• The Official Association of Agricultural Engineers has recognised the technology centre’s 175-year history and its contribution to innovation in agriculture, livestock farming and forestry
• The official award ceremony took place on 15 May in Zaragoza, coinciding with the San Isidro festivities

The Official Association of Agricultural Engineers of Aragon, Navarre and the Basque Country has awarded NEIKER the title of “Honorary Member” this year. With a history spanning 175 years, this technology centre specialises in creating innovative solutions for the agricultural, livestock and forestry sectors. “Our history dates back to the creation of the Model Farm in 1851, and this award recognises our ability to adapt, decade after decade, to the changing needs of the countryside. It is, in short, a recognition of applied science that seeks to secure the future of the sector,” explains the director of the technology centre, Olatz Unamunzaga.

 

Integrated research for the competitiveness and sustainability of the rural sector

In terms of its role, NEIKER seeks to enhance the sector’s competitiveness and sustainability through research and applied science. To this end, the centre carries out integrated work across various fields. In the area of animal health, plant health and public health, the focus is on disease prevention and reducing the use of plant protection products and antibiotics ; in the field of soils, research is conducted into soil health and quality to improve productivity and biodiversity ; it also promotes genetic improvement to obtain more resistant and productive plant and animal varieties, and incorporates high-tech solutions that transform the sector towards systems that facilitate generational renewal.

“In short, we promote innovative and environmentally friendly production processes that ensure the production of high-quality food and the conservation of the landscape, without ever losing sight of the profitability and competitiveness of farms,” emphasises Unamunzaga.

 

Technological advancement and preparing for the challenges of the future

Finally, with regard to the future of the sector, NEIKER believes that the priority is to tackle challenges such as climate change, generational renewal and the constant need to remain competitive and sustainable. “We consider it essential to continue driving the modernisation of the sector. To achieve this, we are committed to enhancing knowledge transfer through the use of demonstration plots, living labs and open calls for innovative ideas – practices that ensure our work always incorporates the sector’s direct perspective,” says the director.

Added to this is the fact that NEIKER’s ultimate goal is “to always be one step ahead: to identify today the problems the sector will face tomorrow so that we have the solution ready before it is too late”.