Four hectares for more profitable, better quality and more environmentally friendly produce. International area of experimentation for innovation and new technologies
The John Deere Parla Innovation Center, a pioneering innovation center in Europe, was inaugurated at the end of October and will become an international benchmark for innovation in high value agricultural production. This initiative brings together agents who participate in innovation and entrepreneurship processes as leading companies, educational centers such as the Polytechnic University, public institutions such as the Parla City Council, or specialized startups that will operate from a co-working space.
The center includes four hectares of arable land as a test field, where the latest generation of olive, grape, almond, pistachio and apple tree varieties have already been planted. They will conduct real tests of the technologies that are being developed in this center.
The ultimate goal is to experiment with less water, land preparation, less agrochemicals or less nitrogen to get better products, more profitable for the farmer and at the same time sustainable. All this with innovative technology, such as the first electric tractor, which will begin operating in 2026, according to Alejandro Sayago, John Deere vice president of sales and marketing in Europe.
Parla Mayor Ramon Jurado stressed that this initiative puts Parla on the map and represents a qualitative leap for this city, not only because of the contribution it will make to the city in terms of prestige, but also because of the jobs that will be generated. Gone are the ads that talked about this company’s march on the city , now with a more than ambitious bid for the south of Madrid.
The innovation center will occupy the entire first floor of the John Deere complex, located at PAU-5 in Parla, about 3,500 square meters, representing more than 50% of the built-up area, and will have over 50 jobs.
At today’s ceremony, a charter was signed by the John Deere Business Department with the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM) for training, research, master classes or training grants.
The presentation of the innovation center was attended by the U.S. Ambassador Julissa Reynoso, Secretary General of Agriculture and Food Fernando Miranda, as well as speakers from the Madrid community and executives of John Deere, a world leader in technology and mechanical engineering. agricultural sector.