Irritec launches SFIDA - Intelligent Fertigation System at EIMA 2024

As Irritec celebrated its 50th anniversary, the company unveiled the SFIDA (Intelligent Fertigation System for Biofortified Agricultural Production). 

AgroPages covered the launch in a press conference held at the EIMA International 2024 trade fair in Italy.

SFIDA is an IoT (Internet of Things) system designed to optimize resources and improve the quality of fertilizers applied through smart irrigation, or "fertirrigation". In tomatoes, for example, an increase in iron content of up to 113% was observed, while in carrots, there was a 52% increase in iron, 26% in manganese, and 94% in zinc.

The technology is equipped with a smart control unit called "Commander" that utilizes satellite and field data, develops forecasting models, and automates fertilization. Self-learning algorithms guide the control unit's operations with comprehensive and constantly updated information.

During the event, SFIDA was awarded the "EIMA 2024 Segnalazione" for recognizing innovation in the industry. The system originated from a project funded by the Italian Ministry of Economic Development. It was developed with the scientific support of the Sapienza University of Rome, the University of Catania, and Wageningen University & Research.

"In 2023 alone, Irritec's products and projects irrigated nearly 470,000 hectares, saving 682 million cubic meters of water. They also helped reduce the use of fertilizers and CO2 emissions, as Irritec subscribes to the goals of the 2030 Agenda and the United Nations Global Compact," the company stated during the event.

Over its first 50 years, Irritec has expanded internationally by replicating a model created in Sicily, Italy. Today, it operates with 17 offices and a team of 1,000 employees. With its products available in 120 countries, the medium- to long-term challenge will also be to start production in Asia.

(Editing by Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages)