This initiative, supported by a grant from the Department of Primary Sector, Food Sovereignty and Water Security of the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, has led to the installation of a network of 20 probes. These devices monitor crucial parameters such as soil moisture, salinity, and temperature in real-time, providing updated data to farmers for precise water management.
The technology, developed by the company Plantae, connects producers' mobile phones with information from beneath their plots. This not only optimizes irrigation by adjusting the quantity, duration, and frequency according to the crop's actual needs but also promotes better root development by controlling soil conditions.
“"In extreme situations such as traditional flood irrigation, savings of up to 80% can be achieved, while in more controlled drip irrigation environments in greenhouses, water savings reach 25%."
In a context like Gran Canaria, where rainy periods alternate with years of drought, this technological innovation is vital. It not only helps consolidate current production but also facilitates the expansion of cultivated areas, advancing towards the food sovereignty goals set by the island council. Currently, the association comprises 13 producers cultivating 10 hectares of this product, which is essential to the culture and history of Gáldar and Agaete.
To promote optimization and association, a technical training day will be held on May 14 in Puerto de las Nieves, Agaete. This event, part of the AgroAgaete program of the Agaete City Council and supported by the Island Association for Rural Development of Gran Canaria (AIDER) with LEADER funds from the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan, will bring together experts and farmers to discuss key aspects of cultivation and the importance of collaboration among producers.
