08.07.2024 | 2 min read

CHAMPION OF CROP MANAGEMENT

Meet Khawla, R&D Manager at African Blue

Champions of Crop Management Khawla from African Blue

As part of WayBeyond's ‘Champions of Crop Management’ series, we interviewed Khawla Derstaouieh who is R&D Manager at African Blue, a leading supplier of premium blueberries for European markets.

She plays a vital role in the variety improvement program, selecting the best varieties for commercialization. Today, we’re excited to share her journey and insights on how digital agronomy tools like FarmRoad, WayBeyond’s crop management solution, are transforming her work.

From Quality Supervisor to R&D Manager

Khawla started her journey at African Blue as a Quality Supervisor before transitioning to managing irrigation and pest control in the test plot. Over time, she delved deeper into blueberry cultivation, learning about different varieties and their management. Today, Khawla oversees applied research in both the southern and northern regions for African Blue. Her role has grown significantly, and with it, her impact.

Harnessing the Power of FarmRoad

Khawla’s work involves selecting the best blueberry varieties for commercialization. She uses real-time data collected from sensors and analysed for insights in the FarmRoad software to understand each variety's behavior and needs and to inform her decisions. This information is crucial when commercializing a new variety. FarmRoad has become an indispensable tool in her daily tasks.
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"I use FarmRoad to track pests and diseases across different varieties. It helps me identify which ones are more sensitive to certain pests, like thrips. When I check the VPD (Vapor Pressure Deficit), temperature, and light, I can manage the irrigation for each variety much better."

Saving Time and Enhancing Efficiency

One of the core benefits Khawla highlights is time savings. "FarmRoad helps me save a lot of time, especially with the best management practices in our test plots," she notes. The platform provides essential climate data, enabling her to make informed decisions about shading and irrigation.

Khawla also appreciates the efficiency that comes with using digital tools. "Before, managing irrigation and pest control was challenging because we had a lot of varieties in the same valve. Now, with FarmRoad, I can manage it much more efficiently," she says. 

Pride in Contribution

Khawla takes great pride in her role. By using FarmRoad, she feels a strong sense of innovation, moving away from traditional methods. This innovation is crucial for the farm's future and its ability to stay ahead in the industry.
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"I feel like I'm doing an important part by helping the agronomy team and farm managers manage the commercial varieties better. I provide them with crucial information about pruning and overall crop management."

Looking Ahead

As Khawla continues to explore the full potential of FarmRoad, she is pleased with its current capabilities while discovering new features to enhance her work. Her journey at African Blue showcases the power of combining agronomy skills with technology. Khawla's story helps us at WayBeyond to learn how we can better support growers worldwide with better insights.

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