The MAPA promotes the VI International Course on Design, Management and Innovation in Irrigation
Description
The 2026 Continuing Education Program for Rural Technicians includes the 6th International Course on Irrigation Design, Management, and Innovation , advanced training aimed at strengthening technical skills in a strategic area for agriculture. Irrigation is key due to its contribution to productivity—the yield of irrigated hectares is far greater than that of dryland farming—and its ability to guarantee harvests by reducing dependence on weather conditions. At the same time, the sector faces the challenge of producing more and better crops with more efficient use of water and energy .
In this context, the course proposes a comprehensive update on design, management and innovation in irrigation , incorporating the role of digital technologies (ICT, Big Data , Internet of Things , remote sensing and drones ) as levers to improve decision-making and the efficiency of irrigation systems.
Organization
The training is organized by the General Directorate of Rural Development, Innovation and Agri-food Training , through the General Sub-Directorate of Irrigation, Natural Paths and Rural Infrastructure , and is part of the training program of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) .
Structure, format and schedule
- Format: blended learning ( online + face-to-face sessions)
- Duration: 369 hours (22 weeks)
- Academic periods:
- From April 6 to June 26, 2026
- From September 7 to November 24, 2026
- Opening: March 31, 2026
- Closing/completion: November 24, 2026
- Online schedule: 4:00 PM–8:00 PM CET , Monday to Friday (online face-to-face mode)
- Practical exercises: a one-week face-to-face study trip ( November 16–20, 2026 ) to put the acquired knowledge into practice.
Course Content
The program is organized into six blocks and a final project :
Block 1. Irrigation Agronomy
- Water requirements and irrigation scheduling
- Fertigation Basics
Coordination: Rafael Baeza Cano (IFAPA) and José Miguel Guzmán (University of Almería)
Block 2. Fundamentals of hydrology and hydraulics
- Surface hydrology
- Hydraulics and pipe calculation
Coordination: Victoriano Martínez Álvarez (UPCT) and Fernando Espejo Almodóvar (University of Salamanca)
Block 3. Design and project of irrigation systems
- Sprinkler, surface and localized irrigation
Coordination: José Mª Tarjuelo (UCLM), Nery Zapata (CSIC–Zaragoza) and Virginia Palau (UPV)
Block 4. Irrigation Engineering. Network Distribution
- Irrigation networks, pumping stations, irrigation heads (fertilization and filtration) and unique elements
Coordination: Juan Manzano and Iban Balbastre (UPV)
Block 5. Innovation in irrigation
- Automation and remote control; remote sensing for management
- Energy optimization of pumps and networks
- Non-conventional water resources (reclaimed and desalinated) and integrated management
Coordination: Miguel Tejero (Riegosalz), Ricardo Abadía (UMH) and José Francisco Maestre (UPCT)
Block 6. Water governance, environmental assessment and new technologies
- Water governance
- Project safety and health
- New technologies (drones, Big Data, BIM)
- Small dams and reservoirs
- Environmental assessment of irrigation projects
Coordination: Juan Manuel Alameda (MAPA), Laura del Moral (MAPA), Mª José Rodríguez Largacha (INCOPE) and Javier Cabañero (SEIASA)
Final project
During the course, students will develop a group project to apply the theoretical content, based on the UNE 318003IN standard on irrigation works projects, which will culminate in the presentation of projects and the closing ceremony .
Objective and target audience
The course aims to train specialized technicians capable of responding to the sector's demand in design, management and innovation in irrigation , integrating agronomic, hydraulic, energy, environmental and governance criteria, with a practical and modernization-oriented approach.