NEIKER Strengthens Innovation in the Primary Sector Through Thirteen Strategic Initiatives for Agriculture, Livestock Farming and Forestry in the Basque Country
The Basque Country’s agri-food sector faces complex challenges in a context shaped by digitalisation, generational renewal, environmental sustainability and adaptation to climate change. Against this backdrop, NEIKER, in collaboration with the Basque Government, is developing 13 initiatives involving an investment of more than €2.5 million. These projects are designed to enhance health surveillance and transfer scientific knowledge to the primary sector, improving the competitiveness, resilience and profitability of agricultural, livestock and forestry holdings.
The initiatives cover virtually the entire Basque agroforestry value chain. Some strengthen health surveillance through the One Health approach, helping to anticipate emerging diseases that may affect both wildlife and livestock. Others focus on precision agriculture, the development of more resilient crops, and the conservation and genetic improvement of native breeds. They also include long-term trials in vineyards, fruit crops and forestry systems, as well as the use of digital technologies to optimise irrigation, fertilisation and greenhouse production. Their shared objective is to reduce uncertainty across the sector and enhance its capacity to adapt to global change.
According to Olatz Unamunzaga, Managing Director of NEIKER, “these initiatives aim to transfer knowledge and results that contribute to improving the profitability of farms, strengthening animal and plant health, and ensuring the sustainability of production systems.” She explains that “these projects arise from active engagement with the sector and are designed to deliver real impact. Some form part of the Berritzen knowledge transfer programme, others are included within the ‘Agritech’ axis to accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies, while others are based on the ‘One Health’ approach, which integrates animal, environmental and human health in order to anticipate emerging risks.”
The main areas of action and some of the advances already reaching the sector are outlined below.
