On Monday 16th, the USC organised an awareness day and open house at the Galicia hop pilot project. Students from the gardening course of the Obradoiro Dual de Emprego programme ‘Biosphere Reserve: Green Employment IV’ had the opportunity to see first-hand the trial being carried out with reclaimed water to study its impact on crops.
During the visit, Javier J. Cancela, coordinator of the I-ReWater project and professor at the Higher Polytechnic School of Engineering (Campus Terra, USC), explained to the group the protocol for irrigation with reclaimed water and its possible uses and alternatives in agriculture. They also visited the soil and climate parameter control nodes, analysing the pros and cons of using sensors.
Participants also enjoyed a tasting of experimental beers made with hops harvested in 2024 in the pilot projects in Cubillos del Sil (Castilla y León) and Abegondo (A Coruña, Galicia), managed by partners SAT Lúpulos de León and Lutega, respectively.