What was the challenge/problem addressed?
Growing hops, as an agricultural activity, faces many challenges. Climate change is an important one because it has a direct impact on yield, due to the stress it generates on the plant and the increased pressure of pathogens. It is necessary to improve processes, involving the corresponding actors.
How did you solve the problem?
We are conducting, among others, Pest Management trials, fertilization and irrigation trials, CO2 footprint analysis, composting trials, studies of operational costs, digital management of parcels…
What is innovative in your practical case?
It’s the first time that a project has addressed globally the challenges faced by the crop. Some of the methods used are equally innovative, as digital management, integrated pest control, etc.
What are the success factors in solving the problem?
All participating actors have had a high level of commitment to the project. Hop growing in Spain is not a big sector and we have a nice support from Universities and Research Institutes
Lessons learned
We have learn to work and coordinate multiple teams successfully. Together we have been able to respond the challenges faced. We have begun to know how an IPM can be implemented in Hop Growing, we have learn more about the needs of water and nutrients in the different phases in our growing region…
What role does the advisor or advisory service play with the practical case?
The advisor planned and coordinated all the objectives and activities of the project. The advisor carried out a SWOT analysis of the sector, and objectives and actors were selected to develop the CAME
Can your approach be transferred and/or adapted for other innovation challenges and regions?
Yes
Estimated transferability on a scale from 1 to 5
(where 1 is easy and 5 very difficult)
4
For sharing the experience on the good practice, please contact
Javier Fraile Marcos
tecnico.lupulosdeleon@gmail.com
Link to external information