Agrownet™ SOLID RAIN is made from potassium acrylate, a polymer that is non-toxic and appears in a white granular form. Its exceptional absorbent capacity allows it to store up to 500 times its weight in water, solidifying it. Once hydrated, the acrylate is dispersed around seedlings or seeds, gradually releasing water based on the specific needs of the crop.

In traditional irrigation methods like flooding, sprinkling, or drip irrigation, a significant amount of water is lost through filtration into the subsoil, making it less efficient for crops. SOLID RAIN drastically reduces these losses by up to 90%, optimizing the use of water, fertilizers, and other products. This also cuts costs and reduces time spent on irrigation and maintenance of pumping equipment, while requiring less skilled labor, resulting in more profitable crops.

SOLID RAIN comes in three types of granulation for various uses:

• Fine granulation: ideal for extremely dry soils like desert conditions.
• Medium granulation: suitable for general agricultural purposes.
• Coarse granulation: best for areas with more water, used for storage in solid form.

The product has an indefinite shelf life and can last up to 10 years in use, depending on soil and water conditions. At the end of its lifecycle, SOLID RAIN degrades into non-toxic potassium and carbon, making it 100% degradable.

Farmers use solid rain to store rainwater as an irrigation method. The powder is spread beneath crops, and when it rains, it turns into a gel, allowing water storage for up to six weeks. For one hectare of crops, 25 kilograms of the product are required.

"The results are extraordinary because the roots remain moist for two months, rehydrating repeatedly with rainfall," says Rico, who founded Silos de Agua in 2002 to market the product.

Solid rain boosts corn crop productivity fivefold, according to Rico in an interview with Expansion magazine. "We've already measured results in Jalisco’s maize crops, where a traditional irrigation system produced 500 kilos of corn per hectare, while with solid rain, we harvested 10 tons per hectare," he explains.

Additionally, Rico, a chemical engineer, notes that the system helps farmers save up to 80% on costs, as they require less water, fertilizer, electricity, and labor.

His product is already in use in Argentina, Ecuador, the United Arab Emirates, Spain, France, India, Israel, Peru, and Russia,