During our phase of project review and analysis post season, we were able to talk with the team from Agrícola El Peumo to understand in detail how our equipment has operated, and what data they can provide us to continue improving our product or logistics. Here we share a bit of what they have experienced with their avocados.
Fundo El Peumo, located in Puangue, Melipilla, in the Metropolitan Region of Chile, exemplifies the use of technologies to protect crops against extreme weather phenomena. This farm covers 25 hectares of Hass avocado cultivation, started in the spring of 2021. From its inception, the farm faced severe frost episodes, threatening the yield and production of the trees.
Climate challenge: frost in the area
The first winter post-planting, in 2022, the farm suffered severe frosts with temperatures dropping to -2 °C for several hours, causing significant damage to the crops. The absence of frost control systems resulted in considerable impact. Although the temperatures were less extreme in the following season, frost remained a recurring threat, especially in the lower areas of the terrain, between 200 and 220 meters above sea level.
Solution: Frost control system
In the winter of 2023, the team implemented a water-based frost control system to protect the crops. This system effectively handled temperatures as low as -2 °C for several hours, preventing damage to trees and fruits, despite the delayed development of the trees due to the initial severe frost.
The implementation of the system did not require substantial modifications to the existing irrigation infrastructure. The available water flow from a canal fed by the Maipo River effectively controlled the 5 lowest hectares of the project where the frost risk was highest. The system's flexibility made adaptation to irrigation and frost control needs easy, ensuring efficient operation without operational complications.
Results and benefits
The implementation of the irrigation system allowed the farm to save much of its Hass avocado production and harvest high-quality fruit, without frost damage. The system protected the fruit and maintained the long-term health of the trees, ensuring their future productivity.
The case of Fundo El Peumo highlights the importance of more sustainable technological solutions to face the challenges of climate change in agriculture. The implementation of the frost control system has been crucial for ensuring the continuity of Hass avocado production, demonstrating that proper planning and the use of appropriate technologies enable climate risk mitigation and ensure the long-term sustainability of crops.
