FARMWISE at HortiFruit: Turning Research into Dialogue with the Agri-Food Sector in Southeast Spain

How can digital tools, data, and scientific knowledge better support farmers, companies, and public authorities facing increasing water and climate pressures?
And what happens when European research projects step out of the lab and into direct conversation with the agri-food sector?

In November, FARMWISE brought these questions to HortiFruit, one of the leading trade fairs for fruit and vegetable production in southeast Spain.

FARMWISE partners on the exhibition floor

On 20–21 November, FARMWISE was represented at a dedicated booth by partners:

• Centro de Edafología y Biología Aplicada del Segura (CEBAS-CSIC)
• COBET Tratamientos del Agua
• Nutricontrol

Together, they engaged with companies, organisations, and professionals from across the southeast of Spain, explaining how the FARMWISE project applies artificial intelligence, precision agriculture, and decision-support systems to improve the management of water, nutrients, and soils.

Rather than focusing on theory alone, discussions centred on real-world applications, including digital crop monitoring, irrigation efficiency, water reuse, and data-driven decision-making tailored to Mediterranean farming systems.

A collaborative workshop with regional stakeholders

On the morning of 21 November, FARMWISE partners also took part in a hands-on collaborative workshop held at the CIFEA in Torre Pacheco, organised by Óscar Miguel Blanco Sierra (UPV-CSIC) within Case Study 4.

The workshop brought together companies, researchers, farmers, and representatives of public administrations, creating space for open discussion on future challenges and solutions for water and agricultural management in the region.

Contributions included:

• Francisco Pedrero Salcedo (CEBAS-CSIC), who presented scientific projections and key results related to water-use efficiency and agronomic sustainability
• José Alberto García (COBET Tratamientos del Agua), who shared practical solutions for water treatment and reuse
• Juan Luis Martínez (Nutricontrol), who showcased advances in IRIS, a digital monitoring module within UCROP, demonstrating how real-time data supports more precise crop management

Reaching beyond the project consortium

In addition to the booth and workshop, FARMWISE partners also organised an individual presentation session within the HortiFruit programme, further widening the project’s reach among fair participants.

By combining exhibition presence, technical presentations, and interactive stakeholder dialogue, FARMWISE ensured that research and innovation were discussed directly with those who will ultimately apply, regulate, and benefit from these solutions.

Why does this matter?
Because meaningful impact happens when innovation is co-developed, questioned, and refined together with end-users. The exchanges at HortiFruit will directly inform ongoing FARMWISE case studies and future stakeholder engagement activities, helping ensure that project outcomes are not only innovative, but practical and relevant on the ground.