KDI – Set to give the berries sector in Mexico an innovation boost
An institute for innovation development and knowledge transfer for the booming berries sector will be launched in San Rafael Coapa, a village located in Michoacan, Mexico, on Wednesday (9/3)this week. The Koppert Development Institute (KDI) was created by Koppert Biological Systems, the Koppert-Rapel Research and Training Centre (CEICKOR), the CEICKOR University and the Arcum Group who have joined forces once more to intensify their commitment to develop agriculture in Mexico. This time the focus is on the berries.
In recent years, the berries market in Mexico has grown exponentially, reaching double digits in production growth. Mexico occupies 4th place as a berries producer worldwide and constitutes 7,9% of the global production. In addition, this sector generates more than 160 000 jobs.
General Manager of Koppert Mexico, Rigoberto Bueno Partida, says there is a need to professionalize the sector in order to achieve higher profits in production. ‘To this end, Koppert and its allies have created the first institute for innovation development and knowledge transfer focused solely on berries crops. With the constant synergy of these four players, KDI Berries is looking for one legitimate aspiration: to be the development and innovation transfer platform in the berries market together with their partners,’ says Bueno Partida.
Infrastructure for the innovation
More than 30 productive hectares have been divided into four crops (strawberry, raspberry, blackberry and blueberry) in both hydroponic and conventional systems for the Koppert Development Institute to develop tests for the validation of technology.
‘In addition, systems for quality management and continuous improvement process standardization are being developed. In this way, KDI Berries can implement the most innovative practices to sow more efficient and productive crops,’ says Bueno Partida.
Lines of action
KDI Berries will perform the following activities: advisory and consulting for Driscoll’s producers, sustainable production of crops, free of pesticides and organic production, agronomic management and hydroponics, improved quality and productivity, and research and development.
These lines of action follow a corporate responsibility philosophy where human rights and dignity are promoted. KDI is an organization with a high sense for quality of life, business ethics, linking the institution to the community and the care and preservation of the environment.
‘The opening of this new research institute is a great opportunity to boost the promising future of the berries market in Mexico. It also reaffirms Koppert’s commitment to work in partnership with nature,’ Bueno Partida concludes.
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