Innovation initiatives

The agronomist Héctor Mateo Rodríguez Aguirre is part of the Santa Blanca agricultural society, located in the commune of Chillán and dedicated to the production of blueberries. In their quest to grow, innovate, be more competitive in the market, and sustainable with the environment, they applied for a project with sustainable investment characteristics, a Corfo IPRO. "I think it is the number one responsibility we have with the world and the next generations," says the producer.

Solar panels

With the project, administered by Fedefruta, they were able to finance a solar panel plant of approximately 51 kv for its production, in addition to its support structure to generate the energy that feeds its irrigation system.

Regarding the administration of the project, Mateo Rodríguez highlights the management of the operating agent, commenting that "it was very good, both in time and deadlines, to thank the regional manager Gustavo Méndez for his cooperation and availability."

Sustainability

The installation of solar panels generates independence from electric light for irrigation in the blueberry orchard, reducing the carbon footprint and allowing them to save on electricity consumption (once the photovoltaic panel is installed and amortized, the energy obtained is free ), in addition to becoming independent from the supply network and facilitating access to water in areas where it is difficult to obtain.

Another of the results of the project is the environmental benefit by reducing the general pollution of the Agrícola Santa Blanca production system, there is a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the system and the carbon footprint indicator in its final product is reduced .