• On September 23 and 24, the Operational Groups will meet to exchange experiences and promote the transfer of innovative solutions that promote high value-added business models in the agrifood sector.
• The event is an opportunity for rural agents, such as companies and research centers, to learn about successful projects and evaluate their replicability.
• The conference will be held at NEIKER’s headquarters in Arkaute with field trips to Zambrana, Ribavellosa and Aramaio.

 

The agrifood sector and the rural environment are facing complex challenges that require innovative solutions. In this context, the projects of the AEI-AGRI Operational Groups, by generating new knowledge and valuable experiences, are key to mutual learning that promotes the application of solutions to common problems through innovation. In order to contribute to this interconnection, the PAC Network has designed a cycle of meetings to be held between May and December 2025, under different working themes.

The NEIKER technology center will host the conference on Business models for high value-added products in the food chain. This event, organized by the CAP Network belonging to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA), will take place at NEIKER’s facilities in Arkaute, Álava.

 

Exchange of knowledge and experience

The day will focus on improving productivity and differentiated quality, increasing added value, short channels and the generation of new products. The main audience will be the GGOOs, promoters of innovative projects, and other rural stakeholders such as research centers, companies and cooperatives. The objective is that these agents can learn first-hand about already validated projects and assess whether these innovations can be replicated in their own regions.

As part of the program, several projects will be presented, such as GO HIGOS (on innovative strategies for dried figs) and GO E-LOCALHUB (focused on the digitalization of extensive livestock farming). The day will also include presentations on territorial projects in nut crops, such as GO NUECES DE NERPIO and GO PISTACHO 4.0. The event is not only limited to presentations, as it includes study visits that allow attendees to learn about the technical feasibility of the projects in the field, such as the “Alternative crops project: Nut crops”.

 

Promoting innovation in the sector

The event is intended as a tool to facilitate communication between GGOOs and actors involved in European research and innovation projects. The focus is to provide a platform to learn from each other’s experiences and best practices, with the aim of fostering the generation of new ideas and that solutions tested in one area can be implemented in others.

 

Registration & Logistics

Attendance at the conference is free of charge and requires prior registration. To facilitate travel, a bus service will be provided from the center of Vitoria to the NEIKER center and the different scheduled visits, returning to Vitoria.