Field Visit and Third Participatory Workshop in Axarquía

On November 19th, BIOAZUL, in collaboration with TROPS, organized a field visit to our experimental plot in Axarquía (Algarrobo, Málaga). The event gathered 25 participants, including farmers, irrigation communities, local stakeholders, and professionals from the sector. During the day, attendees learned about the progress in the use of reclaimed water for subtropical crops such as avocado, mango, passion fruit, and pitaya. Additionally, digital tools under development within the AXARQUÍA SOSTENIBLE and BONEX projects were presented.

Field Visit to the Living Lab Axarquía

The day began with a tour of the demonstration plot. Guillermo Moreno, R&D+i and Sustainability Project Manager at TROPS, explained the advances of the AXARQUÍA SOSTENIBLE operational group. This group focuses on the use of reclaimed water for irrigation, both in established crops and emerging alternatives in the region. This resource optimizes water and nutrient use, reducing the need for fertilizers.

We also presented a digital tool designed to calculate the optimal amount of fertilizers based on the nutrient content of reclaimed water. This technological development is supported by agronomic and eco-physiological studies that enable more efficient irrigation management according to the crops’ seasonal needs.

David Escutia, Manager of the Algarrobo Irrigation Community, highlighted the community’s interest in deepening their knowledge about the use of reclaimed water to share it with local irrigators. Jorge González, Senior Technician at CSIC-IHSM La Mayora, explained the monitoring of crop behavior with reclaimed and conventional water, analyzing plant growth, fruit production, and drainage water monitoring. These studies help determine the water consumption of crops and nutrient accumulation in the substrate

Third Participatory Workshop of BONEX

The second part of the event was dedicated to the third participatory workshop of the BONEX project, funded by the PRIMA Foundation. This initiative seeks to integrate the WEFE Nexus approach (water, food, energy, and ecosystems) into the sustainable management of natural resources.

Our colleague and project coordinator, Rafael Casielles, explained the WEFE Nexus concept and the importance of integrated resource management. The use of reclaimed water and the risks associated with potential diffuse pollution due to excess nutrients were also addressed. In this context, we presented the pilot version of the digital tool that BIOAZUL has developed for the Spanish pilot of the project at the Living Lab Axarquía. This tool accurately calculates fertilizer dosages by considering the nutritional content of reclaimed water. Its use represents significant savings for farmers and helps prevent eutrophication of water bodies.

Álvaro García, our colleague and technician at BIOAZUL, shared the initial results obtained with the tool, highlighting savings in nutrients and costs compared to conventional water sources.

Participatory Session and Strategic Plan for Axarquía

To conclude the day, attendees participated in a group work session to identify actions and resources needed for the effective implementation of the nutrient management tool in Axarquía. This exercise addressed barriers and opportunities for its large-scale application, promoting a culture of innovation in sustainable agriculture in the region.

This event marks a key step in the development of the Axarquía Strategic Plan, a tool designed to address the territory’s needs and tackle the challenges of climate change.

We thank all participants for their enthusiasm and commitment, reaffirming our dedication to agricultural sustainability and innovation in water management.