In a significant development in the world of precision agriculture, Orbia Advance Corporation’s S.A.B. de C.V. Precision Agriculture business group, known for its irrigation solutions under the Netafim brand, has announced a strategic partnership with Phytech LTD. This collaboration aims to enhance irrigation practices for farmers across the globe, leveraging cutting-edge technology to optimize crop health and resource use.
Netafim, a pioneer in precision irrigation, serves millions of farmers in over 110 countries, helping them to maximize yields while minimizing resource consumption. The partnership with Phytech, an agtech company recognized for its innovative plant and tree-based irrigation recommendations, is set to further this mission. Phytech has developed a user-friendly mobile platform that employs predictive algorithms and data analysis tools. This technology integrates continuous monitoring of crop health with environmental data, generating real-time recommendations for farmers.
One of the standout features of Phytech’s platform is its hydraulic monitoring capabilities. By providing clear visibility into critical components such as tank levels, pumps, filters, and valves, the system enables farmers to detect problems in real-time and perform predictive maintenance on their irrigation systems. Traditionally, growers have relied on manual checks or have only identified issues after damage has occurred, leading to wasted resources and potential crop loss. With Phytech’s technology, farmers can respond swiftly to any irrigation-related problems, significantly improving operational efficiency.
The partnership will utilize Orbia Netafim’s extensive distribution and service network to deliver real-time feedback on irrigation operations to their mutual customers. By integrating Phytech’s technology with GrowSphere™, Netafim’s all-in-one irrigation operating system, the collaboration aims to provide deeper insights into irrigation environments. This integration will enable farmers to monitor their systems more accurately and swiftly, addressing issues such as water waste, fertilizer waste, and low pressure—common problems that can lead to system malfunctions and increased costs.
Ofer Oveed, Senior Vice President of Technology and Crops at Orbia Precision Agriculture (Netafim), emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating, “By integrating Phytech’s technology with our GrowSphere operating system, we will enhance our technology portfolio, providing better support and visibility for our growers. This collaboration aligns with our commitment to advancing precision irrigation and delivering superior solutions to our customers.”
Phytech’s CEO, Oren Kind, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the global potential of their combined technologies. “By teaming up with Netafim, active in precision irrigation, we are poised to extend the reach of our technology worldwide. This partnership marks a major milestone for our company,” he remarked.
The implications of this partnership are far-reaching. As agriculture faces increasing pressures from climate change, resource scarcity, and a growing global population, the need for efficient farming practices has never been more critical. By harnessing advanced technology to provide real-time insights and recommendations, this collaboration aims to empower farmers to make informed decisions that enhance productivity while conserving vital resources.
In a landscape where sustainability is paramount, the integration of Phytech’s predictive tools with Netafim’s irrigation expertise represents a significant step forward in the quest for smarter, more sustainable agricultural practices. As the partnership unfolds, it will be interesting to observe how these innovations translate into tangible benefits for farmers and the wider agricultural community.