"Macro-tunnels improve production and make harvest scheduling possible"

"Macrotunnels improve production and make harvest programming possible"

23/02/2017

Chile experienced last year proof that climatic changes affect the different horticultural productions, and forecasts confirm that this is the trend for the years to come. The concept of protected agriculture begins to be part of the vocabulary of farmers before the need to reduce the effects that variable weather can have for their crops.

"In Chile the issue of climatic contingencies has ceased to be a bad coincidence. We are already several seasons that have suffered frost, wind, rain and hail in time of flowering and harvest, causing damage and losses in production, as well as causing very large economic losses for producers. The macro tunnel is a technology that offers controlled protection, which in turn helps to improve productivity and facilitates the programming of the harvest ", says Ignacio Kuncar, of Invertuneles.

The macrotúneles are light steel structures with translucent, pigmented or mesh plastic cover, which serves to create a semi-controlled microclimate that protects large areas of crops from climatic variables. "They are lightweight structures that offer the benefits of planning in the harvest, added to an increase in the productivity of the plant and in the quality of the fruit, since within one of its characteristics, it provides uniform sunlight throughout the day , making the plant grow in a balanced way "confirmed the spokesperson.

invertuneles_ Given the lack of labor, harvest planning is vital for producers in the region, as well as minimizing losses. "In some cases of blueberry crops in the country has suffered a loss of 25% or more due to frost and rainfall. With the use of macro-tunnels and the appropriate agronomic management, instead of having losses, it is possible to obtain a productive increase of at least one 20%. On the other hand, by allowing to advance production, there is more accessibility to seasonal workers, being able, due to the early availability of the fruit, to mean a differentiated price, generating in turn more income to the producer. In all aspects it is an investment that benefits the producer ", finished Kuncar.