Unispice where resilience meets success
At Unispice’s San Nicolás farm in Salama, Guatemala, we faced one of nature’s toughest tests. We experienced an unprecedented event; a month’s worth of rain in just 2hrs. This sudden event posed significant challenges to our operations and put our crops at risk. Other farms in the region experienced a complete loss, whereas we were able to anticipate the situation and stand out by having less than 7.5% of damages compared to others.
However, our fully integrated chain and operation, based on data, played a crucial role in helping us overcome this challenge. We understand the importance of being prepared for unforeseen circumstances. We believe in designing models that consider worst-case scenarios, allowing us to develop comprehensive plans on how to act as potential risks approach. By analyzing these risks and developing contingency plans, we ensure that we can respond swiftly and effectively to any challenges that may arise.
Here’s how data-driven decision-making and constant monitoring proved to be our saving grace:
Using Data to Design:
When designing our farm, we considered different scenarios, like the storms we experienced. Even before planting seeds, we simulated how a storm would affect our farms. This helped us create a farm with waterways that can clear stagnant water, making it resilient against such events. It’s like building a house on a hill to avoid flooding.
Detecting and Acting Early:
With a robust system for collecting and analyzing data, we were able to identify areas of the farm prone to flooding and take immediate action. By constantly monitoring weather patterns, farm maps, sensor data, and soil conditions, we could anticipate the risks of heavy rainfall and take precautions. For example, we strategically diverted excess water away from vulnerable crops, just like redirecting traffic during a roadblock, to protect them from water damage and potential loss.
Efficient Resource Management:
Data played a crucial role in optimizing resource allocation during this challenging time. By analyzing real-time data, we could prioritize our efforts and allocate resources where they were most needed. This ensured that we made the best use of our workforce and minimized waste, similar to managing a household budget to make sure we spend money wisely.
Predicting and Preparing:
During and after the event, we ran simulations to understand the potential impact on our production. This allowed us to start preparing as soon as possible to meet our commitments. It’s like checking the weather forecast before planning an outdoor event, so we can be prepared with umbrellas if rain is predicted.
Adapting to Changing Situations:
By analyzing conditions and running simulations of our projected yield, we could rebuild our farms and take action to continue our supply chain. It’s like adjusting our route when there’s unexpected traffic to ensure we reach our destination on time.
Lessons for the Future:
This experience taught us the value of relying on data throughout our entire operation. By using data-driven insights, we navigated through this challenging event and minimized its impact on our farm. As we strive for predictable agriculture, we understand the importance of constant monitoring, making decisions based on data, and being adaptable. By harnessing the power of data, we can overcome nature’s toughest challenges and build a sustainable and resilient future.
You may be
Interested
In summary, data plays a vital role in standardizing operations, scaling production and guaranteeing fill rates. At Unispice, data is key to enable process optimization, ensuring consistency and quality, facilitating informed decision-making, managing risks, and aligning production with market demands.
