For Santiago Navarro, going through compulsory military service was a real before and after. His family lived in El Prat de Llobregat and his father was a construction worker. “When I finished my military service, at the beginning of the eighties, I had no project and I came with the family to Tivissa (Ribera d’Ebre), where my father bought a farm,” explains the protagonist. This is how they became a family of farmers.
From the initial farm, where they planted stone fruit trees (apricot, peach, nectarine…), they have grown to the current 180 hectares owned. “Most are from the forest; the cultivated ones are about 40 hectares”, Navarro qualifies. Forty years later, stone fruit is still the main product of Explotacions Agrícoles Mas de Baix, but the third generation of Navarrese has diversified the family business with the opening of a rural hotel at the end of 2020, which they have baptized Mas de l’Illa. “Agriculture does not attract my children, who have become more focused on tourism,” admits the owner. Navarro’s sister and a niece have also been involved in this new business leg of the company.
Those who do continue with the strictly agricultural business are Navarro, his wife (Rosa Segarra), a brother-in-law and a nephew. The annual production of fruit, which is also organic, is between 300,000 and 400,000 kg, which represents a turnover of around 350,000 euros. Marketing is carried out through the fruit and vegetable center Piñana Commerce (Agro-sorigue group).
Due to its innovative agricultural practices, Explotacions Agrícoles Mas de Baix has received the distinction of the best sustainable producer in Spain in 2023, awarded by BBVA and El Celler de Can Roca. The commitment to caring for biodiversity, renewable energy, efficient use of irrigation water and packaging with recyclable and compostable material stands out.
The farm uses nitric nitrogen probes for the balanced growth of its trees, and humidity probes for the optimization of water resources in the irrigation of the plantation. Also compostable and recyclable material in its packaging, and part of the energy is generated through its own solar panels. On the other hand, it promotes the care of biodiversity, both from the point of view of crops and through the control of pests and diseases.
