AGRICO uses data to maximize cultivation and drive profitable sustainability

In 2020, AGRICO, located in Dolores Hidalgo, Mexico decided to equip their newest 12 hectares of high-tech cucumber greenhouses with the latest technologies and implement Plant Empowerment principles. In this project, LetsGrow.com worked with their partner Invermex and provided a complete integrated solution involving software and training in Data Driven Growing (DDG) and Plant Empowerment. This complete data-driven strategy resulted in an optimally empowered plant, a high-quality crop and maximum yield with minimal use of natural resources.

Founding AGRICO

With previous experience in open-field agriculture and under the name Agricultura Controlada SA de CV (AGRICO), their company was founded in 2005. Beginning with a group of investors who aspired to do business in protective agriculture in Mexico, in the beginning they mainly used shading systems and passive greenhouses.

Specializing in cucumber production, they took on the task of starting a project that would allow them to achieve the best results with optimization in the control and use of natural resources. This is how AGRICO in 2020, together with business partners Invermex and Hoogendoorn Latin America, started their business in 12 hectares of high-tech greenhouses located in the city of Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato. They decided to equip their greenhouses with the most innovative technology. They put into practice the principles of Plant Empowerment and started the Data Driven Growing training, given by the specialists of LetsGrow.com.

From low-tech greenhouse to complete data-driven cultivation

Javier Lopez, general manager of AGRICO explains how they got started, "We started producing in low-tech greenhouses. Here we teach ourselves to do business in an environment where we have almost no control. There are only a few things in which we can intervene, so you have to resign yourself to the little you can do to achieve certain results. Ultimately, the results you achieve are surrounded by a very high level of uncertainty". With the evolution of the market and increasing demands for quality, volume and safety, producing and guaranteeing first-class products became a more complex challenge. Therefore, AGRICO decided to invest in high-tech and wanted to adopt the latest generation of techniques, such as Data Driven Growing from LetsGrow.com.

Starting to gather the right knowledge

During the first year of operations, AGRICO staff received training in Plant Empowerment principles from the experts at LetsGrow.com. During this training, they learned how to apply Data Driven Growing and put it into practice. Javier Lopez: "Knowing what is going to happen to your crop and your production is essential in this business. That's why we started LetsGrow.com. LetsGrow.com and their MyLetsGrow platform allow us to know what conditions you are giving to your plants according to their needs."

With LetsGrow.com, you get a quick overview of your strategy, whether it is strengthening your crop and whether the process computer's actions are producing results. In addition, LetsGrow.com acts as a coach and provides advice on what a grower can do to improve the greenhouse environment and how natural resources can be optimally utilized. You therefore produce to the maximum with fewer resources. This also results in you not having to apply fungicides because you can ensure the health of your plants. In Javier's words "The best fungicide is a plant that is in its prime." That's good for your business and good for the planet.

LetsGrow.com as their main tool for a data-driven cultivation strategy

Alejandro Resendiz, Production Manager at AGRICO's high-tech greenhouses, has now made LetsGrow.com his main tool. Not only because of the ease with which he can view the data, but also because it allows him to see more details than through traditional data on his computer. Alejandro explains: "As a grower, I tend to look mainly at the climate panels. I rely a lot on the Radiation-Temperature Ratio (RTR) panel and the behavior of the Vapor Pressure Difference (VPD) to properly manage the conditions for our plants. This is based on what Plant Empowerment recommends. But the use of the pest and disease module, irrigation and physiology panel also provide excellent information that complements the strategy."

Resendiz concludes, "Having full insight into the crop with LetsGrow.com, allows me to act in advance to prevent undesirable conditions at the plants. An example is the use of screens to prevent plant stress or the ability to monitor in real time if the plant is active and take action to keep it that way. We believe this is the way of cultivation for now and the future."

Are you also curious how a data-driven strategy can boost your cultivation process? Then get in touch with us!