If a market is performing well, innovation is around the corner. Also in Italy, where growers are not only investing in new greenhouse acreage, but also in more efficient production systems. For example at Bra' Ortofrutta. This fruit grower near Verona has recently inaugurated a new strawberry greenhouse with a raisable gutter system.
The one hectare greenhouse was designed and realized turnkey by Europrogress. Together with the grower, the greenhouse manufacturer developed the 'Up&Down Strawberry System', which allows to double the production per square meter. The gutters in the 12 meter bays can be raised when required, enabling a maximum use of the available space.
While the idea is not new, Europrogress worked close with the growers' agronomic technician Stefano Corrà to develop a solution according to their specific requirements.
The gutters are placed side by side on their resting position when no working space is required. During the planting, harvesting or any other technical crop or scouting work, every other gutter can move up per bay, allowing workers to have enough space to walk between the gutters.
The project was recently finished and the first strawberry crops have been placed.
