Read the Digital Magazine

At Magüey Green, farming innovation goes hand in hand with social inclusion and environmental care

This forward-thinking fertiliser company has made it its mission to support both the land and the people who work it especially those with disabilities. Through sustainable agricultural solutions, Magüey Green is showing that greener farming can also mean fairer opportunities.

"The Magüey Green project was started by Miguel Ángel López, an agricultural production expert, who began developing eco-friendly products to address the issue of nitrate filtration into the Mar Menor," said Juan Antonio López García, the company's manager. "From there, the idea emerged to create a line of fertilizers that help retain water and nutrients in the soil, reducing both environmental impact and input use."

Operating from the Polígono Industrial Oeste in Alcantarilla (Murcia), Magüey Green functions as a special employment centre, offering stable jobs and training for people with functional and intellectual diversity. "We wanted these individuals to have stable employment, training, and a real opportunity for inclusion," López García added. "After presenting the project to the SEPE and obtaining authorisation, we launched this fusion of industrial activity with a social mission, which has now been running for three years."

Inside the facility, workers blend, package, and prepare the company’s signature products. Among them, Fertired stands out as a revolutionary solution for modern farmers. Designed for use in irrigation systems, it helps the soil retain water and nutrients, reducing nitrate leaching and protecting nearby water sources like the Mar Menor.

"Each molecule can retain up to 300 times its volume in water, keeping it available for the plant for about 30–40 days," López García added. "This allows us to reduce water and fertilizer use by more than 30%. In fact, trials conducted in pepper crops have shown efficiency increases of over 50% under greenhouse conditions."

Alongside Fertired, Magüey Green produces certified biofertilisers and natural fungicides that meet EU organic standards. As López García said, "Our goal is not only to improve crop efficiency but also to show that agriculture can foster inclusion and opportunity. We want every litre of product we make to carry a story of sustainability, and of people who overcome challenges every day."

The Philippines is intensifying its efforts to ratify a landmark international treaty aimed at protecting marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ), reinforcing its commitment to ocean conservation and sustainable marine resource management

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has pledged full support to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in promoting the Senate’s concurrence to the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ). Signed under the framework of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the BBNJ treaty addresses the conservation and equitable use of marine resources in high seas and other regions beyond exclusive national control.

Although Ferdinand Marcos Jr., President ratified the agreement in 2024-a year after its global adoption - the treaty still requires Senate concurrence before the Philippines can officially participate.

Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., Agriculture Secretary emphasised the agreement's relevance for the Philippines, said, “The BBNJ Agreement is crucial for conserving and sustainably managing marine biodiversity in areas beyond the Philippines’ jurisdiction, allowing the country to safeguard its rich marine ecosystems while ensuring fair access to and equitable sharing of benefits from marine genetic resources.”

As a nation composed of over 7,000 islands and located near areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), the Philippines has a strong stake in the treaty’s success. It was an early signatory and active participant in the negotiation process, aligning with global conservation goals and the principles of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitration Award.

Undersecretary for Fisheries Drusila Esther Bayate stressed the strategic timing of the ratification: once approved by the Senate, the Philippines will be eligible to participate in the first Conference of Parties (COP1). This milestone event is expected to take place shortly after 60 countries submit their ratification instruments to the United Nations. As of late August, 55 nations have completed the process, with momentum building towards reaching the required threshold during the UN General Assembly from September 23–26.

The BBNJ treaty represents a critical tool for archipelagic nations like the Philippines—not only to influence global marine governance but also to safeguard marine ecosystems, promote fair benefit-sharing, and support the livelihoods of coastal communities reliant on ocean resources.

Agrico Web Control is redefining how farmers manage irrigation, offering a fully remote and intelligent system that can be accessed from any internet-connected device

This innovative solution allows users to oversee and operate all aspects of their irrigation infrastructure from centre pivots to pumps through a single, integrated platform.

Designed to simplify the complexities of large-scale farming operations, Web Control gives farmers real-time visibility and control over key elements such as dam levels, valves, irrigation blocks, and pump stations. Whether you're in the field or across the globe, you can monitor and manage your irrigation systems with just a smartphone, tablet, or computer.

One of the standout features is Agrico Advanced RAIN, which automates centre pivot irrigation based on water pressure. It helps detect and alert users to any system irregularities, enabling swift response and reducing downtime. Key capabilities include detailed sector configuration, alert triggers, historical performance tracking, and instant SMS or missed call notifications when status changes occur.

Complementing this is the Agrico Pump Controller, which ensures efficient and intelligent pump management. It supports a variety of starter systems including direct-on-line, star-delta, soft starters, and variable speed drives (VSDs). This tool automates operations, optimises energy use, and supports the integration of additional sensors for flow, vibration, and level monitoring.

A notable enhancement to the platform is its GPS-based end-pressure control. Especially useful for farms with uneven terrain, this feature allows the system to track the final tower in a centre pivot and monitor pressure levels at that point. When possible, the pump’s speed is automatically reduced, conserving energy without compromising performance.

Salinla Seehaphan, Corporate Affairs Director, Nestlé (Thai) Ltd., said,“Marketing cannot be done the same way year after year and expect different results it’s madness.”

With energy-saving features, intelligent automation, and comprehensive system integration, Agrico Web Control offers a cutting-edge solution for farmers seeking efficiency, sustainability, and precision in irrigation. 

The SoLAR project, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), is entering its second phase, aiming to deepen agricultural resilience and climate transformation in smallholder farming

Launched by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), the initiative runs from July 2025 to December 2029 and expands its geographical and thematic focus, now incorporating Ethiopia and Kenya, while continuing its work in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan. Building on the success of its first phase (2019–2024), SoLAR looks to scale solar energy solutions for agriculture and position them as a replicable and scalable model for climate-resilient agriculture across the Global South.

In its first phase, SoLAR focused on generating evidence, piloting innovative financing models, and influencing policy to integrate solar-powered irrigation systems (SIPs). These solar pumps have proven effective in mitigating climate impacts by replacing diesel pumps and promoting sustainable groundwater usage. “Across the four South Asian countries, we have seen promising steps toward scaling solar irrigation sustainably and inclusively,” said Darshini Ravindranath, Project Lead and Research Group Leader at IWMI. The project has helped governments in Bangladesh and India integrate solar irrigation into national strategies, while in Nepal, it led to a significant policy shift, including revised subsidy criteria supporting women farmers and smallholders.

Key outcomes include the promotion of gender-sensitive policies, innovative financing such as micro-financing and grants, and the adoption of solar irrigation systems that reduce carbon emissions, conserve groundwater, and support high-value crops. IWMI’s work also extended to grid-connected solar irrigation in Nepal, enabling farmers to sell surplus energy, providing them with additional income streams while promoting responsible groundwater use.

In phase two, SoLAR will expand its reach to East Africa, focusing on scaling solar-powered solutions for irrigation, cooling, and processing. With Kenya and Ethiopia facing climate and energy challenges, the project sees solar technology as a transformative tool for boosting year-round agricultural production and enhancing food security. Muluken Elias Adamseged, Deputy Country Representative at IWMI in Ethiopia, remarked, “Scaling solar-powered irrigation, cooling, and processing can boost year-round production, cut losses and costs, and enhance food security.”

The second phase aims to drive an integrated approach with evidence-based policy design, accelerated funding for solar adoption, enhanced capacity building, and the establishment of Living Labs to test solar solutions in diverse settings. The program will directly benefit smallholder farmers in India, Bangladesh, Kenya, and Ethiopia by improving water and energy security, reducing emissions, and enhancing resilience to climate risks, according to Philippe Sas, Head of Cooperation for SDC in India.