Event | Cross-visit

Cross-visit ‘Irrigation - optimising water use practices in annual (and perennial) crops’

Organised by EU CAP Network
07 May 2025, 09:00 08 May 2025, 17:00 CEST
English
Greece
In-person

The cross-visit ‘Irrigation - optimising water use practices in annual (and perennial) crops’ took place in Greece, on 7-8 May.

Irrigation - Optimising water use practices in annual (and perennial) crops

The competitiveness and resilience of the farming sector depend heavily on the availability and quality of natural resources. Plant water status is a key determinant of biomass production, making the optimisation of soil water availability a primary goal for farmers. In this context, irrigation is a key element in many agricultural systems.

Innovations to find solutions for challenges like imminent shortage of (irrigation) water, decreasing water quality or salinisation are now taken up in EIP-AGRI Operational Groups projects (OGs). These projects, that are testing innovations like precision irrigation systems, use of sensors, water storage solutions, monitoring and collaboration strategies.

During the cross-visit, the OG projects were invited to share their results and discuss further collaboration opportunities.

Main objective

The main objective of EU CAP Network cross-visits is to foster in-depth, transnational exchanges of knowledge, by connecting EIP-AGRI Operational Groups from different Member States that are active in the same field of work.

EIP-AGRI Operational Group projects (OGs) generate new knowledge and valuable experiences. OGs that tackle similar challenges may produce different results and benefit from learning from each other. Projects working on complementary issues may be inspired by each other, while new OGs that address similar issues may emerge in other regions and countries. To build on the knowledge generated and maximise its potential impact, interactions between projects and across borders are essential.

Specific objectives

Foster peer-to-peer learning: provide OGs with a platform to learn from each other's experiences, innovations, and best practices. Participants gain insights into different approaches to tackling common agricultural challenges.
Exchange innovative practices: facilitate the exchange of innovative solutions and technologies that are developed in OG projects. Participants can assess if these innovations are applicable in their own regions.
Discuss challenges and solutions: create an opportunity for OGs to discuss shared challenges, bottlenecks, and potential solutions. Collaborative problem-solving and knowledge-sharing are encouraged.
Disseminate project findings: promote the dissemination of project findings and outcomes beyond individual OGs. This contributes to the wider adoption of successful practices and innovations across the EU.
Establish collaborations and partnerships: encourage OGs to explore opportunities for future collaborations, partnerships, and joint projects. This enhances the impact of EU CAP Network initiatives.

If you have any questions, please contact crossvisit.innovation@eucapnetwork.eu.

Find out more information on the cross-visits.