Biodiversity Foundation NEWAGROMARMENOR Project: Innovative agricultural practices to contribute to environmental and biodiversity improvement in the Mar Menor area
- Type Project
- Execution 2024
- Scope Europeo
- Main source of financing Fundación Biodiversidad
- Project website Web proyecto (Fundación Biodiversidad)
This project addresses new approaches to agricultural production in the Mar Menor Basin, aiming to minimize water input and fertilization with synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. It will develop agronomic practices such as deficit irrigation strategies and data monitoring of soil and plant water status. In addition, it will integrate intercropping and native vegetation to achieve high yields while maintaining quality with reduced fertilizer input and improving soil biodiversity and fertility.
These practices will be applied to more than 4,125 hectares of commercial plots of conventional production, introducing new technologies and strategies for controlling and managing irrigation water and fertilizers. Pests will also be monitored to reduce the use of pesticides.
Actions to reduce the water footprint on 120 hectares through sustainable fertigation strategies. Implementation of sustainable fertilization and soil restoration strategies. Water recovery and residue reduction in hydroponic crops using microwave technology. Diversification of cultivation systems to increase long-term agricultural sustainability, using a nature-based approach. Implementation of a pilot project for a network of traps based on Artificial Intelligence technology to monitor and predict pest development with the aim of reducing the application of pesticides on crops in the CVMM.
The project aims to achieve guidelines for the conservation and promotion of the productive and traditional landscape around the Mar Menor, through highly productive, technologically advanced, and environmentally friendly agriculture.
Its specific objectives include:
- Reduce the water and carbon footprint, and nitrate pollution.
- Use of inorganic and phytosanitary fertilizers.
- Regenerate soil structure.
- Increase the biodiversity of soil, entomofauna, and the microbiome.
- Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena
- Asociación de Productores-Exportadores de Frutas y Hortalizas de la Región de Murcia (PROEXPORT)
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