Agricultural innovation initiatives launched in Chile and Spain

New research and technological initiatives are being launched to address climate and economic challenges in the agricultural sectors of Chile and Spain.

In Chile, the Center for Research for Agri-food Transformation (CITAGRO) has been established to tackle large-scale environmental, economic, and social challenges. Led by Universidad Andrés Bello and Universidad de Talca, with partners including Universidad de Chile, Universidad de La Frontera, and UC Davis, the center employs a systemic approach. Its research agenda focuses on developing resilient crop varieties, promoting regenerative practices, circular economy models, and ensuring food sovereignty.

In Spain, the TECSOL-FRUT project is developing intelligent agrivoltaic solutions to help fruit crops adapt to climate change while advancing decarbonization. Coordinated by the Clúster de l’Energia Eficient de Catalunya (CEEC) and involving Eurecat, the project aims to combine renewable energy production with agriculture. These installations are designed to create favorable microclimates by providing shade, reducing thermal stress, and minimizing water evaporation, thereby protecting crop productivity and quality.