21/04/2026
The use of new technologies in agriculture continues to gain ground in Spain, especially in expanding crops such as pistachios. The need to improve productive efficiency and ensure harvest stability has driven the launch of initiatives that combine innovation and agronomic management. Positioned in this vanguard is Sancorganic, which has initiated a programme, in collaboration with Agroptimum, aimed at reinforcing pollination through the use of drones within a certified organic production model. The proposal integrates different agricultural practices with the aim of optimising crop yield without compromising its sustainability.
Drone technology at Sancorganic to reinforce pistachio pollination
The incorporation of drones in pistachio cultivation is presented as a support tool at a critical phase of production development. After conducting several pilot experiences, Sancorganic already uses this technology to release pollen in a controlled manner during the flowering period, which allows for better distribution in large-scale plantations. The intervention is adjusted to specific moments in the crop cycle, in order to increase the chances of fertilisation.
The pistachio pollination system requires correct planning of the plantation. The farms have approximately 8% male trees, although in the case of Sancorganic this figure rises to 11%, to favour the fertilisation of female specimens. The application of drones is added to this agronomic base, providing precision in pollen dispersion and reinforcing the process under specific conditions.
The development of this technology is integrated within a broader strategy aimed at improving crop management. Field experience allows each intervention to be adjusted and the use of the drone to be adapted to the actual needs of the plantation. Sancorganic continues to make progress in the incorporation of technical solutions that facilitate greater efficiency in agricultural management.
Organic cultivation and soil management to favour pollination
Improving pollination relies not only on technology but also on the overall condition of the crop. The productive model is supported by agronomic management that begins with winter pruning, a practice that allows the balance of the tree to be maintained and prepares for the next campaign. After that intervention, copper is applied by spraying to protect the branches and preserve their sanitary state.
On the other hand, the work on the soil is carried out through the use of organic fertiliser, with the aim of improving its structure and ensuring balanced nutrition. These works, added to the positive impact generated by the flock of more than 700 sheep grazing on the plantation grounds, generate a fertile base that favours the development of the root system and contributes to more stable growth of the tree. This balance within Sancorganic directly influences the quality of the flowering and the capacity of the crop to complete the pollination process with greater effectiveness.
Certified organic production is part of the system applied in all phases of cultivation. Trees of the Kerman variety grafted on UCB1 rootstock are used, with planting frames adapted to the characteristics of each farm. Technical planning allows resources to be optimised and precise control to be maintained over the development of the crop.
A well-nourished soil and a balanced tree favour the development of higher-quality flowers, which increases the activity of natural pollinators and improves the result of assisted pollination. The combination between agronomic management and technology allows progress towards a more efficient productive model aligned with market demands.
The approach applied by Sancorganic allows the plantation to be strengthened, the balance of the ecosystem to be maintained thanks to the use of organic inputs, and the yield per hectare to be improved through technical management of the crop. The integration of these practices within a single model contributes to consolidating an agricultural system oriented towards quality, productive stability and long-term sustainability.
