Agribo is a family-run agricultural company that, despite its growth and the involvement of several collaborators, continues to carry forward a tradition built on hard work, experience, and passion.
Their story is told by Raffaele Bodano, fourth generation at the helm of the company, together with Giacomo Marras, a phytochemistry specialist and trusted technical partner responsible for crop protection, nutrition, and irrigation management.
In an increasingly complex agricultural landscape—where water availability can no longer be taken for granted—Agribo decided to take a step forward: accurately monitoring soil moisture to irrigate only when necessary and in the most effective way.
From Tradition to Innovation: Why Agribo Began Monitoring the Soil
The need arose from a very concrete challenge: the prospect of a significant reduction in available irrigation volumes due to restrictions imposed by the local Water Management Authority.
“The goal was to find a monitoring system that would allow us to save water in a controlled way, without causing any loss in production.”
In other words, saving water—yes—but without putting yields at risk.
This led Agribo to search for a technology capable of transforming irrigation from a routine habit into a decision driven by real field data.
Choosing SoilSense: Evaluation, Comparison, and Technical Support
During the selection process, Raffaele involved Giacomo, a technical professional already deeply integrated into the farm’s management, with expertise ranging from crop nutrition to irrigation strategies.
“Together we studied the system and compared it with other solutions on the market. In the end, we chose SoilSense because it best matched our actual needs.”
This decision was the result of hands-on evaluation and comparison. The objective was clear: a tool that could be easily applied in the field and provide concrete, actionable insights.
Continuous Data, Better Decisions: Benefits After the First Months
After the first few months of use, Agribo identified a key advantage: continuous data availability, enabling more accurate decisions about:
- irrigation intervals
- duration of irrigation events
- the optimal timing for intervention
Previously, irrigation was managed using a fairly uniform approach across different areas, mainly based on sprinkler type. Data analysis, however, revealed something crucial: soil behavior can vary significantly even over very short distances.
“We noticed substantial differences due to soil type, which can vary even between nearby areas.”
For this reason, Agribo placed dataloggers in homogeneous soil zones, allowing them to identify different irrigation needs even between adjacent plots. The result is a more targeted and less standardized approach, leading to more efficient water use.
A Shared App That Supports Teamwork
Another major advantage is the ability to collaborate more effectively. Giacomo, for example, uses the app as a guest user and can monitor daily activity:
- rainfall events
- irrigation cycles
- soil response over time
“I can see everything that happens throughout the day… the tool is extremely effective.”
This highlights an important point: SoilSense is not just a data collection system, but a shared decision-support tool, enabling faster and more precise technical advice.
Beyond Water: Electrical Conductivity Monitoring for Precise Fertilization
Agribo did not stop at monitoring soil moisture alone. An electrical conductivity sensor was also installed, with the clear aim of improving fertilization management.
The benefits are twofold:
- preventing fertilizer from remaining too close to the surface, where it is less effective
- avoiding leaching too deep into the soil, beyond the reach of plant roots
The result is greater nutrient efficiency and cost savings, as each intervention becomes more precise and truly beneficial to the crop.
Advice to Other Farmers: “Test It in the Field”
When it comes to new technology, the same question always arises: will it really work on my farm?
Agribo’s answer is straightforward: test it in the field.
“One of the factors that led us to choose this system was the possibility to test it at an affordable cost by renting it.”
The rental option is seen as a tangible advantage, allowing farmers to experiment without making an immediate long-term investment—and, most importantly, to verify whether the system truly fits their soil conditions and crops.
Combining Technology and Tradition with SoilSense
In Quartu Sant’Elena, Agribo demonstrates how a fruit and vegetable farm with four generations of history can successfully integrate innovation and agronomic expertise to operate more efficiently. Thanks to SoilSense sensors, Raffaele and his team rely on continuous data to decide when and how long to irrigate, adapting irrigation schedules to real soil variability and optimizing fertilization through conductivity monitoring.
A practical and effective solution for saving water and agricultural inputs, while maintaining high production quality.
🌱 To learn more about Agribo, visit their Facebook page: Agribo – Facebook
🌐 Want to discover how SoilSense can help you optimize irrigation?
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