The Challenge

INIA’s previous method for managing fertilization and irrigation recommendations relied heavily on Excel spreadsheets, which were complex, time-consuming, and difficult for new users to interpret. The manual nature of the system led to inefficiencies, limiting the ability to quickly adapt recommendations based on real-time environmental conditions. Additionally, INIA required a solution that could integrate real-time weather station data to improve decision-making and optimize resource usage.
Given these challenges, INIA needed an advanced yet user-friendly platform that could automate calculations, centralize data, and provide real-time insights to support agricultural professionals in optimizing irrigation and fertilization strategies.

People experiencing VR demonstration at agriculture technology expo booth
Tablet showing project list and phone showing dashboard UI for farm data app.

The Solution

FertiRIEGO was developed as a web-based platform that optimizes irrigation and fertilization decisions for greenhouse crops. Built using local research and integrating the VegSyst DSS model from the University of Almería, it simulates nutrient absorption and evapotranspiration based on real-time climatic data.
Key features of FertiRIEGO include:
Automated irrigation and fertilization calculations, improving precision and reducing manual workload.
Integration with real-time weather data, ensuring recommendations are adapted to climate conditions.
Centralized data management, eliminating inefficiencies from scattered spreadsheets.
Mobile-friendly web platform, accessible from any device and integrated into INIA’s Super App.
Enhanced security and user roles, ensuring data protection and controlled access.
By automating processes and consolidating data, FertiRIEGO improves accuracy, saves time, and enhances decision-making for INIA’s researchers and agronomists.

The Result

The implementation of FertiRIEGO marks a significant advancement in crop management efficiency at INIA. The ability to access real-time climate data and automate complex irrigation and fertilization calculations significantly enhances resource efficiency, reducing water and fertilizer waste while promoting environmental sustainability.
With all critical agricultural data centralized in one intuitive platform, the challenges associated with manual spreadsheet management are eliminated. This not only saves time but also reduces human error, improving the overall accuracy of agricultural planning. Additionally, visual data representations and analytics provide clear insights into soil nutrient concentrations and crop requirements, enabling proactive and informed decision-making.
By adopting FertiRIEGO, INIA strengthens its position as a leader in agricultural innovation, ensuring greater competitiveness in an evolving agricultural market while supporting the long-term sustainability of greenhouse crop production.

Ferti RIEGO INIA logo over field irrigation system background

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