The event combined a visit to the estate and a meeting at the Castle of Almodóvar. It brought together the CEOs of the project’s partner companies and was attended by Andy Thomas, General Manager of Alltech’s agricultural division in the United States, where the company is headquartered. Once again, the event achieved its goal: the transfer of knowledge among participants.
CIMA (Science, Innovation, Environment, Agriculture) focuses on areas such as soil regeneration, resource optimization, and reducing environmental impact. It is active in 18 high-value crops, covering more than 25,200 hectares, and conducts around 4,400 annual samples, 1,108 physico-chemical soil analyses, 1,092 enzymatic activity assessments, and over 872 microbiological analyses of pathogenic fungi and bacteria. It also performs 963 foliar analyses and 25 nutraceutical assessments. The crops studied include almonds, pistachios, olives, citrus, and avocados.
In the fruit and vegetable sector alone—particularly citrus—the project spans over 2,400 hectares and involves more than 500 analyses (physico-chemical, enzymatic, pathogen detection, and foliar analysis). This analytical work has resulted in a 30% increase in potassium solubilization efficiency, 60% in zinc, 47% in phosphorus, and 60% in potassium assimilation. These improvements have led to an 80% rise in microbial activity, a 77% increase in IBF, and a 100% reduction in both urease activity and pathogen count.
Soil and its microbiome
One of the company’s main projects is the development of a soil fertility indicator to find alternatives to chemical pesticides for pest and disease control. Another key focus is the study of the soil microbiome and how it affects production and crop performance. “By modifying the soil microbiome, we improve its condition, use resources more efficiently, boost crop productivity, and enhance the nutraceutical quality of production,” says Agustín Murillo, General Manager of Alltech Crop Science for Iberia.
Pedro Palazón, General Manager of Ideagro—a laboratory under the Alltech Crop Science umbrella—and Global R&D Director, adds: “Transforming the soil microbiome will improve every aspect of production as we know it, including modifying the fruit’s own microbiome, which, once consumed, may also enhance the consumer’s internal microbiome.”
This innovative approach could lead to future research into the intrinsic qualities of the fruit microbiome—groundbreaking work, much like that of company founder Dr. Pearse Lyons, who spoke about microbial fermentation more than 40 years ago.
To conclude, Murillo states that “CIMA is a journey toward building an agriculture that can feed current and future generations. Our goal is to improve crop yields, optimize soil health, and promote environmentally responsible agricultural practices through the application of scientific and technological advancements. These efforts will lead to more sustainable farming and a reduced carbon footprint. Our commitment to the values of this project will help us move forward toward a Planet of Plenty™.”
Alcoaxarquía joins the CIMA project
Alcoaxarquía, an internationally expanding company headquartered in Vélez-Málaga, has signed a strategic partnership with Alltech Crop Science to join the CIMA project.
In recent years, Alcoaxarquía has focused its efforts on avocado cultivation, responding to global demand and ensuring a consistent year-round supply. With subsidiaries and processing plants in eastern Spain, Peru, and Morocco, the company is a benchmark in the agricultural sector, known for its commitment to innovation and sustainability.
The partnership with Alltech Crop Science will give Alcoaxarquía access to a network of experts and resources to enhance the implementation of more sustainable and efficient agricultural practices.
“We are excited to join this transformative project,” says Eusebio León, Technical Director at Alcoaxarquía. “This agreement not only strengthens our commitment to sustainability but also allows us to contribute to a more innovative and responsible agricultural future, starting at our farms La Panata and Los Bates, located on the tropical coast of Granada province.”
“The collaboration with Alcoaxarquía is a key step toward building a healthier, more sustainable agricultural ecosystem,” notes Pedro Navarro, General Manager of Alltech Crop Science Europe.
