
· Training: the use of artificial intelligence requires basic knowledge of technology.
If you would like to know more about our technology, contact us on our website www.harvestharmonics.com
Source: Agroptima
Press Room
Agricultural Technology for Farmers in India
Harvest HarmonicsTM New Biophysics Agricultural Technology For Farmers In India The Agricultural Biophysics technology, 20…
1
Organic Earth Tech, OETI, Launches One Million Dollar Technology
After hurricanes Maria and Irma, Puertorrican farmers are yet to receive the needed aid to recover. Organic Earth Tech…
0
Produce More From Less
CEO Harvest Harmonics Frank Arlia speaking at Replenish. Earth interview by Tia Kansara – London Climate Action Week. How…
0
Replenish Earth and the Environmental RE Talk Series
Replenish Earth and the environmental RE Talk Series event that reunited the top thinkers in the world Harvest Harmonics…
1
Labor Narrowness Pushes to Plant Blueberries with Larger Berries
The shortage of labor in the peak weeks of production is added as a factor to consumer requirements and has led companies such as Agrícola Cerro Prieto and Agrovision to incorporate the POP and Beauty varieties into their offer.
The Peruvian blueberry business continues to search for the best formula when choosing which varieties to include in its portfolio. And it is that, at the end of 2021, 60 varieties were counted, while in 2016 only 13 were registered, according to information from the Association of Blueberry Producers of Peru (Proarándanos). There are three criteria that guide the choice of producers, and that are becoming more and more relevant: the size of the berry, that the fruit has a less acid taste and that the berry has a good ‘crunch’, that is, firmness. This is related to the need to ensure the number of workers required in the campaign, especially at production peaks, and to meet consumer requirements regarding attributes such as flavor.
“It is becoming a challenge every time to get the volumes of people that are required, in some cases. People are paid per kilo harvested, if I have to harvest 1 kilo (kg) and my berries weigh 1 gram (g) it is 1,000 berries that I have to harvest, unlike if I have a fruit with double or triple of weight. It is more pleasant for the harvester and it yields more”, considers advisor Bruno Mancilla, from Consultora Santa María, a firm led by also advisor Sebastián Ochoa.
The agricultural export company Agrícola Cerro Prieto confirms that between weeks 37 and 40 there is a shortage of labor in Lambayeque. “In those weeks is where the majority of farms in this area are at peak production. People want to get to their goal quickly and have an extra. They no longer want to go to farms with a lot of Biloxi,” says their agricultural manager, Alfredo Chan Way. For example, if a worker can take out about 25,000 kilos/person in eight hours, with a larger-sized fruit he can take out around 80,000 kilos/person.
Agrícola Cerro Prieto has some 1,120 hectares of blueberries in Chiclayo. In addition, this year they will have significant production volumes of POP and Beauty. Currently, the main varieties of the firm are Biloxi, Ventura and Rocio.
In this context, the POP and Beauty varieties were born, both of which are part of Fall Creek’s Sekoya program. At least three companies have incorporated these varieties into their portfolio: Agrícola Cerro Prieto, Agrovision and Agroberries. «Today I have planted two important varieties: POP and Beauty. In other words, by 2022 I will have five varieties in major productions,” confirms Chan. The varieties stand out for their larger berries, their flavor and for having a good ‘crunch’. Firmness helps them to be travelers and arrive in optimal conditions to destinations such as China. Advisor Mancilla says that the ideal is to have blueberries about 16 to 18 millimeters. “You are looking for a large fruit, but not excessively large. A larger volume fruit always tends to soften faster”, he complements.
According to the advisor, it is not only important to obtain large berries, but also to have consistency. “The other important thing is that their caliber is sustained throughout the campaign, that they don’t fall. It happens to us many times, Ventura is starting with an average of 3g and at the end of the campaign he drops to 2.5g. Years ago Biloxi ended up with an average of 2 grams or 1.8 grams. This has led to the desire to search for better varieties,” explains Mancilla.
Both varieties stand out for their more pleasant flavor. According to the consultant Mancilla, the Peruvian industry is looking for a better flavor, since the berry tends to be acidic. “Perhaps many times in Peru one does not realize it, but the fruit from Mexico, the north of the US and Chile is sweeter. In the Peruvian case, there is no temperature differential day and night, which is decisive at the time of fruit ripening. On the coast of Peru, we have a temperature differential of 5° C, the fruit goes from being very acidic to being a flat fruit, which loses its flavor. Trying to raise brix degrees, the fruit is left on the plant for a longer time. That causes him to be physiologically overripe. For this reason, the blueberry harvest index is the color, not the brix,” explains Mancilla.
An Incipient Path
Currently, in Peru the predominant varieties are Biloxi and Ventura. In 2021, 3,291 ha of Biloxi, 2,748 ha of Ventura and 643 ha of Rocio were registered in La Libertad, the main blueberry producing area. But, the hectare of POP and Beauty was maintained, reaching 43.2 ha and 11.34 ha, respectively, last year. In the case of Lambayeque, last year some 1,447 ha of Ventura, 397 ha of Rocio, 350 ha of POP, 324 ha of Beauty and 231 ha of Biloxi were counted in order of importance, according to Proarándanos. The year-on-year increase in the area dedicated to these varieties
in the area is notable. Last year the producing areas of Ica and Ancash had, for the first time, the presence of both varieties.
Variation of the hectare of blueberries in Beauty
2020 2021
La Libertad 11,14 11,34
Lambayeque 34,29 324,29
Ica – 5,3
Ancash – 24,92
Source: Proarándanos
A unique flavor that is pleasant to the palate, together with the search for larger berries and traveling fruits, will continue to make a difference when choosing the best genetic material. The club of blueberry growers that has POP and Beauty is even smaller, but it is anticipated that more farmers will obtain the respective licenses over time. “I think these varieties will continue to grow. They are just entering Peru”, anticipates Mancilla. If you would like to know more about our technology, contact us on our website www.harvestharmonics.com
Source: Red Agrícola – Miriam Romainville Izaguir
Press Room
Agricultural Technology for Farmers in India
Harvest HarmonicsTM New Biophysics Agricultural Technology For Farmers In India The Agricultural Biophysics technology, 20…
1
Organic Earth Tech, OETI, Launches One Million Dollar Technology
After hurricanes Maria and Irma, Puertorrican farmers are yet to receive the needed aid to recover. Organic Earth Tech…
0
Produce More From Less
CEO Harvest Harmonics Frank Arlia speaking at Replenish. Earth interview by Tia Kansara – London Climate Action Week. How…
0
Replenish Earth and the Environmental RE Talk Series
Replenish Earth and the environmental RE Talk Series event that reunited the top thinkers in the world Harvest Harmonics…
1
Berries: Growing Demand and Important Production Challenges
The growing interest in berries in the U.S.A. and Europe has prompted the global agricultural industry to implement innovative technology and developments. The growing berry demand has increased commercialization and competition among berry producers. These farmers already face tough and important challenges, including higher costs, reduced labor availability, water use restrictions, increased pest outbreaks of Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD), crop damage from pests, and more. Another challenge for berry producers is retaining consumer demand and remaining a stable supplier. Some of these challenges are mentioned in the report, “Five Berry Important Topics” which was written by Cindy Van-Rijswick, a Senior Specialist in Fresh Produce at Rabobank. The document was published by the Food and Agroindustry Research (FAR) department of Rabobank. However, the answers to these problems for berry producers are not simple. This blog will focus on five major problems for berry producers that were proposed in the latest version of the Global Berry Congress (GBC).
Increasing Demand
There has been an increase in the growth of the worldwide berry market and consumer demand. Farmers are expecting an especially significant increase in the global demand for the blueberry market. Berry farmers will need to increase the overall acreage devoted to berry crops or more farms must become berry producers to meet this new demand. However, these increases in berry demand vary based on location and per capita consumption levels of that country. This occurs even in regions that are considered mature markets, such as the European Union (E.U.). In the case of Asia, berry consumption is just beginning. However, there are five factors that will drive greater consumption of berries including greater availability, better quality, improved berry consistency, increased health awareness, and continued preference for convenience and affordability.
Higher Volume, Lower Prices
In recent years, an analyst named Cindy Van-Rijswick explained that both the E.U. and the U.S.A. are receiving a larger volume of blueberries. The increased quantity of berries being imported has affected the stability of berry prices. In Europe, berry prices stabilize between September and March. In the United States, berry prices stabilize between June-August and between October-March. Morocco, Mexico, and Peru are three more berry-producing countries that are also having a significant impact on the supply and pricing of blueberries.
In the coming years, Van-Rijswick foresees a growth in the global supply of blueberries and a decline in prices. This analyst indicated in her report that this is because “investments in blueberry plantations have not yet ended and recent plantations have not reached their full production capacity” (Van-Rijswick, 2022). In this scenario, Van-Rijswick identifies three advantages. Lower berry prices will promote the consumer consumption of berries. More availability of berries will translate into greater consumer access, larger berry containers, and lower prices. For example, the U.S.A. and Germany accept the arrival of low-cost and large clamshells of blueberries from Chile during supply peaks. Another advantage is that the larger clamshells can help reduce the use of plastic.
Plastic Packaging and Replacement Possibilities
One of the most debated topics in the berry industry is the use of plastic clamshells or containers. This is a complex issue considering that Spain and France have banned the packaging of fresh produce in plastic containers (in consumer format). Cindy Van-Rijswick stated that although delicate products such as berries are excluded, it is not ruled out that other countries will implement more intensive anti-plastic standards.
However, Van-Rijswick pointed out that in the case of berries, it is not so easy to do without plastic or to replace this material. “Alternatives such as cardboard packaging still have several disadvantages compared to plastic packaging” (Van-Rijswick, 2022). The disadvantages of using alternative packaging materials for berries are related to convenience, shelf life, food safety, visibility, durability, and costs. However, Van-Rijswick pointed out that there are berry companies that are looking for options to recycle and reduce plastic. Some producers even send blueberries in bulk (for example, an individual box of 3 kilograms) that is then packed at the destination according to the customer’s specifications. Regardless of the change, this would likely lead to higher costs.
Challenges For Production
In addition to the challenges discussed earlier, there are several other variables that make berry production and distribution more expensive including energy, labor, and transportation costs, berry damage from pests, and the price of fertilizers, agrichemicals, and other farm inputs. However, Van-
Rijswick pointed out that in the case of labor, what worries her the most is the low availability of workers and the high price of labor. To deal with this problem, she explained that companies resort to different options. For example, some producers switch to more premium cultivars for better quality and higher yields. Other producers have increased the acreage of blueberry cultivars that can be harvested mechanically by marketing this fruit in the frozen industry. Some producers have even partnered with inventors of new berry harvesting robots.
In the case of strawberries in Europe, farmers “are moving more and more towards greenhouse-covered production systems to increase labor productivity” (Van-Rijswick, 2022). In North America, we also see this trend as there has been “an increase in investments in the production of strawberries in controlled environments such as greenhouses” (Van-Rijswick, 2022). The goals for this transition are diverse and include preventing crop damage, increasing labor productivity, and increasing local production. In strawberries, the analyst specifies that “locality is a trend, but it has a cost” (Van-Rijswick, 2022).
However, Cindy Van-Rijswick warned that “the various cost increases will result in lower margins for growers or higher retail prices for berries” (Van-Rijswick, 2022). Will rising prices affect consumption? The analyst pointed out that at the recent Global Berry Congress, there were very conflicting opinions. Some believe that rising prices would lower berry consumption and lead the consumer to opt for lower cost fruits such as apples, oranges, bananas, etc. Others believe that the taste and healthy attributes of berries will keep consumption rising, despite price increases.
Focus On Quality
The analyst mentioned that there is a consensus in the industry that the quality and consistency of the berries is the most important factor. For many berry producers that are faced with the challenges mentioned above, the solution is to maintain quality. However, the understanding of berry quality among consumers is low. A survey carried out by Normec Foodcare on the consumer perception of blueberry quality indicated that in the Netherlands, approximately 1 in 3 buyers are satisfied with the taste of their berries. In Germany, 1 in 5 buyers are satisfied with the taste of their berries. The analyst states that “even if inconsistent quality has not prevented consumers from eating more and more berries, there is still a world of opportunities for the berry market, as long as the quality and availability are adequate” (Van-Rijswick, 2022).
Solutions
As we discussed earlier, the growing interest in berries in the U.S.A. and Europe has prompted the global agricultural industry to implement innovative technology and developments. The most important new agricultural technology that can help all farmers, especially the berry industry, is the Kyminasi Plant Booster (KPB). The KPB technology can help farmers achieve increased yields, better crop quality, greater vigor, increased disease resistance, and more nutrient-dense food while improving the environment. KPB is an easy-to-install, ready-to-go, set of advanced custom micro transmitters that utilize greater than 3,000 low-frequency radio waves that are attached to an irrigation system. Kyminasi Plant Booster is activated when water first flows past it. KPB is custom-sized for each farm and designed to work with all crops planted in soil. No power system or maintenance is required. This KPB irrigation device uses an advanced signaling system to boost photosynthesis and crop yields in plants. KPB works on all sizes of farms and we now even offer a home garden version.
Over 20 years of biophysics research has led to this breakthrough in improving plant health and increasing crop yields. Biophysics is the science of using the laws of physics to enhance biological function. Our researchers have studied plants’ natural processes such as root growth, nutrient and water absorption, photosynthesis, and more. The result is the most advanced crop booster technology in agriculture! Our device attaches to a farmer’s irrigation system and uses frequencies in water to amplify plants’ natural processes. Even animals fed with forage or fodder that has been treated with KPB have increased nutrient density and produce more yields, better quality, and more nutrient-dense milk, meat, and eggs.
Harvest Harmonics’ goal is to help farmers around the world grow healthier and better quality crops at lower costs. We help farmers achieve higher yields without harming the environment by rejuvenating the earth’s ecology and organic life through advanced new technology.
Source: Rabobank report
Press Room
Agricultural Technology for Farmers in India
Harvest HarmonicsTM New Biophysics Agricultural Technology For Farmers In India The Agricultural Biophysics technology, 20…
1
Organic Earth Tech, OETI, Launches One Million Dollar Technology
After hurricanes Maria and Irma, Puertorrican farmers are yet to receive the needed aid to recover. Organic Earth Tech…
0
Produce More From Less
CEO Harvest Harmonics Frank Arlia speaking at Replenish. Earth interview by Tia Kansara – London Climate Action Week. How…
0
Replenish Earth and the Environmental RE Talk Series
Replenish Earth and the environmental RE Talk Series event that reunited the top thinkers in the world Harvest Harmonics…
1
Advantages of Adopting Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)
In our last blog, we discussed that Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) standards are, “voluntary audits that verify that fruits and vegetables are produced, packed, handled, and stored to minimize risks of microbial food safety hazards” (U.S.D.A Agricultural Marketing Service, 2022). In this blog, we will continue to discuss the advantages of adopting Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). Some examples of the benefits of GAP standards include improving the sanitary conditions of the produce and preventing or minimizing the rejection of the produce in the market due to spoilage, transport damage, toxic residues, or other unsuitable characteristics in food taste or appearance for the consumer. GAP standards minimize the sources of contamination of agricultural products and implement hygiene standards during the production and harvesting of the crop. GAP standards open up possibilities for farmers to export to new countries and high-demand markets with potentially better opportunities and prices. GAP certification improves the value of the produce with a food safety certification.
Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) standards promote worker well-being and safety. This is achieved through training, care for labor and health aspects (prevention of accidents, gastrointestinal illnesses, hygiene), and good conditions in the workplace. GAP standards promote healthy food and helps promote that the food produced is suitable for consumption and free of contaminants such as agrichemical residues, heavy metals, pathogens, etc. GAP standards promote community health empowerment and sustainability. With GAP standards, producers have more bargaining power and added value to their products. In the future, GAP certifications may become a requirement for farmers and producers to access certain markets.
There is clear importance of GAP standards in agriculture, world trade, in caring for the environment, and the well-being of workers. Harvest Harmonics Inc. shares these values and would like to introduce the Kyminasi Plant Booster (KPB) technology that can help farmers achieve increased yields, better crop quality, greater vigor, increased disease resistance, and more nutrient-dense food while improving the environment. KPB is an easy-to-install, ready-to-go, set of advanced
custom micro transmitters that utilize greater than 3,000 low-frequency radio waves that are attached to an irrigation system. Kyminasi Plant Booster is activated when water first flows past it. KPB is custom-sized for each farm and designed to work with all crops planted in soil. No power system or maintenance is required. This KPB irrigation device uses an advanced signaling system to boost photosynthesis and crop yields in plants. KPB works on all sizes of farms and we now even offer a home garden version.
Over 20 years of biophysics research has led to this breakthrough in improving plant health and increasing crop yields. Biophysics is the science of using the laws of physics to enhance biological function. Our researchers have studied plants’ natural processes such as root growth, nutrient and water absorption, photosynthesis, and more. The result is the most advanced crop booster technology in agriculture! Our device attaches to a farmer’s irrigation system and uses frequencies in water to amplify plants’ natural processes. Even animals fed with forage or fodder that has been treated with KPB have increased nutrient density and produce more yields, better quality, and more nutrient-dense milk, meat, and eggs.
Harvest Harmonics’ goal is to help farmers around the world grow healthier and better quality crops at lower costs. We help farmers achieve higher yields without harming the environment by rejuvenating the earth’s ecology and organic life through advanced new technology.
Sources:
(U.S.D.A Agricultural Marketing Service, 2022)
https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/auditing/gap-ghp
Press Room
Agricultural Technology for Farmers in India
Harvest HarmonicsTM New Biophysics Agricultural Technology For Farmers In India The Agricultural Biophysics technology, 20…
1
Organic Earth Tech, OETI, Launches One Million Dollar Technology
After hurricanes Maria and Irma, Puertorrican farmers are yet to receive the needed aid to recover. Organic Earth Tech…
0
Produce More From Less
CEO Harvest Harmonics Frank Arlia speaking at Replenish. Earth interview by Tia Kansara – London Climate Action Week. How…
0
Replenish Earth and the Environmental RE Talk Series
Replenish Earth and the environmental RE Talk Series event that reunited the top thinkers in the world Harvest Harmonics…
1
What Are Good Agricultural Practice Standards in Farm Production Systems?
Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) standards are, “voluntary audits that verify that fruits and vegetables are produced, packed, handled, and stored to minimize risks of microbial food safety hazards. GAP audits verify adherence to the recommendations made in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables and industry-recognized food safety practices… GAPs focus is on post-harvest handling and proper cooling, handling, and storing of product. This can reduce spoilage, improve quality and ensure that you have the best quality produce for your customers” (U.S.D.A Agricultural Marketing Service, 2022). GAP audits set standards to positively regulate the combined actions that are carried out in the production of fruits and vegetables. These GAP standards include everything from the preparation of the land to the crop harvest, packaging and transport, product safety, the protection of the environment, and the health and welfare of workers.
The application of GAP standards and audits is currently not required. However, it is predicted in the future that GAP standards will provide a competitive edge in the larger local and international markets. Consumers are increasingly interested in obtaining safe and healthy food that has been produced in symbiosis with the environment and the well-being of farm workers. The GAP standards were born as new customer demands transferred to the suppliers. For the producer, the main advantage is being able to market a value-added product. The benefit for the consumer is in knowing that the produce is a safe, healthy, and high-quality food that when eaten does not present a health risk. These types of standards or certifications for a food product give the producer greater sales possibilities and better prices. Entering into GAP standards for producers means adopting previously proven management strategies, for which training on hygiene and safety, application of agrichemicals, handling during harvest, and others, is essential. It also means an expense or investment in time and money, both in training and in infrastructure, supplies, and services. The adoption of the GAP standards implies keeping records of all the farm activities that are carried out. This allows the producer to have a clearer and more organized vision of what is happening on the farm. In any case, each producer has to analyze the benefits of GAP certifications before embarking on this type of effort.
Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) standards were created out of a societal need for food safety. The current need for global environmental safety standards could push GAP standards to include agricultural environmental standards. These new standards could help society improve the health of the environment, reduce pollution overall, conserve biodiversity, and preserve natural resources, such as soil and water. The irresponsible use of agrichemical products has caused the global contamination of soil and water with chemical residues still remaining in the world environment today. The rising accumulation of agrichemicals in the global environment has caused a massive loss of biodiversity and ecology. Modern society’s most common agrichemicals have already done significant damage and are still poisoning humans, the environment, organisms, and all of ecology. Growing with reduced or no agrichemicals is good for the environment and has many benefits for farmers such as greater plant productivity and better soil health. This is maintained over time by avoiding the loss of soil fertility and preventing contamination of the water and soil. Good Agricultural Practice standards positively influence the well-being of farm workers and customers as the quality of life and hygiene are improved, health is attended to, and food borne poisoning is prevented.
There is clear importance of GAP standards in agriculture, world trade, in caring for the environment, and the well-being of workers. Harvest Harmonics Inc. shares these values and would like to introduce the Kyminasi Plant Booster (KPB) technology that can help farmers achieve increased yields, better crop quality, greater vigor, increased disease resistance, and more nutrient-dense food while improving the environment. KPB is an easy-to-install, ready-to-go, set of advanced custom micro transmitters that utilize greater than 3,000 low-frequency radio waves that are attached to an irrigation system. Kyminasi Plant Booster is activated when water first flows past it. KPB is custom-sized for each farm and designed to work with all crops planted in soil. No power system or maintenance is required. This KPB irrigation device uses an advanced signaling system to boost photosynthesis and crop yields in plants. KPB works on all sizes of farms and we now even offer a home garden version.
Over 20 years of biophysics research has led to this breakthrough in improving plant health and increasing crop yield. Biophysics is the science of using the laws of physics to enhance biological function. Our researchers have studied plants’ natural processes, namely root growth, nutrient and water absorption, and photosynthesis. The result is the most advanced crop booster technology in agriculture that attaches to a farmer’s irrigation system and uses water to amplify plants’ natural processes. Even animals fed with forage or fodder that has been treated with KPB have increased nutrient density and produce more yields, better quality, and more nutrient-dense milk, meat, and eggs.
Harvest Harmonics’ goal is to help farmers around the world grow healthier and better quality crops at lower costs. We help farmers achieve higher yields without harming the environment by rejuvenating the earth’s ecology and organic life through advanced new technology.
Contact us to Start Improving Your Crop Health and Yields Today!
Sources:
- (U.S.D.A Agricultural Marketing Service, 2022)
https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/auditing/gap-ghp
- The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Press Room
Agricultural Technology for Farmers in India
Harvest HarmonicsTM New Biophysics Agricultural Technology For Farmers In India The Agricultural Biophysics technology, 20…
1
Organic Earth Tech, OETI, Launches One Million Dollar Technology
After hurricanes Maria and Irma, Puertorrican farmers are yet to receive the needed aid to recover. Organic Earth Tech…
0
Produce More From Less
CEO Harvest Harmonics Frank Arlia speaking at Replenish. Earth interview by Tia Kansara – London Climate Action Week. How…
0
Replenish Earth and the Environmental RE Talk Series
Replenish Earth and the environmental RE Talk Series event that reunited the top thinkers in the world Harvest Harmonics…
1
Organic Matter Fertilizers: Which One Suits You The Most?
Organic agriculture can be described as a form of agriculture that uses sustainable natural resources and strategies such as the application of biofertilizers, biological pest control, and crop rotation. Thus, organic farmers use natural pesticides and fertilizers, which differs from traditional agriculture using synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and growth regulators to improve crop yields and hormones and antibiotics to increase meat and milk production in animals].
Considering the problems caused to the environment and human health by the overuse of synthetic agrochemicals, we present this alternative involving sustainable and ecofriendly materials, some of which are readily available.
Organic Matter Fertilizers
The enormous amounts of chemical fertilizers applied to increase crop production has polluted the water, soil, and air at a large scale. In turn, this has increased consumers’ mistrust concerning the quality and safety of food production. Organic farming has been promoted to restore soil health and fertility status through the addition of organic matter. This is a common practice among farmers because it improves physical, chemical, and biological soil properties, in addition to supplying plants with nutrients. Farmers need to return to traditional methods using crop residues and animal waste such as manure.
Some of the sources of organic manure are provided below:
Crop Residues
Crop residues are materials (non-photosynthetic plants) left on cultivated soils after crops have been harvested. They are considered an effective measure against erosion because they can improve soil structure, increase the soil organic matter content, reduce evaporation, and fix CO2 in the soil. Moreover, they can be used in the production of biofuel.
The usual practices of crop management include (1) disposal in landfills and (2) the incineration of these residues under minimally controlled conditions, which aggravates air pollution, in terms of increasing the emissions of particulate material, as well as increasing CO2 emissions. An improvement to this practice corresponds to the use of this biomass to generate energy in a sustainable way.
Moreover, the incorporation of these residues, as green manure, can provide nitrogen to the soil, through biological nitrogen fixation, increasing the supply of N to subsequent crops, allowing the reduction of chemical fertilizer applications. In general, most used green manure comes from legumes, although its exclusive use is not very advantageous because it provides a short period of supply of N due to its rapid decomposition (3–4 weeks), so it is not very suitable for application to crops that have a very long crop cycle [28]. In this sense, the effect of the use of green manure from legumes and non-legumes, independently and in combination, has been studied to improve the yield of various crops. In this way, the incorporation of green manure improves the chemical, biochemical, and microbiological characteristics of the soil. Considerable research has been done regarding the improvement in bacterial communities of soils undergoing treatment with green manure, finding that its application increased the diversity of the bacteria during decomposition. On the other hand, the use of certain green manures has allowed the control of weeds and nematodes, without affecting the crop yield, allowing these fertilizers to be used as biofumigants.
Animal Manure
Animal manure is used to fertilize crops and grasslands, leading to a relevant reduction in the use of N fertilizer. The availability of animal wastes is projected to rise in future decades, specifically in developing countries. The numerous organic manures of animal origin include bird manure (specifically poultry manure), bovine manure, sheep manure, and pig manure, among others. The availability and use of such manures for crop production depend on the geographical area, manure price, extent of manure production, and management [42–44]. Marta et al. [45] studied the influence of the application of animal manures in reducing the toxicity of soils contaminated with heavy metals, finding that their application corresponds to a good alternative of phytoremediation.
Compost
One of the most important management strategies for solid organic waste is composting, which is a process that involves the biooxidative decomposition of organic matter. Composting can produce high-quality products that are effective for application in agriculture, due to its cost-effectiveness, easy operation, and environmental friendliness. In this sense, the composting of cattle manure has a variety of agricultural benefits, such as decreasing the mass and water content, inhibiting pathogens, killing weed seeds, and producing stable and spreadable organic matter. For example, in Spain, farmers use a substitute approach for cattle manure management through composting on intensive livestock farms to obtain a healthier useful agricultural product.
The quality of the compost depends on factors such as the presence of inappropriate materials, such as glass or plastic, which can affect the concentration of heavy metals, electrical conductivity, and decomposition rate, among others. Within the composting process, greenhouse gases (GHGs) are produced, such as nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4), and ammonia (NH3). Although the generation of these GHGs is lower than when using livestock manure to improve the yield of certain crops, GHG emissions from compost can be reduced using chemical additives (salts of PO4 3−, Mg2+, superphosphate, gypsum, etc.) that promote chemical reactions in the compost substrate in relation to the renewal processes of N; physical additives (biochar, zeolites, bentonites, sand, soil, etc.), which adsorb or change the physical factors of the compost; and microbials (ammonia-oxidizing bacteria, etc.), i.e., microorganisms that affect the renewal processes of N.
Source: Duran-Lara, E. F., Valderrama, A., & Marican, A. (2020). Natural organic compounds for application in organic farming. Agriculture, 10(2), 41.
Press Room
Agricultural Technology for Farmers in India
Harvest HarmonicsTM New Biophysics Agricultural Technology For Farmers In India The Agricultural Biophysics technology, 20…
1
Organic Earth Tech, OETI, Launches One Million Dollar Technology
After hurricanes Maria and Irma, Puertorrican farmers are yet to receive the needed aid to recover. Organic Earth Tech…
0
Produce More From Less
CEO Harvest Harmonics Frank Arlia speaking at Replenish. Earth interview by Tia Kansara – London Climate Action Week. How…
0
Replenish Earth and the Environmental RE Talk Series
Replenish Earth and the environmental RE Talk Series event that reunited the top thinkers in the world Harvest Harmonics…
1