Operational Group GOS ACCESO: Optimizing Water Use in Crops

GOS ACCESO is an EU-funded operational group (May 2024–May 2027, €599,799.31) testing sustainable irrigation and eco-schemes on tomato, pear, persimmon, and maize across four Spanish regions. It focuses on drought resilience, reduced chemical inputs, improved soil health, and pest control through field trials, soil sensors, biodiversity monitoring, and microbiome analysis. Innovations include flower strips, cover crops, and legume intercropping. Outcomes include lower disease incidence (e.g. *Cacopsylla pyri*, leaf spot), higher yields, and enhanced climate adaptation. The group supports digital tools, AI-driven data platforms, farmer training, policy advocacy, and cross-border research. Comprising seven partners from Valencia, Extremadura, Navarra, and Castilla-León, it achieved the 5th highest score in 2024 among 150+ applications. Updates available at www.gosacceso.eu.