To double the agricultural production while maintaining the same surface: compared to traditional cultivation systems, the “Up & Down” tool allows to cultivate the double number of plants per square meter, giving an advantage to agricultural producers. Europrogress will present the system during this week's Macfrut in Rimini.
Since last year, Europrogress, Italian designer and producer of greenhouses, has supplied this innovative technology to various Italian and foreign customers.
How does it work?
But how does “Up & Down” work? The system is equipped with mobile gutters allowing to work on two different cultivation lines in an alternative manner. The gutters are connected to axes and motorized tubes through which they are automatically lowered and raised, depending on the agronomic needs.
During transplanting or crop collection operations, the gutters can then be lowered or raised at intervals so that to facilitate workers activities, therefore, allowing them to have more space inside the structure. In addition to this edge, the raising and lowering system, which represents the main characteristic of the “Up & Down” tool, allows to adjust the height of the cultivation lines to the desired level.
In this way operations tasks are further facilitated. During rest times, the entire cultivation is brought back to a single plan, so that to avoid the creation of shaded areas.
Doubling production and lowering labor costs
Thanks to this technology, the Europrogress structures that to date have installed the “Up & Down” system have presented extraordinary results in the agronomic field. The production has doubled and labor costs have been significantly reduced while making the greenhouse cultivation more efficient and profitable.
Among the users is Sofia Michieli, 22 years old and holding a first class degree in Agricultural Sciences and Technology. Last year she set up a 6000 sq m greenhouse in Rovigo (north of Italy) for the cultivation of strawberries using the Up and Down system. Recently she was awarded a Smau Innovation Award for her activities.
"Agriculture is my family's passion. The company is located in Rovigo and covers 600 hectares in total. I managed to work on this project thanks to the Rural Development Fund," explains Sofia.
Sofia Michieli
Double the plants per surface unit
Her greenhouse is approximately 120 meters long and 50 meters wide and 4 meters high. Windows are located both at the top and on the sides of the greenhouse and can be adjusted automatically via an electronic control unit that monitors temperature, humidity and wind parameters.
"Thanks to this system, we can grow double the plants per surface unit. We currently have 110 thousand plants of the Portola and Albione varieties transplanted last summer. We have performed an autumn harvest and are currently getting ready for the spring one."
The first produce was sold via a few local wholesalers, while now the "Le fragole di Sofia" brand is available for general markets and retailers.
"Things are looking good as the produce has a good flavor and is healthy thanks to the protected environment. Due to the Up and Down system, not only are yields increasing, but the quality of the work and management are also improving."
Europrogress is at the Macfrut fair, at the Rimini Expo Centre, where they have two booths:
- Pavillon D7 - Booth 001 to welcome guests and advise them on greenhouses solutions they required
- Pavillon B7 - Booth 047: a sample greenhouse is exhibited to show the latest technologies Europrogress supplies
For more information: 
Europrogress
[email protected]
www.europrogress.it
Sofia Michieli
via San Cassiano, 112
45030 Crespino (Rovigo)
Email: [email protected]