Interview: Jesus Alberto Molina Meza CEO of operations and harvest coordinator at Vitanova Fresh Produce
Jesus Alberto Molina Meza, Agronomist graduated from the Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa (UAS), shares his passion and commitments to agriculture with us during this interview, emphasizing the values that determine the success at his job as Director of operations and Harvest coordinator at Vitanova Fresh Produce, located in Guasave, Sinaloa.
- Could you tell us a little about your professional experience?
My beginnings in the agricultural sector date back to 1994, when I had the opportunity to collaborate on a tomatoes certification program developed by the Comisión de Investigación y Defensa de las Hortalizas (CIDH).
After seven years, because of the invitation of Dr. Valenzuela, I joined Mayer Tomatoes in the area of supervision of fields across the state of Sinaloa and part of Sonora.
After that, because of the invitation of Dr. Tanaka, I joined the team of Pacific Tomato Growers, who had the initiative to work with someone here in Sinaloa. After some time the project evolved and became what we know today as Vitanova Fresh Produce.
2. How is a regular work day for you?
We usually hold a meeting every afternoon, prior to the next work day, to discuss the outstanding and program activities. Generally I arrive very early to the company, so the rest of the technical team, and review some pending purchases and repairs to be done. I walk through the fields with my team and correct things as we go, always looking for the improvement.
At noon we come back and eat in the premises of the farm, as most of us live far away from there; during this time we talk about pending to be done in a more relaxed atmosphere. We clear our minds a bit, sometimes playing volleyball and later return to our activities. At the end of the day we present results, analyzed the slopes for the next day and prepare everything, and the cycle begins again.
3. As an expert, what are the main threats that could affect agricultural fields?
In our case, fortunately, the fields are located in an area where many of the most common risks are minimized because there’s no presence of livestock in the surrounding , industrial operations or nearby communities.
I think one of the riskiest thing is the water source, due to the nature of these channels, which is why we have plants of potable water.
In addition, we implemented different prevention and control systems, so we can analyze and eliminate any risk quickly and effectively.
4. How is the technology implemented in the field activities?
I think technology has allowed us to maintain constant communication between all the employees involved in these activities, which allows us to know in real time what is happening and if any critical situation occurs, you have the opportunity to correct it immediately.
Moreover, we have initiated a food safety project, developing an application for smartphones or tablets that help us to keep better control.
In the future we will surely adopt the most competitive technology, such as drones.
5. How Vitanova Fresh gives a competitive advantage to its product?
I think that is an intangible issue, it’s honesty. This factor is very important and when you apply it in your daily activities the result is always good. If you aren’t honest you give rise to many irregularities.
We received consistently both certifications as customer visits and the second one is the most important to us, and in each one remain calm because we have nothing to hide. It is mostly a work philosophy for us.
6. What are the benefits of certification your area?
These days if something is not certificate has no value, then an uncertified production is worthless.
There are many certification schemes that focus on processes, packaging, social responsibility, etc. .; all of them are a puzzle. Maybe all you do is ok but if we don’t apply this in the field production all goes wrong, because in the end it is the foundation of what you’re doing.
7. How do you think that influences the fact that Vitanova Fresh is a company with roots in United States?
Undoubtedly we’ve adopted many practices that they carry out in California or Florida. The design of our fields is different from the rest of the companies here in Sinaloa; the way we do things varies and, indeed, this benefits us as we instill a similar mindset as theirs. Because of this we maintain a much higher commitment to what we do: the quality of the product, safety systems, etc.
I think all these have generated very good results and we are confident and assured that we will meet every request that each of our customers that visit us has.
8. What has been your main learning during this time at Vitanova Fresh?
As I mentioned above, I adopted the culture of doing things right.
Vitanova is a company that is attached to Mexican law and obviously United States law, and know you’re doing things right gives you tranquility and security every day.
9. Anything else you want to add?
We are always looking for our workers personal safety. If we’re not ok then it’s very difficult to make things right, that’s why I believe security is paramount; after this comes food safety and then the final production.
But basically in that order: you’re right, you do things right and the results will be good.