Exclusive Interview with Mohamed Mekki Maalej, CEO of Irwise: Revolutionizing Agriculture with Innovative Technology
This morning, I had the opportunity to speak with Mohamed Mekki Maalej, CEO of Irwise, a promising startup founded in 2023 and labeled as a Startup Act company. Irwise offers an innovative solution: a remote command system for irrigation.
The application developed by Irwise allows farmers to manage all equipment on their connected fields via a mobile, iOS, and web application. This technology enables farmers to monitor the health and condition of their soil in real-time. The application also offers numerous benefits, including recommendations in case of over-irrigation. "The application detects this problem and proposes concrete solutions that the farmer can implement immediately," explains Mohamed.
Climate change has profoundly impacted agricultural practices. "The advice of our ancestors is no longer always adapted to these transformations," notes Mohamed. Irwise has therefore added features to detect problems such as water leaks in real-time. In case of detection, the system sends an alert and can even cut off electricity to avoid significant losses. This also applies to motor overheating issues.
In 2023, Irwise dedicated the year to research and development, generating a turnover of 40,000 dinars. By the second quarter of 2024, Irwise reached approximately 70,000 dinars in turnover, with orders totaling almost 120,000 dinars.
Irwise is generating significant interest among Tunisian farmers, as well as in Egypt and Algeria. In Algeria, a convention with the State has been signed, and installations will begin soon. It's worth noting that this solution has also obtained the Startup Act Algeria label. "The adoption of this solution facilitates farmers' work, reduces losses, provides a return on investment, and optimizes the management of the entire agricultural cycle," affirms Mohamed.
Installations carried out by Irwise have enabled a 35% reduction in water consumption, 20% reduction in energy bills, 15% reduction in fertilizer and pesticide use, and 65% reduction in farmers' working time, according to Maalej. Moreover, travel has decreased by 55%, demonstrating the perfect adaptation of this product to North African and Mediterranean agriculture. Land productivity has increased by more than 15%.
The return on investment is estimated to be between 8 and 12 months. Irwise has expansion plans in North Africa and is currently in discussions with Business France to penetrate the French market. "We are facing international competition, particularly from Spain and the United States, but our solution presents significant advantages," concludes Mohamed with a confident smile.
The future looks promising for Irwise and its team, determined to revolutionize agriculture through technological innovations adapted to the current and future needs of farmers.