AQUAGRI-KNOW, a project to optimise water management through sustainable solutions for farmers

AQUAGRI-KNOW, a project funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe programme and coordinated by the BETA TC, has officially started this February. The start of this project marks a key step towards improving water management in the agri-food sector in Europe. Currently, agriculture consumes, on average, 40-60% of water resources, so the project aims to introduce innovative, sustainable and efficient solutions that ensure the long-term viability of the agricultural sector and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

During its three-year duration, AQUAGRI-KNOW will seek to bridge the gap between research and practice through the knowledge produced by 12 EIP-AGRI (European Innovation Partnership for Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability) Task Forces. These collaborative teams, made up of farmers, researchers and agricultural experts, function as innovation hubs, which will test and share best practices to optimise water management in agriculture.

‘Our expectation is not only to optimise water use, but also to help develop roadmaps to replicate innovative solutions for efficient water management in the sector and set a new standard for sustainability in agriculture in Europe,’ explains Carla Febrer Sanglas, Technical Specialist in Governance for Sustainability projects at BETA TC and Technical Coordinator of the project.

AQUAGRI-KNOW brings together 12 partners from leading institutions in Spain, Belgium, Italy, Poland and Cyprus with the core mission to develop a circular water value chain. The initiative focuses on four key strategies: Water Use, Smart Crops, Water-Soil Interface and Water Reuse. To achieve these objectives, the project emphasises the reduction of on-farm water consumption, the integration of digitalisation in irrigation systems and the promotion of resilient crops. In addition, it aims to regenerate soil quality, protect groundwater resources and enhance water reuse, both internally within industries and across sectors.

‘One of the main contributions of AQUAGRI-KNOW will be the development of new materials and methodologies to accelerate the dissemination and replication of the results generated in the Task Forces,’ adds Carla Febrer.

Project stages

AQUAGRI-KNOW will systematically develop and implement its methodology in several steps. The project will start by collecting and analysing the knowledge produced by the EIP-AGRI Task Forces to identify best practices in sustainable water management. This knowledge will then be adapted to the specific needs of farmers and aligned with EU policies, ensuring both scientific relevance and practical applicability. The findings will be translated into user-friendly tools such as training materials, digital resources and decision support guides. Through regional workshops, online platforms and cross-border collaborations, the project will facilitate knowledge exchange and foster learning between farmers, researchers and policy makers.

Finally, the initiative will work to broaden its impact by promoting international cooperation and integrating successful water management strategies into wider agricultural networks, ensuring long-term sustainability. This process will ensure that solutions are not only scientifically validated, but also practical and adaptable for farmers.