ClimaseQ – Irrigation management tool with alternative water sources for the resilience of horticultural farms

The CLIMASEQ project arose from the need to optimize agricultural irrigation management in a context of limited and uncertain availability of water resources such as groundwater, rainwater, and reclaimed wastewater.

The main objective is to improve irrigation efficiency by integrating short- and medium-term water availability forecasting into an advanced irrigation recommendation tool designed to adapt to the effects of climate change.

The project is comprised of INNOVI as group coordinator, Vilarnau as leader, Gramona and Agrícola Maresme as beneficiary companies, and Eurecat and IRTA as technology centers.

Main initiatives and strategies of the CLIMASEQ project

1. Development of a decision support tool (DST) specific to alternative water sources
   • Integration of data from diverse water sources (groundwater, rainwater, reclaimed) with limited and variable availability.
   • Creation of a tool that forecasts water availability in the short (week) and medium term (campaign).
2. Irrigation optimization under conditions of water uncertainty
   • Irrigation management strategies based on real-time data, including soil moisture, plant water potential, and weather forecasts.
   • Planning to adjust irrigation doses according to crop needs and water availability.
3. Deepening the use of advanced technologies
   • Using sensors, remote sensing, and simulations to obtain accurate and up-to-date information on crops and water resources.
   • Development of hydrogeological models to predict the availability of underground resources.
4. Promoting long-term sustainability
   • Planning the use of alternative water resources, ensuring the sustainability of farms and crops in future climate scenarios.
   • Optimizing Support Irrigation to Reduce the Impact of Droughts and Stabilize Production.
5. Visual and understandable representation for users
   • Platform that offers real-time physicochemical data (piezometric levels, conductivity, soil moisture, etc.).
   • Graphical tools to identify trends, detect anomalies, and make historical comparisons.
6. Demonstration in real crops
   • Implementation in representative crops: vines, fruit trees and vegetables.
   • Validation in real-life scenarios with different alternative water sources to ensure its applicability.
7. Creating an advanced and personalized recommendation system
   • Specific recommendations for each farm and crop, adapted to the specific conditions of each agricultural season.
   • Optimization based on the efficient distribution of available water throughout the campaign.

Project objectives 

1. Develop an advanced decision support system for irrigation with alternative water sources
   • Provide a comprehensive tool that helps farmers efficiently manage irrigation based on the availability and quality of groundwater, rainwater, and reclaimed water sources.
   • Ensure a short-term (week) and medium-term (campaign) vision to anticipate crop water needs.
2. Optimize irrigation management under conditions of limited and variable water availability
   • Adjust irrigation rates according to the immediate needs of the crop and the forecast availability of water resources.
   • Efficiently distribute available water throughout the campaign to ensure crop productivity and sustainability.
3. Promote sustainable management of water resources
   • Plan the use of alternative water sources over the long term, taking into account future climate scenarios and their viability for cultivation.
   • Reduce water consumption, avoiding excessive use and ensuring the sustainability of available resources.
4. Improving farm resilience to climate change
   • Strengthen productive stability during drought episodes through the use of alternative water resources.
   • Minimize dependence on conventional water sources affected by hydrological droughts.
5. Provide personalized, data-driven irrigation recommendations
   • Incorporate real-time information on soil moisture, plant water potential, and weather forecasts.
   • Generate recommendations tailored to the specific conditions of each farm and agricultural campaign.
6. Facilitate decision-making through an intuitive platform
   • Develop a visual interface that represents real-time monitored physical-chemical parameters, such as piezometric levels, conductivity, and soil moisture.
   • Allow for historical comparisons, pattern identification, and anomaly detection for better irrigation management.
7. Validate and demonstrate the effectiveness of the system in representative crops
   • Implement the tool in grape, fruit tree, and vegetable crops to ensure its applicability in different agricultural scenarios.
   • Adapt irrigation strategies to the specific characteristics of each crop and type of water source.

Action of the PAC Strategic Plan 2023-2027 co-financed by: