Welcome to our second newsletter! Drop by Drop is the biannual newsletter from the RAINS project, featuring news and updates from the project and its partners.
Each issue will provide insights into what RAINS has been up to, and share information and resources as part of our work to improve water and nutrient resource management in agriculture by demonstrating sustainable and efficient irrigation and fertigation solutions in the Mediterranean.
What is the RAINS project?
Droughts, floods and unpredictable rainfall are putting increasing pressure on farmers across Europe.
The RAINS project is testing 10 smart solutions to improve water and fertiliser efficiency, including innovative irrigation, soil moisture management and water storage. The solutions will be demonstrated on 10 farms across Greece and Spain.
By combining data-driven tools with practical solutions, RAINS is helping build agricultural systems that are more efficient and resilient to a changing climate.
In February 2026, the RAINS consortium met in Valencia, Spain, for two days of collaboration and knowledge exchange. Partners visited the Guardamar demo site, where trials are exploring how different irrigation systems and organo-mineral fertilisers can improve water retention, soil health and broccoli cultivation.
The meeting also included a General Assembly hosted by AIMPLAS, providing an opportunity to review project progress, discuss next steps and explore AIMPLAS’ work on biodegradable polymers and biofertilisers.
In July 2026, the Greek RAINS team visited the project’s Spanish demonstration sites in Valencia, Orihuela and Almería. The visit provided an opportunity to explore the solutions being tested, exchange knowledge with Spanish partners and compare approaches to water and nutrient management.
The exchange strengthened collaboration between the two Mediterranean regions and supported a shared approach to developing more sustainable and climate-resilient farming systems.
Over the past months, we have shared our project’s advances across several events – from regional workshops to EU-wide conferences. Through these exchanges, our partners have presented RAINS’s research, debated ideas with peers, and strengthened connections within the European innovation community.
RAINS at Agrotica 2026
In March 2026, the RAINS project was presented at AGROTICA 2026, the leading agricultural exhibition in Thessaloniki, Greece.
Partners AgroApps PC and the Hellenic Agricultural Organisation (ELGO–DIMITRA), represented RAINS at the Ministry of Rural Development and Food of Greece pavilion. The team presented the project’s objectives and ongoing work, highlighting solutions for more efficient water and fertiliser use, improved irrigation and greater agricultural resilience.
AGROTICA provided an important platform for connecting RAINS with farmers, researchers and agricultural stakeholders and discussing practical approaches to water-efficient and climate-resilient farming.
EU Stakeholder Co-Creation Online Workshop
On 31 March 2026, RAINS held an online European-level co-creation workshop, bringing together 43 stakeholders from 15 European countries.
Coordinated by ELGO, with support from SAV, AIMPLAS, UMH, UPM and AgroApps, the workshop expanded RAINS’ regional engagement in Greece and Spain to a wider European context. Participants explored the 10 RAINS solutions and discussed their relevance across different agricultural systems, institutional settings and policy environments.
The interactive session combined presentations with Mentimeter-based activities, encouraging knowledge exchange and gathering stakeholder perspectives on how the solutions could be applied across Europe.
RAINS explores water resilience and sustainable agriculture with UPM students
In April 2026, Vasiliki Barou (CEIGRAM-UPM) presented the RAINS project to students of the Global Change and Agriculture course at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid.
The session explored the growing challenges of water resilience and climate adaptation in agriculture, highlighting how RAINS is testing innovative approaches to irrigation and nutrient management to support more sustainable and resilient farming.
The discussion provided an opportunity to connect research and education with the real-world challenges facing agriculture.
EU CAP Network conference in Hamburg
From 19–21 May 2026, the RAINS project was presented at the EU CAP Network conference “Water Resilience in Agriculture: Innovation in Practice” in Hamburg, Germany.
At the Innovation Market, project coordinator SAV showcased RAINS and its work on sustainable water and nutrient management in agriculture. The event brought together more than 50 European projects and initiatives, creating opportunities to exchange knowledge and explore innovative approaches to strengthening water resilience and addressing climate challenges in agriculture.
Webinar on “Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Nitrogen Management in Europe”
How can Europe improve nitrogen management while building more resilient agricultural systems?
On 22 May 2026, the RAINS project contributed to the webinar “Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Nitrogen Management in Europe”, bringing together experts from European institutions, research projects and international initiatives.
RAINS partner CEIGRAM-UPM shared project results and insights into how RAINS is supporting more efficient nutrient and water management in Mediterranean farming systems, with a focus on climate resilience and sustainable agriculture.
Can we grow more food with less water? | Press Release
New demonstrations from our Spanish pilot site in Guardamar del Segura reveal how combining precision irrigation, smart digital monitoring, and next-generation organo-mineral biofertilisers can significantly reduce water use and nutrient losses - while maintaining high crop yields.
During the 2025–2026 broccoli season, RAINS tested innovative biofertiliser pellets made from compost, minerals, biochar, and insect frass, alongside advanced irrigation systems and real-time field monitoring tools. The results point to a practical, scalable model for more climate-resilient farming across water-stressed Mediterranean regions.
The findings also show how smarter fertilisation can reduce greenhoues gas emissions, improve soil health, and help farmers make better decisions using data from both soil sensors and satellite imagery.
These are important steps toward building agricultural systems that can thrive under increasing climate pressure. Read the full press release below.
RAINS brings together a strong and complementary consortium of 17 partners from 6 countries.
Based in Spain, CIAGRO-UMH is a research center specialising in agri-food and environmental innovation, advancing sustainable agriculture and the circular economy. Their work focuses on water management, soil quality, and fertilisation optimisation.
Within RAINS, CIAGRO-UMH is developing and validating biobased fertilisers and biodegradable soil amendments to reduce erosion, improve nutrient balance, and strengthen farming resilience in the Mediterranean.
Glossary
Learn more about the key concepts and terms that define the RAINS project!
Biobased Nets Optifangs-IA v1.0
Optifangs-IA v1.0 is a smart, automated system that uses near-infrared (NIR) technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse sewage sludge without needing to take physical samples. It combines hardware and software to help manage and automate the process, using remote control and integrating all data into one easy-to-use device. The system provides detailed information about the nutrients in the sludge before it’s applied to soil. This helps farmers adjust fertilisation to the actual needs of the land, reducing nutrient waste and staying in line with EU environmental regulations.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EREA. Neither the European Union nor EREA can be held responsible for them.
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