Key Takeaways
- Netafim and Bayer expand their collaboration to launch digital farming solutions for fruit and vegetable growers.
- Bayer introduces HortiView, a digital platform that simplifies primary data collection and sharing for growers.
- Netafim integrates irrigation insights and connectivity to its GrowSphere™ system within HortiView.
- The partnership aims to address fragmented digital tools in horticulture, helping growers maximize production while minimizing environmental impact.
- Feedback from grower advisors will inform future deployment of the new solutions.
Addressing Horticulture’s Digital Challenges
Netafim, a division of Orbia’s Precision Agriculture business, and Bayer announced an expansion of their strategic collaboration, beginning with new digital farming solutions tailored for fruit and vegetable growers.
The new solutions focus on simplifying data collection and creating tailored recommendations, enabling growers to optimize crop production and resource use while reducing environmental impact.
Chris Pienaar, Fruit & Vegetable Digital New Value Lead at Bayer Crop Science, highlighted the challenges growers face with existing digital tools: “Digital technology offers tremendous value in horticulture, but those digital tools rarely work together, and it’s been extremely difficult for growers to use their own data in data models that can help them optimize crop production.”
Introducing HortiView and Enhanced Irrigation Solutions
As part of the collaboration:
- Bayer has launched HortiView, a platform designed to streamline data collection and sharing for fruit and vegetable cultivation. It integrates connected agronomic services, simplifying decision-making and enabling data-driven practices.
- Orbia Netafim has developed tailored irrigation insights that integrate with HortiView. These insights generate recommendations based on growers’ specific environments and practices.
- The platform will also connect with Netafim’s GrowSphere™, an all-in-one operating system for irrigation, fertigation, and crop protection.
Ofer Oveed, SVP Technology and Crops at Orbia Precision Agriculture, commented: “By leading the digital farming revolution together, we can deliver food security through sustainable agriculture.”
Feedback and Future Plans
A select group of grower advisors are currently testing the solutions and providing feedback. This phased approach ensures the system meets the needs of growers before broader deployment.
A Legacy of Collaboration
The expanded partnership builds on a longstanding relationship between Bayer and Netafim. Previous initiatives include:
- The Better Life Farming initiative, supporting smallholder farmers.
- Collaborative projects for the EU’s Farm2Fork initiative.
- Crop protection solutions for U.S. almond growers.
The two companies aim to continue exploring opportunities for digital connectivity across agriculture, enhancing value chains and optimizing sustainability practices.
Orbia’s Netafim Latest News
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Announces Strategic Partnership with Agtech Innovator Phytech (2024/10/09)
Orbia Advance Corporation’s Precision Agriculture business group, Netafim, has partnered with Phytech LTD, an Agtech company specializing in plant and tree-based irrigation recommendations. Netafim will integrate Phytech’s advanced technology into its GrowSphere™ platform, providing real-time monitoring and precision solutions for crop irrigation systems. Phytech’s mobile platform integrates predictive algorithms and data analysis tools for continuous crop health monitoring, providing real-time insights into key irrigation components. The technology eliminates the need for manual checks or post-damage detection, improving operational efficiency. Netafim’s GrowSphere™ operating system will offer data-driven recommendations, detecting issues like water or fertilizer waste and low pressure. The partnership will enhance Netafim’s technology portfolio and provide better support and visibility for growers.
Unveils GrowSphere to Enhance Precision Irrigation and Fertigation (2024/09/05)
Orbia’s Precision Agriculture business group, Netafim, has launched GrowSphere, an operating system designed to automate precision irrigation and fertigation for farmers worldwide. The system integrates digital farming technologies like IoT, cloud computing, and data analytics with Netafim’s agronomic expertise. GrowSphere combines hydraulic, operational, and agronomic functions into a single platform, allowing farmers to monitor and control irrigation processes remotely. It maximizes crop yields while minimizing water and fertilizer usage, and offers real-time updates on soil, weather, and irrigation status. GrowSphere has proven successful in various environments, with notable savings in fertilizer, water, and energy usage.
Netafim’s Study Highlights Environmental Benefits of Drip Irrigation for Potato Cultivation (2024/07/15)
Netafim’s Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) on potato cultivation demonstrates the environmental advantages of using drip irrigation over rain gun systems. The study, conducted in Norfolk, East Anglia, reveals that drip irrigation reduces Global Warming Potential (GWP) by 54% for fresh potatoes and lowers water consumption by 40% for processed potatoes compared to rain guns. As demand for potato products rises, these findings highlight drip irrigation’s role in conserving water and reducing environmental impact. Netafim’s Max Moldavsky emphasized the importance of adopting sustainable practices, while Potato Solutions’ Tim Kitson noted the technology’s adaptability, particularly in water-scarce regions.
Orbia’s Impact on Agriculture Technology: Precision Agriculture (Netafim) (2024/04/26)
In Q1 2024, Orbia’s Precision Agriculture segment, branded as Netafim, reported $256 million in sales, reflecting a 7% decrease from the previous year, although EBITDA slightly increased by 1%. Netafim, which specializes in advanced irrigation systems and digital farming technologies, aims to boost crop yields and reduce resource use, addressing global challenges such as water scarcity. Despite significant revenue declines in North America and Europe (23% and 22%, respectively), South America showed relative stability with only a 2% drop. Orbia has intensified cost reduction efforts and continued investments in technology and infrastructure to support long-term growth. The company remains committed to sustainability, as evidenced by its investments in green technologies and efforts to reduce its environmental footprint. CEO Sameer Bharadwaj emphasized the execution of long-term strategies to generate sustainable shareholder value while maintaining a strong balance sheet.
Read the complete financial results here.
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Orbia Advance Corporation, S.A.B. de C.V. (BMV: ORBIA) reported its unaudited results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2023, demonstrating resilience in a challenging economic climate. Despite the headwinds, the company sustained strong operating cash flows and a robust balance sheet. Orbia’s financial performance in 2023 was marked by contrasts, reflecting the impact of external market forces. Looking ahead, Orbia remains focused on maintaining operational discipline, enhancing performance, and managing costs effectively.
Sustainable Agriculture Innovation at World Ag Expo (2024/02/14)
Netafim USA is a company that provides sustainable farming solutions. They emphasize the need for precision irrigation solutions to address changing climate conditions, fluctuating commodity prices, and increasing consumer demand for sustainable products. They have developed innovative approaches like the SDI-E system, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90%. They also promote water efficiency and crop productivity through subsurface drip irrigation (SDI). At the World Ag Expo, Netafim showcases its extensive product range, including precision irrigation solutions that underscore its leadership in sustainable agriculture.
ReGen™ Recycling Certification (2023/11/08)
Netafim’s ReGen™ AgVantage Certification Program represents a pioneering step in sustainable agriculture, offering the industry’s first fully circular dripline recycling solution to minimize environmental impact and support grower sustainability. Certified by SCS Global Services, this initiative not only turns waste into new, high-quality irrigation products but also allows partner growers to become Certified Irrigation Plastics Recyclers, enhancing their sustainability scores and corporate image. Through this program, Netafim underscores its commitment to helping the agriculture sector “grow more with less,” reinforcing its foundational mission towards environmental stewardship and sustainability.
Manitoba’s First Large-Scale Greenhouse by Netafim & Vermillion (2023/10/26)
Manitoba marks a significant advancement in sustainable agriculture by opening its first large-scale vegetable greenhouse, a collaboration between Orbia’s Precision Agriculture business, Netafim, and Vermillion Growers. Focusing on tomatoes, the facility aims to revolutionize Canada’s reliance on imported vegetables by offering locally grown, fresher produce, thereby reducing food spoilage and waste. Employing cutting-edge sustainable technologies like rainwater collection and double-screen systems for energy efficiency, the greenhouse is a beacon of sustainability and community support. It has created jobs, provided training to the local and Ukrainian communities, and set a new standard for sustainable, local agriculture, promising a fresher, more connected future for Manitoba and beyond.
Orbia’s Precision Agriculture Segment Shows Resilience Amid Overall Q3 Decline (2023/10/26)
In its 2023 third-quarter report, Orbia Advance Corporation, S.A.B. de C.V. (BMV: ORBIA) faced overall declining revenues and EBITDA, but its Precision Agriculture segment, operating under the Netafim brand, stood out with increased revenues and EBITDA, showcasing resilience amidst broader challenges. The segment reported a 12% year-over-year revenue increase to $250 million and a 54% rise in EBITDA to $19 million, with a notable increase in the EBITDA margin to 7.4%. This success was mainly due to strong sales in Asian, Latin American, and European markets, countering reduced U.S. demand and elsewhere demand. Orbia’s CEO acknowledged the segment’s performance as aligned with the company’s commitment to sustainable agriculture. The Precision Agriculture segment, offering advanced irrigation and digital farming technologies, plays a strategic role in Orbia’s portfolio by promoting efficient and sustainable agricultural practices worldwide.
Read more here.
Netafim’s Sustainable Shift: Certified Recycling in Irrigation (2023/09/21)
Netafim, an Orbia business and leader in precision irrigation, has recently earned the esteemed SCS Recycled Content Certification for its ReGen™ recycling program in California, affirming its commitment to sustainable production. This certification validates using materials diverted from waste streams in product manufacturing, ensuring accurate recycled content claims. Netafim’s ReGen Recycling Facility, operational since 2007, has been at the forefront of recycling end-of-life irrigation tubing into high-quality inputs for new products, demonstrating a nearly two-decade commitment to eco-friendly practices. This recognition bolsters Netafim’s and Orbia Precision Agriculture’s reputations as pioneers in sustainable agriculture and global resource conservation. With a history dating back to 1965 and operations in over 110 countries, Netafim advocates for efficient resource use. Orbia’s broader mission seeks to enrich lives and promote a circular economy across various sectors.
Netafim & E20 Investment Ink MOU to Further Sustainable Ag Globally (2023/08/17)
Netafim, a subsidiary of Orbia, has entered into a strategic Memorandum of Understanding with UAE-based E20 Investment to advance sustainable agriculture and precision irrigation in the UAE and beyond. This collaboration aims to leverage the strengths of Orbia Netafim and Agritek, an E20 subsidiary, to combat desertification and integrate digital tools into agriculture and landscaping projects, with a broader vision to enhance food security across the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia. Both parties express a strong commitment to ecological agricultural practices and the development of sustainable farming methods. This partnership, marked by a significant gathering of leaders from both organizations, represents a pivotal step towards fostering globally sustainable agriculture and addressing pressing food security and environmental challenges.
Orbia’s Precision Agriculture Business Netafim Reveals First Carbon Credits Initiative for Global Rice Growers at COP27 (2022/11/10)
Netafim, part of Orbia, has launched the world’s first carbon credit program for drip-irrigated rice, aiming to nearly eliminate methane emissions from rice cultivation and provide additional income to farmers. Rice, a staple for over half the global population, is a significant consumer of freshwater and a contributor to methane emissions. Using pioneering drip irrigation technology, Netafim offers a sustainable alternative to traditional rice farming, drastically reducing water, fertilizer, and energy use while nearly eliminating methane emissions and arsenic uptake. This innovative approach enhances rice production efficiency and supports farmers through carbon credits, each representing a ton of CO2 equivalent emissions reduction. The program, exemplifying Orbia’s commitment to global food security and environmental health, is set to revolutionize rice farming practices globally, starting with its first project in Venice, Italy. It will be available to farmers worldwide in 2023.
Netafim Launches Recycling Program in Mexico To Tackle Plastic Waste (2022/10/16)
Orbia’s precision agriculture business, Netafim, has inaugurated Mexico’s most significant agricultural plastics recycling facility in Culiacán, boasting an initial capacity of over 3,000 tons of plastic per year. This facility, situated in Mexico’s agricultural core, is designed for full circularity and will process used driplines from any manufacturer into new, high-quality driplines, reflecting Netafim’s commitment to zero waste and sustainable end-of-life plastic treatment. With over 170,000 tons of regenerated plastic used globally in recent years, Netafim’s ReGen Circularity Program is part of a broader effort to include at least 45% recycled content in all its driplines by 2030. The Culiacán plant, equipped with a water recirculation system, clean energy sources, and advanced quality control, supports Mexico’s significant agricultural exports by providing a sustainable solution to the country’s 300,000 tons of agricultural waste annually, aligning with Netafim’s mission to make farming environmentally responsible.
Image provided by Netafim
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