• We play a prominent role in this edition with presentations focused on offering technological solutions to the agricultural sector
• Our participation is part of the AGRI-TECH strategic project we have been working on for five years, through which we seek to promote the technological transition of the Basque agricultural sector

 

More than 8,000 professionals from the agricultural sector are gathering this week at the ‘Feria del Campo 4.0’ (Field Fair 4.0), officially known as Expo Agritech Málaga, an event that has established itself as a national benchmark for learning about the latest technological innovations applied to agriculture and livestock farming.

In line with this, NEIKER has a prominent presence at this year’s event, participating in two presentations focused on offering technological and sustainable solutions to the agricultural sector.

The first, entitled ‘Are biostimulants and biofertilisers proven to be effective for all agricultural sectors?’, analyses the real effectiveness of these inputs, with the participation of Dr Ana Díez, from NEIKER’s Plant Production and Protection Department. This session examines whether biostimulants and biofertilisers, which promise to improve productivity, soil health and sustainability, work in the same way in all crops and conditions, showing results and field experiences that allow us to differentiate between products with proven value and those that still need to demonstrate their effectiveness.

Following this, the talk ‘Technology and innovation in adverse climate scenarios: virtual weather stations and water use. Key elements for the transformation towards a WATERPOSITIVE path’ seeks to focus on water management and technological innovation. During this session, Dr. Amaia Ortiz, head of the Plant Production and Protection Department, will explain how virtual weather stations and smart water management tools make it possible to anticipate droughts and extreme events, plan irrigation more accurately and efficiently, and help farms become more profitable and sustainable even in adverse scenarios.

 

Research and innovation available at the stand

In addition to participating in the technical agenda, we have our own stand in the exhibition area of the fair, where we showcase the use of research and innovation as a tool for developing more sustainable and efficient agriculture. In this space, we have the opportunity to present the main infrastructures we have in this area, such as the largest experimental agrovoltaic unit in the State for arable crops, which, as Amaia Ortiz states, ‘researches how to efficiently combine agricultural production with electricity generation through solar energy on 8,000 m²’.

You can also see first-hand the work carried out on the 100 hectares of experimental farms, where new agricultural practices and technologies applied to the field are tested, as well as in greenhouses equipped with climate-controlled hydroponics and aeroponics systems, which allow for soil-free cultivation, optimising the use of water and nutrients. In addition, there are high biological containment areas (NCB2-3 and NCB3-P), which are essential for safely researching diseases that affect crops, ensuring safety in all trials.

Alongside these infrastructures, the centre showcases its main innovation projects, such as the optimisation of vertical vegetable production in indoor conditions, which increases yield and reduces resource consumption; the use of biostimulants in bioponics to improve plant health; the application of precision agriculture to irrigation and fertilisation using satellite imagery; Virtual Livestock Fencing (HESIA), which facilitates pasture management; and early detection of potato virus Y (PVY) using machine learning.

These initiatives are part of the AGRI-TECH strategic project that the centre has been working on for five years, which seeks to promote the technological transition of the Basque agricultural sector towards more profitable, productive and environmentally sustainable production models.