Interview with Julián Rioja, Marketing and Development Director at TIMAC AGRO Spain

First of all, I would like you to explain what TIMAC AGRO is and briefly review its history.

TIMAC AGRO is a multinational company belonging to the Roullier Group, specializing in plant and animal nutrition. We are present in 40 countries and have some 6,000 employees worldwide. The origins of the company in Spain go back to 1908 with the creation of the Féculae Company of Navarra, later renamed Inabonos SA. In 1984 it became part of the group. Currently in our country, we have about 400 employees.

What plant and animal nutrition solutions can you provide farmers?

In agriculture, we have a complete range of solid, liquid and water-soluble fertilizers. We also have amendments, biostimulants and the recent addition of a biological fungicide.

As for our livestock division, we have products for maintaining hygiene on farms, as well as products related to nutrition.

All of our products are the result of a great commitment of the company in R & D and creating pioneering solutions that are both very efficient and profitable for the farmer.

How do you know which the best solution is for each client and farm?

Our business model is based on proximity. For this we have a network of 200 Technical Advisors in Spain who visit farmers and ranchers daily, analyzing the specific situation of each farm, to offer the most precise recommendations according to needs. Likewise, we follow-up to learn about the evolution throughout the cycle.

What are the most demanded products within Spanish agriculture and what type of crops and livestock are they destined for?

Agriculture in our country is especially diverse. Possiblythis is what makes it so special. Therefore, adapting to their disparity is key to adding value to our farmers. For this reason, at TIMAC AGRO we offer a complete range that meets all needs.

However, we can highlight solutions, such as D-CODER Top, a granular fertilizer capable of releasing nutrients according to the needs of the plant. We also have the Rhizovit Excelis liquid fertilizer with triple effect activating the root and plant, and controlling the release of nitrogen; along with biostimulant products, such as the Supractyl range with various components that act according to a problem and Vitalfit, an antioxidant inducer against stressful situations.

Have you quantified the improvement in yields using Timac Agro solutions? What other benefits can the use of your solutions bring?

We have numerous studies endorsed by scientific organizations that demonstrate the benefits when using our products, and which our technical advisers extend to farmers. These studies focus not only on production, but also on measuring quality. The main benefit consists in maintaining the stability of the soil-plant ecosystem, which is what ensures the productive balance.

In the environmental section, what are the benefits of using Timac Agro solutions? Can they be used in organic farming?

Timac Agro products are characterized by greater efficiency, which means that crops takes advantage of a greater amount of the product provided, and losses in the soil are reduced. With this, we see that the impact on the environment is less and that the products are more sustainable.

Within our wide range, we also have products suitable for organic farming and we are continuously developing new formulations.

As for the production centers, what is their presence in Spain and what production capacities do they have? Also in the rest of Europe and worldwide?

In Spain, our factory is located in Lodosa (Navarra) and has a production capacity of 270,000 tons of solid fertilizer, 15,000 tons of water-soluble products and 10 million liters of liquid biostimulants. We also have a production center in Seville specializing in microbiology. In the world we have 73 industrial plants.

How important is innovation at Timac Agro and what projects do you have in production?

Innovation is the engine that sets Timac Agro apart from the competition. For this, we have the Roullier World Innovation Center, located in France and equipped with the latest technological advances. Furthermore, we have agreements with more than 100 universities in the world, including the Timac Agro Chair at the University of Navarra. On the other hand, a few months ago we acquired the agricultural division of the biotech company NBT, who are experts in microbiology.

The current situation caused by the coronavirus has made many people realize the fundamental role of agriculture and the countryside. Do you think it will have a positive effect in improving the care that the primary sector receives from the institutions?

I think that society, in general, has valued very positively the great effort that our farmers and ranchers have made in ensuring that the population has the necessary products, and has shown how important it is to have a strong primary sector, with institutions being the first to publicly acknowledge it.

At the same time, can it be a catalyst for society to demand greater responsibilities when it comes to obtaining food in a sustainable way? How is the position of the European Union also influencing the CAP reform plans?

Regardless of the Coronavirus, Spanish society is deeply sensitized in relation to the importance of sustainability, currently having high levels of demand. In this sense, I would like to acknowledge the great effort made by our farmers and ranchers, respecting the environment with the highest quality production. In reality, they are the best guarantors of an environmentally sustainable rural environment and, without a doubt, this is the path that public authorities must promote.  

How do you think the agricultural sector can evolve in the future? Will it be able to feed more and more people with the same resources?

Our sector is, perhaps, the one facing the greatest challenge since, in 2030 we will have almost 1 billion more inhabitants on the planet. Is it possible to meet this challenge? Of course, yes, through a clear commitment to innovation and research we can combine production and maintain our respect for the environment.

The original Spanish version of this report is from Profesional AGRO.