Netafim, a leader in smart irrigation solutions for a sustainable future, won first place in the 2016 Technical Novelty Competition at FIMA, the International Agricultural Machinery Fair, in Zaragoza, Spain. The award was granted to Regaber, Netafim’s distributor in Spain and Portugal, for DripNet PC — a compact integral pressure-compensated dripper that operates at an industry-best 0.4 l/hr. low-flow rate.

One of the world’s most important agricultural events, FIMA showcases agricultural technologies and machinery offered by some 1,250 companies to over 200,000 visitors from 64 countries.

“This award is further testimony to our R&D commitment enabling farmers to grow more yields with fewer resources. DripNet represents yet another step in our efforts to help combat global food and water scarcity,” said Netafim’s Head of EMEA Division, Gabriel Miodownik.

“We’re proud that our leadership and innovativeness are being recognized across the globe, including in Spain and Europe.”

Netafim was founded in Israel in 1965. The company pioneered the drip revolution in agricultural irrigation. Today, Netafim has 28 subsidiaries, 17 manufacturing plants and 4,300 employees worldwide.

Its DripNet system enables precise and uniform drip irrigation of water and fertilizer for open-field row crops such as vegetables, sugarcane and coffee beans. The system lowers flow rates to save on water, fertilizer and energy, while increasing yields.