Fruit Today magazine spoke with Andres Sánchez San Martin, Product Manager and Head of the Technical Department, who shared insights on the current and future challenges agriculture faces regarding water use.
Water is one of agriculture’s main concerns. How can your solutions help?
The Irritec Group stands out in drip irrigation, covering the design, production, and distribution of materials and technological solutions. Our mission is clear: to reduce the waste of water and other resources through efficient systems that allow farmers to increase yields with less input.
Drip irrigation is a vital tool to meet the challenges of future agriculture. It is the most efficient system for water use, as it allows for localised and controlled application. Additionally, it improves nutrient absorption, reduces environmental impact, and supports more sustainable production.
It is also worth highlighting that we were pioneers in certifying the quality of our products according to the International Standard ISO 9261, which governs the manufacturing of emitters and emitter pipes for irrigation—certified by AENOR.
What are the most in-demand irrigation systems in Spain?
Drip tapes and pipes with integrated drippers remain our most sought-after products, thanks to their efficiency, application uniformity, and durability under demanding conditions. Filtering systems, automatic valves, air release valves, and pressure regulators are also prominent. However, our technical products and advanced solutions—such as automation and monitoring systems—are gaining increasing importance.
What is the installation process for an Irritec irrigation system? What are its main features?
The process begins with data collection, analysis, and a preliminary evaluation of all relevant factors, including physical ones (climate, soil, topography, and the physical-chemical characteristics of water) and external ones (crops, water and energy sources).
From there, we design the optimal solution in terms of agronomic design (water requirements, type of emitter, and number of emitters per plant) and hydraulic design (sectorisation and distribution of the irrigation network, pumping equipment, filtration, fertigation, and automation).
Finally, we provide technical plans, data sheets, and manuals to ensure the proper installation, operation, and maintenance of the irrigation system.
