On 17 and 18 February 2026, the RAINS consortium came together in Valencia, Spain, for two days of collaboration and knowledge exchange.
The meeting kicked off with a technical visit to one of our Spanish demo sites in Guardamar. Researchers from Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche (UMH) presented the experimental design of this site, as well as their second demo site near Valencia, where trials officially began at the end of October 2025.
These demo sites will support the agronomic and environmental evaluation of organo-mineral fertilisers as nutrient sources, while assessing their impact on water retention under varying irrigation systems.
Partners were able to see how two plots – one for furrow irrigation and the other for drip irrigation – are being used to test how different irrigation systems and biofertiliser treatments affect broccoli cultivation and soil health. The visit was a great opportunity to exchange insights and gain a closer understanding of the solutions being tested on the ground.
We were additionally honoured to meet the Mayor of Guardamar, with Project Coordinator Belén Miranda Mir introducing the RAINS project and its objectives at the Guardamar City Council.
On day two, partners gathered for the General Assembly, hosted by AIMPLAS Technological Institute of Plastics, to review project progress and align on next steps. AIMPLAS also offered a tour of their facilities, showcasing their work on biodegradable polymers and biofertilisers.
A big thank you to all RAINS partners who made this week a success!










