Protected Citrus Cultivation under Shade Netting

The citrus sector in Spain has been experiencing a degree of uncertainty in recent years due to increasing competition from other countries, some Mediterranean and others in the Southern Hemisphere, such as major powers like South Africa, Argentina, and Brazil. For years, some farmers' associations have been requesting government aid to modernize their plantations, something essential for achieving a more competitive product. In response to this challenging situation, Invernaderos IMA-MSC is promoting protected citrus cultivation as an alternative to traditional methods.

Protected cultivation obviously requires a greater investment from producers, but the medium and long-term results in terms of increased production and improved final fruit quality justify those who defend this type of cultivation as one of the alternatives to the growing competition in the citrus sector.

Among IMA-MSC's product range, Shade Netting is particularly well-suited for citrus cultivation. It's a variation of the traditional greenhouse, allowing for greater control of external factors that can affect fruit quality and farm productivity. Its covering, made of high-density polyethylene monofilament mesh, helps control factors such as solar radiation levels, humidity, wind, and pests, depending on the number of filaments per cm².

To achieve a successful outcome, a preliminary study of the site conditions and crop requirements is essential. This ensures that the structure is designed not only to adequately protect each crop from the aforementioned external factors, but also to accommodate the most appropriate irrigation systems for each farm and soil type.

IMA-MSC products are designed as modular structures, making future expansions easier. Furthermore, the company makes a special effort to design structures and parts that are easy to assemble, streamlining the assembly process and thus reducing labor costs.