Chilean Farm Pioneers Water-Saving Papaya Production with IoT Technology
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Innovative project leverages technology to cultivate tropical papayas in an arid region, offering a model for sustainable agriculture.
A Chilean agricultural company is making strides in sustainable farming with a groundbreaking project focused on optimizing water usage in tropical papaya cultivation. Agrícola San Pedro de Pampa Concordia, under the leadership of farmer Gloria Castro, is implementing an innovative system utilizing Internet of Things (IoT) sensors to monitor and manage water resources, a critical challenge in the region.
Addressing Water Scarcity with Smart Farming
The project, funded through the Innova Corfo Region program for women-led companies and the Sustainable Productive Development (DPS) program of the Ministry of Economy, Development and Tourism, aims to demonstrate the viability of growing tropical papayas in an area facing significant water scarcity. Castro planted the first indoor papaya crop in Pampa Concordia in March 2025, anticipating a harvest of approximately 2,000 kilograms beginning in February 2026.
“There are 6 months or so of harvest duration, and we have plants that have 40, 30 or 20 fruits, and each papaya will weigh more or less 2 kilos,” Castro explained. “So the first harvest will be like 2,000 kilos of tropical papayas.”
Field Day Showcases Technological Advancements
A recent Field Day event hosted by Agrícola San Pedro showcased the progress of the pilot project to a diverse audience including private individuals, farmers, and public organizations. The 3,500 square meter greenhouse serves as a living laboratory for the implementation of these new technologies.
According to a regional director of Corfo, Luis Rocafull López, the initiative is particularly noteworthy given the environmental challenges. “It is an initiative that can be replicated, that has a market and that confirms that one of the strategic axes is agriculture, which we must continue to promote,” he stated.
IoT Sensors and Data-Driven Decision Making
The core of the project lies in the deployment of IoT sensors that collect data on various environmental and soil conditions. Jesús Chino Laqui, a Peruvian expert advisor, led a technical tour demonstrating the practical application of these technologies.
“The water crisis is very complicated, but technology, applications, the internet of things, help us measure variables, both external and internal, of the soil, of the environment,” Castro explained. “It helps a lot in making decisions. Working with technology helps us in production, nutrition, fertilization, yield, quality of water or water resources.”
Expanding Market Reach and Resilience
Agrícola San Pedro caters to a diverse consumer base, including nationals and immigrant communities – specifically citing demand from Colombian, Venezuelan, and Haitian populations – who appreciate both green and ripe papayas. The company has also been awarded funding through the Activa Inversión program to further enhance its resilience to the fruit fly, incorporating technical learning and greenhouse improvements to raise health standards and diversify production.
Castro expressed gratitude for the support received. “Thank Corfo for this tremendous project and that they believe in us as a family,” she said. “We are also learning how to work and obtain this innovative production.”
The success of this project underscores the potential of technology-driven solutions to address critical agricultural challenges and promote sustainable food production in arid regions.
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