In a day full of learning and knowledge exchange, Fertum held a successful Field Day with a high presence of cherry producers. The event was attended by leading experts from the agricultural sector and aimed to publicize the advances and benefits of algae-based bioinputs developed by Patagonia Biotechnology.
Alberto Abascal, Country Manager of Patagonia Biotechnology, highlighted the importance of this type of activity that brings together farmers and actors in the production chain to share information and experiences.
“These events are key for farmers to achieve the production, quality and profitability objectives expected from the cherry business,” Abascal said.
Macarena Cruzat, head of the Research and Development (R&D) area of Patagonia Biotechnology, explained that the event aimed to publicize the company and the benefits of its bioinputs based on Chilean algae. To this end, two internationally renowned advisors, Lorena Barra and Carlos Tapia, participated, who presented relevant topics for cherry cultivation, such as soil microbiology and agronomic management of the crop, respectively.
Meanwhile, Lorena Barra, a specialist in R&D and collaborative entrepreneurship, was excited to participate in the development of technologies for agriculture, especially with Fertum. She highlighted the work carried out with algae and microorganisms as prebiotics and probiotics to promote plant growth in cherry orchards, showing a positive effect on the overall health of the orchard.
“We have seen that the incorporation of solid organic matter and liquid matter such as algae together with microorganisms have a positive effect on the general health of the garden,” analyzed Lorena Barra.
In turn, Carlos Tapia, a cherry specialist and technical director at Avium, praised the Fertum event, highlighting the importance of microorganisms in soil nutrition and health. He also shared his experience on the use of dormancy breakers and homogenizers in cherry cultivation in complex situations. His enriching analysis allowed attendees to understand and address the production challenges of each season.
“My topic was to talk about crop contingency, cold hours, experiences regarding the use of dormancy breakers, use of homogenizers in the past and what benefits could be obtained when complex situations arise, such as this year's, and also what we have experienced in recent years from a production point of view, which makes the analysis enriching, in order to try to achieve the productive potential of each year. A very good event with a large attendance of producers and I thank Fertum for this invitation,” Tapia pointed out.
It is worth mentioning that the Field Day organized by Fertum was well received by cherry producers, who appreciated the opportunity to learn about new technologies and approaches to improve their crops. The collaboration between Patagonia Biotechnology, together with the outstanding participation of experts Lorena Barra and Carlos Tapia, consolidated the relevance of bioinputs and sustainable technologies in the agricultural sector. The event became a favorable space to strengthen knowledge and collaboration in the Chilean fruit industry.
