That Spain is a world agricultural power is beyond doubt. While in the European Union as a whole, agriculture accounts for 1.2% of GDP, in our country the figure isl 2,4%. In addition, our exports of agricultural products account for more than 50 billion per year. But it is not only the quantitative figures that must add to the picture of our capacity. We must also pay attention to an important qualitative issue. We are one of the most innovative agricultural countries in the world. Especially in recent years, farmers have become increasingly aware that only a more technified and efficient agriculture can help to solve the cost problems that we usually suffer. However, we suffer from a major sustainability problem that we must not ignore.
This is the overexploitation of our resources in order to maintain this productive efficiency. One third of our country's aquifers are facing this situation. This, together with the persistent droughts, leaves us with a bleak scenario for our future. Furthermore, according to data from the Ministry for Ecological Transition, more than half of our underground water reserves are contaminated. This is due to nitrates or other products derived from the fertilisers and phytosanitary products we use in agriculture.
At Mochana Green we work in the search for productive efficiency. But we know that this cannot be done in exchange for undermining the sustainability of our ecosystem. And, least of all, by mistreating the aquifer support that humans need for our survival. That is why our commitment to production is focused on the recirculating hydroponic systems.
What does this mean? Well, two realities that serve to nip in the bud the problem outlined in the previous paragraphs.
- We are committed to installations where the water recirculates in hydroponic lines. In other words, after watering our crops, the water is collected in drainage circuits and is used again for irrigation after being filtered, analysed and supplemented with the necessary nutrients.
- The water remains in the irrigation circuit, either before it is fed with the corresponding fertilisers or after it has been used for irrigation. It is continuously recirculated without ever being deposited in the soil, so that it does not contribute to groundwater contamination in any way.
We work with the recirculating hydroponic line system from New Growing System. As can be seen in the picture, we plant in a multi-band system. At the top of the band (1) is where the substrate is placed and the crop is planted. This is where the drip irrigation takes place. The lower part of the (2) drains and channels it to the recirculation tank.
Our greenhouses are equipped with an irrigation head that automates the supply of nutrients according to the analysis to which we continuously subject the water we use. The system injects the water into the irrigation circuit, collects the water from the drainage pipes and, after filtering and analysis, returns it to the multi-bands.
With this system we aim to minimise the consumption of water resources as well as to achieve a zero waste plan. And both are absolutely necessary for the sustainability of the ecosystem in which we live. Technology at the service of a more productive and sustainable agriculture.
The images used are the property of New Growing System.