After an intensive first day of technical presentations at Hotel Casa Andina in Chiclayo, learning moved beyond the conference room and into the orchard. The second day of the 1st International Specialization Course in Blueberry Production, organized by CASM Blueberries, concluded with a Field Day at Agrícola Cerro Prieto, where attendees had the opportunity to observe, discuss, and exchange ideas in the field around the key concepts covered during the event.
The day began early with a coffee to go sponsored by Hortus, setting the stage for a morning dedicated to technical exchange and hands-on learning in one of northern Peru’s leading blueberry-producing regions.
Once in the field, participants rotated through a series of technical stations led by CASM Blueberries specialists and invited professionals, who addressed some of the key production challenges facing the industry today. The first station was led by Fernando Villagrán, International Advisor at CASM Blueberries, who explored strategic crop management and the agronomic decisions that help sustain productivity and fruit quality throughout the season.
At the second station, Simón Muñoz, also an International Advisor at the company, presented nutrition strategies aimed at achieving high yields, sharing experiences and management criteria applied across different production systems and growing conditions.
The tour also included a technical session sponsored by Phytoma, sponsor of the Field Day, where Guillermo Pradenas Gaete, Northern Technical Lead, delivered a presentation titled “Physiological modulation and metabolic optimization – Nobrico Technology”, highlighting tools and strategies aimed at enhancing plant physiological performance.
The final stop was led by Antonia Maggiolo, Head of R&D at CASM Blueberries, who presented the work involved in the design and establishment of blueberry field trials, highlighting the importance of applied research in meeting the industry’s evolving demands and emerging challenges.
With this hands-on experience, the course concluded by reaffirming one of its main objectives: bridging technical knowledge with its practical application in the field, providing concrete and actionable tools for the growers and professionals contributing to the development of the blueberry industry in Peru and across the region.
