On March 26, 2025, the 1st Seminar: "Optimization of Operational Management in the Blueberry Sector" organized by the Faculty of Agronomic Sciences of the University of Chile will be held.
The seminar aims to provide analysis, ideas and tools to improve operational management in the blueberry sector, addressing the decline of Chile's position as a leading exporter. The seminar will cover topics such as operational management, industry trends, water resource management, post-harvest operations, commercial strategies and the impacts of climate change.
The seminar also aims to help participants analyze their companies from an operational point of view and explore investment alternatives to increase productivity and competitiveness.
The event includes presentations and discussions led by industry experts according to the following program:
| TIME | TOPIC | PRESENTER/MODERATOR |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 - 8:40 | Welcome | |
| 8:40 - 9:05 | Welcome Speech | Authorities of the Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, U. de Chile |
| 9:05 - 9:30 | Notions of operations management and their impact on competitiveness | Ing. Agr. MBA Daniel Esparza, Professor, U. de Chile operations |
| 9:30 - 9:55 | A "selfie" of the Chilean fresh blueberry industry: "operations - strategy" alignment | Dr. Marcos Mora, Professor Department of Rural Management and Innovation, Fac. Cs. Agr. Ing. Agr. Fernando Martino, Consultant, General Director G and M EIRL |
| 9:55 - 10:20 | Situation of blueberries and other frozen berries in Chile and the world: operational and strategic "fresh-frozen" link | Ing. Agr. Mario Garcés, former Director of production and operations and current consultant of Comfrut |
| 10:20 - 10:45 | Round table | Moderator: Dr. Marcos Mora, Director Department of Rural Management and Innovation, Fac. Cs. Agronomic, U. de Chile. |
| 11:10 - 11:35 | Case a: an experience of blueberry orchard and harvest management in a medium-scale, conventional and organic, multi-product farm: critical points and their management | Ing. Agrícola Felipe Fernández, Director, Agricola, APF (Blueberries, Apples and Walnuts). |
| 11:35 - 12:00 | Water resource management and its impact on the production operation | Dr. Ing. Agr. Julio Haberland, Professor Fac. Cs. Agronomic, U. de Chile. Specialist in irrigation, drainage and water management. |
| 12:00 - 12:25 | Case b: Post-harvest operations, process and logistics management: a multi and mono-packing experience | Director of Process and Logistics Operations (to be defined) and Post-harvest Expert U. de Chile (to be confirmed). |
| 12:25 - 12:50 | Case c: Commercial operations management and implementation of the vertical integration strategy | Ing. Agr. M.Sc. Fernando Martino, General Director Consultant G&M EIRL |
| 12:50 - 13:15 | Case d: Management control - quality and timeliness of information for the tactical, operational and strategic decision-making process | Ing. Agr. Marco Rojas, Production and management control consultant of agricultural variables |
| TIME | TOPIC | PRESENTER/MODERATOR |
|---|---|---|
| 13:15 - 13:45 | Round table | Moderator: Mg. Cs. Ing. Agr. Juan Katunaric, producer, exporter and academic Fac. Cs. Agronomic, U. de Chile |
| 13:45 - 15:00 | LUNCH | |
| 15:00 - 15:25 | Systems for control and operational decision-making: implementation, benefits and costs of the recording culture | Ing. Commercial Juan Ignacio Monasterio, AGRI Software |
| 15:25 - 15:50 | Climate change in Chile and how it affects operations: flee or fight? | Ing. Agr. Juan Manuel Uribe, Professor Fac. Cs. Agronomic, U. de Chile, Specialist in Agroclimatology |
| 15:50 - 16:15 | Anticipating climate change: what decisions to make to mitigate the impact. The Mediterranean experience | Ing. Agr. Jorge Duarte, consultant to producers in Europe, North Africa and the Caucasus. |
| 16:15 - 16:40 | Varietal replacement: what criteria to consider for decision-making | Dr. Ing. Agr. Carlos Muñoz, producer, geneticist, researcher U. de Chile |
| 16:40 - 17:05 | Evolution in the world of varietal replacement and its impact on supply and markets | Ing. Agr. Ernesto Pino, General Director Fall Creek Chile |
| 17:05 - 17:30 | Cultivation technologies in pots and tunnels: comparative results in the Mediterranean | Ing. Agr. Jorge Duarte, Consultant to producers in Europe, North Africa and the Caucasus. |
| 17:30 - 18:00 | Round table | Moderator: Dra., Ing. Agr. Loreto Prat, Professor Fac. Cs. Agronomic, U. de Chile. Specialist in blueberry genetics. |
The event will be held in person at the University of Chile.
For information and registration: University of Chile.
