Avocado Innovation Operational Group

To improve avocado cultivation productivity through the application of advanced technologies and sustainable practices.

Farm challenges

• Unplanned expansion: The crop has expanded rapidly without adequate planning, which can affect sustainability and productivity.
• Lack of technology transfer: There is a need to disseminate knowledge about cultivation techniques, irrigation, biological control, and plant material selection.
• Low competitiveness: There is a need to improve the quality and quantity of production to compete in the European market.

Assistance / Boost program

Selection of farmers and pilot plots, initial assessment, implementation of the optimized fertigation system, technical monitoring, training, demonstration, and technology transfer.

Innovative features of the initiative / solution

• Definition of optimal zones: Development of a map to identify the most suitable areas for avocado cultivation.
• Technology transfer: Dissemination of advanced cultivation techniques, including pruning, pollination, fruit quality improvement, irrigation, fertilization, and disease control.
• Genetic improvement: Research and selection of varieties and rootstocks adapted to local conditions.
• Biological control: Implementation of sustainable methods for pest and disease control.

Results obtanied

• Precise zoning: Identification of the most suitable areas for avocado cultivation, optimizing resource use.
• Adoption of advanced techniques: Implementation of new irrigation-focused cultural practices that improved fruit productivity and quality.
• Genetic improvement: Development of varieties and rootstocks better adapted to local conditions, increasing resistance and productivity.
• Effective biological control: Reducing the use of chemicals by implementing sustainable methods for pest and disease control.

Lessons learned

• Demonstrating practices such as new pruning, irrigation, fertilization, and plant health management techniques directly in plots allowed for the validation of their effectiveness and convinced more farmers of their usefulness.
• Diversifying plant material and practices improves adaptation.
• Defining and delimiting optimal growing areas using cartographic maps based on climatic and soil conditions has helped determine the best locations for avocado planting to maximize results.
• The project consolidated knowledge transfer and training with the creation and dissemination of a Practical Avocado Cultivation Manual.

Contact

• Website 1: https://www.asajamalaga.com/
• Website 2: https://goaguacatespain.com/

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