NEW
AGENDA 26th MARCH: Technical Workshop: Walnut Cultivation and Rhagoletis completa Control
25 February 2026
According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in 2023 nearly 4 kg of nuts were consumed per person in the Basque Country, of which about one kilo were walnuts. This consumption is driven by recent scientific studies demonstrating the benefits of regular walnut consumption for cardiovascular health.
However, only 20% of the nuts consumed are produced in the Basque Country, which opens a clear window of opportunity for the production and marketing of nuts in our territory. To explore this potential, ADR Añana and NEIKER have been collaborating for 6 years on a project to study the viability of these crops, their agro-climatic adaptation, and the varieties that offer the best performance.
At the Zambrana experimental farm, NEIKER is studying the technical feasibility of selected varieties, the agro-climatic potential of the area, and their growth, as well as the profitability of nut tree implantation to promote production in Álava. The trials in Zambrana are primarily focused on walnuts, as well as almonds and hazelnuts.
This year’s session is oriented towards the phytosanitary control of walnuts, focusing specifically on the issues caused by the emergence of the Rhagoletis completa (walnut husk fly) pest in our region. The life cycle of this pest will be detailed, and management strategies for its control will be presented.
- ORGANISED BY: ADR Añana, Viveros Galbis, ALCA and NEIKER.
- AIMED FOR: professionals in the agricultural sector, public administrations, companies and management centres.
PROGRAM
14:30 – 15:00 | Welcome coffee (Lantarón City Hall).
15:00 – 15:15 | Presentation of the workshop (LDE-ADR).
15:15 – 15:30 | Life cycle of Rhagoletis completa and incidence evolution in the Basque Country (NEIKER).
15:30 – 15:45 | Response of different walnut varieties (Viveros GALBIS).
15:45 – 16:00 | Control strategies for Rhagoletis completa (experience in other autonomous communities).
16:00 – 16:15 | Incidence, current situation, and control strategies (Provincial Councils of Álava, Bizkaia, and Gipuzkoa).
16:15 – 16:30 | Control tools and experience in recent years (Advisory technician).
16:30 – 16:45 | Control tools and experience in recent years (SEDQ Healthy Crops: Alfonso Lago —National Sales Director—, Alberto Gómez —R&D Director—, Raúl Marín —Northern Zone Representative—).
16:45 – 17:00 | Action plan to address the incidence in the Basque Country (NEIKER).
17:00 | Questions and answers.
