AQUA4D is delighted to welcome two experienced new members to its US team. Based at the regional office in Visalia, California, Dan Borboa (Area Sales Manager) and Benjamin Merritt (Field Manager) will serve the growing customer base in the region. With several decades of ag experience between them, we caught up for a wide-ranging chat about their past, present and future – and how they believe AQUA4D technology can help some of the biggest issues facing Californian agriculture.
Q: Welcome to the team! What were you doing before you came here to AQUA4D?
Ben: I was managing my own business for several years, to do with pump efficiency testing. This connects perfectly with AQUA4D, with the key importance of pumping and water treatment, so it was a perfect match.
Dan: I was working for an agtech company with various systems supporting growers. I became very passionate about the topic. With sales experience of 35 years, now I’m closer to the grower and helping with their issues. I can now help them preserve their lands while cutting their inputs and increasing profitability – all while providing food for America and the world, that’s powerful.
Q: What persuaded you both to make a change and join AQUA4D?
Ben: I wanted to add something new and to really offer more. Coming across AQUA4D, I saw an opportunity I didn’t want to miss out on, working with a good company on important matters.
Dan: The company I was at was staying small and not investing in the future. I met some colleagues who work with AQUA4D, got an introduction and here I am a few months later. I’m honored to be part of a spectacular company that provides what growers need. For conventional growers with costs rising, it just gives a fresh perspective to be able to keep these growers in business.
Ben overseeing his first AQUA4D installation in California.
What were your first impressions of AQUA4D® technology?
Ben: I was impressed; I met Jeff and Yvain and they both got my attention. At first I was a little skeptical about the technology, that it seemed too good to be true. From the outside looking in, it can seem hard to understand, but I’ve now seen amazing things first-hand and 100% believe in it. It’s a one-of-a-kind revolutionary technology and the answer for a lot of these farmers.
Dan: When I first met the staff and started digging into what it offers, I was in awe and thought this is too good to be true. As I started learning more, I was able to absorb it all and realized the enormous opportunity we have in. I immediately became a believer, and now when I’m in front of growers they see the passion. You’ve got to believe in what you’re selling.
What are the biggest differences AQUA4D® can bring to Californian agriculture?
Ben: Sustainability and increasing the amount of time we can continue farming here, and passing it down to future generations, keeping family farms in the family.
Dan: Helping conventional growers who are spending a fortune on inputs to be able to cut back and create dramatic output with less input. California is the salad bowl of the world, we can’t afford to not have these growers producing. I see AQUA4D coming in and helping preserve the growers stay in business and preserve soils and mother earth at the same time.
What problems can AQUA4D® help alleviate?
Ben: Water scarcity issues can certainly be alleviated – despite the recent rain it’s still gonna be an issue. With SGMA here in California and restrictions on the water we can grow with, having to farm with less water than we’re used to is one of the biggest solutions we can bring to farmers here and around the US.
Dan: It can help improve soil salinity, that’s one of the major issues. The ground here is so encrusted with chemicals. To be able to revive the soil and use less fertilizer more efficiently – that’s a huge impact on a grower’s bottom line too.
Animation: How AQUA4D® irrigation manages salinity and allows irrigation with saline water
What are the most exciting things you’ve seen so far?
Ben: There’s an orchard in the Central Valley I’ve driven past for 7 years as it’s on a major expressway and I saw it in its worst days. Now to see it green and growing again thanks to AQUA4D, that’s a big wow factor. It’s pretty miraculous to see the difference.
Dan: Seeing the growers’ reaction during and after a presentation is amazing. We had an installation last week, and already we are seeing dramatic results there in the soil in terms of salts reduction and more moisture. That blew my mind!
What are the biggest obstacles to change in American agriculture?
Ben: Some people are skeptical of new things, and some have some traumas with tech failing in recent years just based on their lack of customer service. A lot of farmers want to advance and realize they can do a lot more than just drive around in a truck with a shovel.
I think bringing the tech support along with the tech itself is huge, and to give them your time and win their trust – that’s what we’re doing.
Dan: In years gone by, tech came to California and tarnished the market to some extent. A lot of companies came in, sold a product and walked away. So growers are skeptical that things are too good to be true. But we can actually prove through our research and installations that this really works. Now it’s time to hold growers’ hands and explain what we see and what we can do. It’s not too to be true, it is true.
Can you sum up AQUA4D in 3 words?
Ben: Efficient, revolutionary, hi-tech.
Dan: I have a lot more than three words, but I’ll try! Mind-blowing-technology. Because it’s truly blowing my mind!
What do the next 6-12 months look like for you guys?
Ben: They’re gonna be really really good – we’re gonna see a huge breakthrough and turning point in California. It’s gonna be fun and interesting to start seeing AQUA4D around a lot more in the region’s farms. There’s a big new tomato project we have which was the first one I helped install, and the first harvest will be in August. It’ll be fun to see how it all plays out. The owner is already calling Jeff (Nunes) and saying he’s seeing differences!
Dan: I believe we are on a huge rollercoaster ride with a lot of excitement coming up. With the irons in the fire and the accounts we’re pursuing, and the buzz we are creating in the irrigation tech market, we’re going on a sweet ride. There’s so much to be done and no time to waste!
It’s a spectacular time right now, especially with all the changes in the farming industry. Having a product that protects mother earth, and pays for itself in a year or two, what more can we ask for?
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Ben & Dan, thank you and all the best!
California
Water-Smart Agriculture
Precision Irrigation
“There’s an orchard in the Central Valley I’ve driven past for 7 years as it’s on a major expressway and I saw it in its worst days. Now to see it green and growing again thanks to AQUA4D, that’s a big wow factor.” – Benjamin Merritt
“AQUA4D can help improve soil salinity, one of the major issues. The ground here is so encrusted with chemicals. To be able to revive the soil and use less fertilizer more efficiently – that’s a huge impact on a grower’s bottom line too.” – Dan Borboa
Ben with Field Manager Jeff Nunes at a new AQUA4D installation in Southern California.