The Minister of Agriculture, Esteban Valenzuela, the Executive Director of FIA, Francine Brossard, and the Seremi of Agriculture of Maule, Ana Muñoz, visited the Curicana company C.Abud&Cía to learn about the progress of an innovative project that studies the effectiveness of pollinating cherry orchards using drones, as a complementary option to natural pollinators.
With 30 years of work in the area, the fruit company implemented its Research, Development and Innovation Department in 2015, with a team in charge of researching and finding innovative solutions to the main production concerns of the industry. In this area, they have received support from FIA to carry out initiatives with an impact in the fruit world, such as the cultivation of cherry trees under low-density plastic covers and the current use of drones.
The authorities used their experience as an example to invite other companies and producers from Maule to participate in the FIA call for proposals that co-finance innovation projects, which is open until October 20 and can provide up to 120 million pesos.
Precision Agriculture
Minister Valenzuela highlighted the company's work “pioneer in precision agriculture and innovative agriculture in the province of Curicó. Notable in the contribution to reducing water use, making rational fertilization and in this case, innovating in the use of pollination processes complementary to traditional ones, which in situations of climate change can be fundamental to assume adaptation”.
FIA Executive Director Francine Brossard said that the fruit industry has an opportunity to connect with innovation. “We are proud to showcase these types of projects that combine technology and fruit growing. They give us an example of how beekeeping can complement precision technology. This innovation project is an excellent example of what we can continue to support as an innovation foundation.”
For this reason, the director recalled that the national call is open until October 20 for the different actors of the national agricultural world, although “We have an emphasis on supporting rural women, rural youth, indigenous communities, cooperatives, family farming and small-scale agriculture,” he pointed out.
For her part, the Seremi of Agriculture, Ana Muñoz, highlighted the importance of the issue for the Maule agriculture: “For us, the work that FIA has done together with our agricultural services is fundamental. We call on our producers to join these initiatives. FIA has an open competition to which they can apply in a very accessible way and this is very important to incorporate innovation into our farms,” said.
Young team
Christian Abud, manager of the company, thanked the visit and highlighted the support that the portfolio has given them through the foundation: “We have been involved in the fruit industry for over 30 years and we have had excellent support and communication from FIA executives. These initiatives represent a greater responsibility for us because they are public funds that must be focused on in order to have an impact on the fruit industry,” he said.
“Behind the company there is a young, powerful, talented team with a social sense. It is possible to make fruit growing profitable and to bring that spirit to our team, our workers and the entire industry,” added Christian Abud.
In this regard, the minister highlighted the company's comprehensive approach: “Efficient agriculture that is also committed to its communities, given that it is also a company that does social work with foundations linked to children, which is exemplary in social responsibility.”
The visit to the company was also attended by the National Deputy Director of INDAP, Pía Alfaro, and the head of the INDAP Curicó area, Roberto Barra; the director of INIA Raihuén, Carmen Gloria Morales, and the regional coordinator of FIA Maule, Robert Giovanetti. The regional councilors Giovanna Paredes and Roberto García, as well as Boris Durán, Manager of the Curicó productive development corporation, representing Mayor Javier Muñoz, also learned about the project.
Call for applications
Applications must be submitted through the Foundation's online application platform (convocatoria.fia.cl) until October 20 at 3:00 p.m.
The aim of this competition is to help finance projects that provide innovative solutions to problems or opportunities in the forestry, agricultural and/or agri-food sector.
Ideas must be in line with one of FIA's three strategic guidelines: sustainable water resource management, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and sustainable food systems.
The bases are available on the FIA website (www.fia.cl) and questions can be sent until October 13 to [email protected].
The maximum FIA contribution amount is $120,000,000, equivalent to 90% of the total cost of the proposal and the counterparty must make a minimum contribution of 10% of the total cost of the proposal.
