Events

As part of the "CIHEAM Zaragoza-Aula Dei Campus Conferences" series, Rosa Gallardo Cobos , director of the International Chair of Artificial Intelligence and Agriculture at the University of Córdoba (Spain), will offer the lecture "Challenges of digitalization to promote sustainable food systems." In the current context, marked by a dizzying technological revolution, digital tools in general, and artificial intelligence in particular, offer enormous potential for making better-informed decisions that improve profitability, resource efficiency, quality, market positioning, logistics, and consumer guarantees. REGISTRATION

Efficient field labor management is one of the greatest challenges facing the agricultural sector. Therefore, Hispatec Agrointeligencia will host a webinar entitled "Keys to Successful Field Labor Management: Digital Tasking" next Tuesday, May 13th, at 5:00 PM (Spain time) . This free event is aimed at agricultural professionals seeking to optimize their work processes. Managing and controlling work teams in the field is one of the activities that most impacts the profitability and sustainability of agri-food companies and cooperatives. This webinar will discuss practical strategies for implementing digital tasking , a key tool for recording and managing tasks performed, worker performance, associated costs, and resource use in real time. Miquel Villanueva , Marketing Director, and Chema García Soto , Presales Manager at Hispatec, will be in charge of presenting this technological solution that allows effective control of labor management, even in complex scenarios with dispersed productions or associated producer schemes. The seminar is designed to demonstrate how digital logging can be easily adapted to the real-world conditions of agricultural work and become a decisive factor in improving the sector's competitiveness. REGISTRATION

On May 14, 2025 , from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. CET , the European workshop entitled “The future of EIP-AGRI Operational Groups: challenges, opportunities and existing support services. Unlocking the potential of Operational Groups” will be held online. This initiative focuses on promoting cooperation and sharing practical tools to strengthen Operational Groups (OGs) in Europe. The event is the result of a collaboration between five EU-funded thematic networks: BBioNets , FOREST4EU , NUTRI-KNOW , Soil-X-Change and AQUAGRI-KNOW , which represent different levels of maturity in project implementation, from established initiatives to those in their early stages. This diversity will provide a broad and enriching insight into the functioning and challenges of GOs. During the workshop, key topics will be addressed such as: Factors that facilitate the creation of GO in different European contexts. Challenges faced by producers when developing or implementing a OG. Difficulties in the implementation of European projects, such as cost analysis and administrative complexity. Strategies and tools to promote the formation of new GOs. Under the theme "Collaboration in Action: Unlocking the Potential of Operational Groups," this event offers a unique opportunity for project teams, representatives from the agri-food sector, policymakers, and experts to discuss the future of Operational Groups as a driver of rural innovation. PROGRAM | REGISTRATION

As a result of the research project to develop a proposal for best available techniques for advanced agrocomposting of beef cattle manure , on May 20th Provacuno will hold a conference in Lorca (Murcia) where different agrocomposting scenarios will be demonstrated in a practical manner and a practical demonstration of the manufacture of complex compost-based pellets will be carried out. The event, which can also be followed online upon registration, is supported by Miguel Hernández University, the CIAGRO Institute for Agri-Food and Agro-Environmental Research and Innovation, the Polytechnic University of Valencia, Climate Farm Demo, JISAP, and Agrobank. The event will begin at 4 p.m. at the Riscal Hotel in Lorca with a presentation by Javier López, director of Provacuno , of the results of the advanced agrocomposting project for beef cattle manure. Next, Raúl Moral, Professor at Miguel Hernández University and expert in waste management, will discuss advanced manure composting and how it can generate better products on the farm. The program will continue with a presentation by Salvador Calvet and Elena Sanchís, from the Polytechnic University of Valencia, on the best available techniques for managing beef cattle manure. After the coffee break, Luciano Orden, from Miguel Hernández University , will present the development of advanced biofertilizers from this Provacuno project, with the subtitle of pelletization as added value, and Matilde Moro, director of Asoprovac , will introduce attendees to the Climate FArm Demo project. At 6:00 p.m., the group will move to the Living Lab at the JISAP Farm (Finca Pajel, Lorca) , where various agrocomposting scenarios will be demonstrated in a hands-on manner, along with a practical demonstration of how to manufacture complex compost-based pellets. The day will conclude at 7:30 p.m. REGISTRATION

As a result of the research project to develop a proposal for best available techniques for advanced agrocomposting of beef cattle manure , Provacuno will hold a workshop on May 29th where different agrocomposting scenarios will be demonstrated in a practical manner and a practical demonstration of the production of complex compost-based pellets will be carried out. The event, which can also be followed online upon registration, will address topics such as: Advanced manure composting and how it can produce better products on the farm. Best available techniques for beef cattle manure management Advanced biofertilizers : pelletization as added value Climate Farm Demo Project. Demonstration at the Living Lab at Finca Alfonso Vela . The event is supported by Miguel Hernández University, the CIAGRO Institute for Agri-Food and Agro-Environmental Research and Innovation, the Polytechnic University of Valencia, Climate Farm Demo, the Cogeces del Monte City Council, the Alfonso Vela Farm, and Agrobank. REGISTRATION

From June 10 to 12, 2025, CIHEAM Zaragoza will host the International Symposium "Empowering Women through Innovation in Mediterranean Agri-Food Systems." Organized by CIHEAM Zaragoza and the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), with the collaboration of the CIHEAM General Secretariat and the support of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), the event will bring together representatives of international organizations such as FAO, IFAD, OECD, the European Commission, ICARDA, and IWMI, as well as entrepreneurs, researchers, and members of civil society and the private sector. The symposium seeks to highlight the role of women as drivers of change toward more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient agri-food systems. A dynamic program, including lectures, roundtables, case studies, interactive workshops, and field visits, will address the main challenges and opportunities facing women in Mediterranean agriculture and rural areas. The event will also address how innovation—from digital technologies to agroecological and social solutions—can catalyze women's empowerment in agri-food systems, transforming traditional practices and promoting more sustainable and inclusive models. Highlights from the program include: High-level conferences on the latest trends in innovation applied to the agri-food sector, with a special focus on women-led approaches. Interactive workshops on technology and social innovation , designed to foster networking among women entrepreneurs, share experiences, and present pioneering projects in the agri-food value chain. Inspiring case studies of women leading technology initiatives in rural and agricultural areas of the Mediterranean. Field visits to local projects run by women, demonstrating how innovation transforms communities from the rural perspective. The symposium will also analyze the obstacles that limit women's access to technology, training, and financing, and will propose avenues for cooperation to build inclusive innovative ecosystems. In a context of climate change, resource scarcity, and digital transformation, the event is positioned as a strategic opportunity to redefine the role of women as drivers of change in Mediterranean agri-food. The event, which will feature in-person and virtual participation (subject to registration), will be a key platform for promoting strategic alliances, sharing best practices, and generating innovative solutions for women's empowerment in the agri-food sector. More information and registration will be available...