1. FERTINNOWA, a H2020 thematic network
Els Berckmoes
Brussels,
23 January 2018
Logo cersaa verandere + logo niab emr toevoegen + logo van dgdrpac toevoegen

2. FERTINNOWA’s passport
Type of action: Thematic network (CSA), Water 4b call 2015
Transfer of innovative water technologies in fertigated crops
Focus: fertigated crops (vegetables, fruits & ornamentals)
Start: 01/01/2016 – 31/12 /2018
23 partners + 2 Linked third parties
(9 EU Member States + South Africa)
Horizon 2020

3. Why is there a need for a thematic network?
: a European benchmark study revealed that :
1. growers struggle to
achieve sufficient and qualitative irrigation water
use irrigation water in an more efficient way
avoid run-off leaching and manage waste fertigated water.
2. knowledge & innovative technologies are available but are not implemented by the growers.
FERTINNOWA

4. FERTINNOWA’s main objective
To collect, exchange, showcase and transfer innovative water management solutions and best practices to improve water & nutrient use efficiency and water quality and reduce the environmental impact of fertigated horticulture production systems.

5. FERTINNOWA concept X 20 times all over Europe Bottom-up approach
Growers in country A experience a water problem
Number of possible solutions available in EU
X 20 times all over Europe
Could it work ? (technological, socio-economic, regulatory?)

6. Obj 1: mapping the current situation
371 grower’s interviews carried out in Europe & South-Africa
513 cropping systems
Focus on:
Technologies applied
Technological, socio-economic and
legislative bottlenecks & barriers
regarding
- water sources
- water use efficiency
- reducing environmental impact
Horizon 2020

7. Obj 1: mapping the current situation
Horizon 2020

8. Obj 1: mapping the current situation
Lined storage
Water silo
Pond

9. Issues on water source management
Quantity
Summer shortage
Lack of storage capacity
Water share
Quality
EC/ Na pH Fe
Sanitary
Algue/micro algae
fungi
agrobacterium
Strongly linked to water storage
Chemical : very rare

10. Issues on water source management
Sanitary : solutions applied against algae growth in water storage
But short-term view
A lot of techniques available but only few are efficient
Strong technical bottleneck

11. Socio-economic bottlenecks linked to a sustainable use of water
Are you considering using more sustainable water sources?
-No reason to change – No problem
- Already the most sustainable
- No financial capacity
-Technical limitations
% of growers
-Collect and use rainwater
-Implement drainage recycling
-Would use another source if available
-Increase storage capacity, improve storage conditions
If water problems occur
(poor water quality / water shortages)
What would be convincing ?
Economic reasons
(affordability, proven cost efficiency ,subsidies)
Nothing
+ Legal constraints or administrative incentives

12. … and many more Sustainable watersources
Increase nutrient use efficiency
New technologies (thinking out of the box)
Sustainable watersources
End of pipe solutions
DSS irrigation
Increase wateruse efficiency
Implementation water framework directive
Sodium removal
Filtration technologies
DSS fertigation
Algae
Water storage dimensions
Regulatory comparison
Irrigation communities
Salinity management
Nutrient recovery (N, P, …)
Limitations ground water
Water storage problems
Technological comparison
Economic comparison
… and many more

13. Obj 2: evaluating the current situation

14. Obj 2: evaluating the current situation

15. Obj 3: initiate further steps towards solutions
Identifying bottlenecks & searching for possible solutions:
Technological level:
Screening and business model for technologies coming from other sectors
Showcase of these new technologies
Technological level
Policy level:
Policy sessions
Focus on multi-actor approach: all groups involved
Socio-economic level
Trying to solve “myths” -> “covering your water storage is expensive”

16. Obj 3: initiate further steps towards solutions
You can follow status of the 23 exchanged technologies online

17. Obj 4: bring the essential information to the correct audience
Technology database
FERTINNOWA website
Practice abstracts
100
Factsheets 25
Technology review documents
Detailed evaluation
136
Growers & advisors
Fertigation bible
Growers & advisors
Growers & advisors
(growers), advisors, technology suppliers
Advisors, technology suppliers, authorities, research

18. Obj 4: bring the essential information to the correct audience

19. www.FERTINNOWA.com Find out more at the FERTINNOWA website
Technology database
Sign up for the
newsletter
Technology exchange

20. Save the date: Final FERTINNOWA conference
When? 3-5 October 2018
Venue: Almeria Spain
What?
Scientific sessions
Policy session
Technical workshops
Interactive tours
Field visits