Rubén Moreno, Agros:
“Without insect net, we don't make our production targets”
The operation produces a wide range of beef and TOV tomatoes that meet the industry’s highest standards in quality and comply with strict safety certifications. Eng. Rubén Moreno, Production Manager at Agros who has been with the agricultural company since the very beginning of operations, comments that their first production cycle was produced without the use of insect screens per the initial design of the project. However, due to the frequency of insect outbreaks that plagued the area, a black mesh insect screen was installed for the second growing cycle. The black mesh was originally selected for its alleged dual solution design, being the first shade mesh with the function to exclude insects.
For Agros, the screen did not live up to their expectations and did not provide a reliable insect barrier as the black shade mesh that was installed still allowed insects to get through since the hole sizes were too large. The screen's thick yarns further sacrificed its performance, blocking adequate airflow and ultimately creating a climate that wasn’t suitable for the crop. As a result, this led to diseases such as late blight and caused humidity levels to climb due to the lack of ventilation and airflow inside the greenhouse.
In need of a solution to combat these issues, Agros searched for alternative insect screening options and after several were examined, Svensson’s Econet 4045 was selected. The Econet solution was chosen as it was the most promising and innovative option thanks to the accordion design and very thin yarn structure. The screen’s fine yarns drastically increase the ventilation in the greenhouse, radically improving the overall climate. Econet 4045’s consistent hole sizes allow for better insect control, keeping even the smallest insects out. These benefits allow Agros to produce a more balanced crop, and improve the re-circulation and relative humidity in the greenhouse.
In addition to providing a secure barrier against insects and more air re-circulation, the temperature in the greenhouse was improved as the Econet 4045 allowed for a more homogeneous climate, improving the conditions for both the crop and the Agros staff.
Moreno explains, “Without this insect net, we would not have been able to achieve our expected production targets.” Rubén concludes that Svensson’s products have been a major asset for Agros and have helped contribute to their many achievements.