Know more about Veggies From Mexico: Metrology
Metrology is the science of measurement. It studies, establishes, and applies methods and systems to obtain reliable, accurate, and traceable measurements. Metrology ensures that whenever we measure something, the results are correct and comparable anywhere in the world.
Metrology originated when humans needed to measure for commercial transactions or construction, using parts of the body such as the elbow or foot as reference units; going through a series of units developed by each village or region across the world, which caused problems because their magnitudes were not equivalent. Around the 18th century, they were at need to unify measurements during scientific development and the first signs of globalization. This is when the decimal metric system was born, establishing the first universal units such as the meter, kilogram, and second. This system has evolved to the present day, becoming the International System of Units (SI), which uses physical constants to define magnitudes.
In the farming industry we need to measure, in order for us to know how far apart seeds should be planted in the soil, how much water to use for irrigation, the temperature of cold storage rooms, or the weight of a box of vegetables I am selling, among many other examples. These measures must be as accurate as possible, as they could lead to various problems, from financial losses to food safety, worker safety, and environmental risks.
<<<<<.
.
Some examples of equipment used in farming include scales, thermometers, conductivity meters, pH meters, spray pumps, measuring jugs and graduated cylinders, measuring tapes, tensiometers, and hygrometers.
The equipment and instruments used for measurements are gradually deteriorating due to environmental conditions these are exposed to, natural wear and tear of their components, misuse, and dirt accumulation, to name a few causes. Therefore, they must undergo a program of constant maintenance and calibration to remain in optimal condition for their intended duties.
Calibration, in turn, is simply the comparison of our instruments and equipment with traceable patterns, taking into account measurement uncertainty. Based on this information, it can be determined whether the equipment needs any adjustment, repair, or replacement.
.
.
At Eleven Rivers Growers, we conduct internal audits of farming businesses belonging to the Veggies From Mexico Community, taking into account the equipment calibration matter, and ensuring metrological traceability. We work our way up to each level, in order to reach the international standard, as shown in the following image.
.
Measuring equipment must be compared to the Work Pattern at the first level of the pyramid. The work pattern is compared to the Reference Pattern belonging to a certified calibration laboratory. The reference standard is traceable to the Domestic Pattern, located at the National Metrology Center (CENAM), and finally, this in turn to the International Pattern, a global benchmark held by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM), located in France.
.
