As we all know, we are going through difficult times, and the fruit sector in particular, which requires us to evaluate, optimize as much as possible and prioritize our business in order to maintain competitiveness or survival. The technical knowledge of our orchards, the commercial scenario for our products, the available working capital, the cost of inputs, the availability of water, among others, are vital aspects to make correct decisions in this area, but, above all, a good analysis and non-emotional economic exercise are more key than ever at this time.
In this regard, we suggest considering some priority aspects:
1.- Availability of water in a realistic scenario (low or normal rainfall depending on the area).
We cannot produce more than we can afford with the water available. It seems obvious, but it is not always the case for everyone.
2.- Profitability of productive units.
This part is the hardest. Identifying units that are not renting and diverting resources, in the hope of improving them.
It is preferable to stop working a sector, even more so if this could affect those who will rent the land. We need to take a break from the widespread culture of having everything planted, making production happen at any cost or simply misallocating scarce resources.
3.- Re-evaluate/improve tasks that are taken for granted as working well.
Among other things:
– Review irrigation systems to optimize water delivery and fertilization.
– Better identify irrigation sectors, relating them to soil analysis, variety and rootstock needs, production level and others that allow for distribution
in a better way the resource.
– Calibrate machinery to make the application of phytosanitary products and fertilizers more efficient and effective.
4.- Optimize nutrient intake.
– Strengthen nutrient reserves in post-harvest, ideally foliar and root, through organic amendments that will also contribute to a larger root system and
more robust.
– Conduct soil analysis to establish an optimized nutritional program, always observing the characteristics of the garden, its production history and quality, and not losing sight of the fact that the availability of nutrients in the soil will also depend on the type and characteristics of the soil, as well as on each element in particular.
– Promote root growth for better soil exploration in spring.
– Water analysis, 2 or 3 during the season to determine its condition and contribution
nutritional.
– Water well. Properly supplying the crop’s water needs is the “first” and most important fertilization.
– Select the fertilization source appropriately, trying to optimize resources, technical requirements of the species and site conditions.
– Review the timing and quantity of fertilizer application, depending on the fertilizer itself and demand; phenological stage, condition (soil/plant) and productivity.
– Establish foliar programs with clear and precise objectives by phenological state.
– Prioritize good overall plant performance, rather than relying on solutions
punctual.
5. Pruning management.
It must be very well supervised and strategically executed, based on the productive conditions and considering the age of the orchard, expected/desired productivity, as well as the actual availability of labor, flow needs, diversity of plantations and others more specific to the reality of each producer.
Whenever necessary, we will have to start over again, in order to prevail as agriculture has always done.
Stalin Alvarez Arros
Agricultural Engineer PUC
[email protected]
