CONSELLERIA DE AGRICULTURA GANADERIA Y PESCA

Their core work

The Conselleria de Agricultura is the regional government ministry for agriculture in Valencia, Spain — one of Europe's most important citrus-growing regions. They manage agricultural policy, plant health regulation, and rural development programs across the Valencian Community. In H2020, they contributed domain expertise on Mediterranean farming systems, citrus crop protection, and water management for irrigated agriculture. Their participation reflects a public authority bringing real-world regulatory and agricultural management experience into EU research consortia.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

With only three projects spanning 2016–2023, the evolution is modest but shows a clear pattern. The earliest involvement (FERTINNOWA, 2016) was as a third party in water-use efficiency for fertigated crops, suggesting an initial supporting role. By 2019–2020, the Conselleria stepped up to full participant status in two projects — one on citrus disease prevention (PRE-HLB) and one on solar irrigation (SolAqua) — signaling a shift toward more active engagement in climate-resilient Mediterranean agriculture.

Moving from passive third-party involvement toward active participation in climate adaptation for Mediterranean agriculture, especially citrus protection and renewable-energy-powered irrigation.

How they like to work

The Conselleria has never coordinated an H2020 project — they join consortia as a participant or third party, contributing regional agricultural expertise and access to real farming conditions in Valencia. With 58 unique partners across 17 countries from just 3 projects, they operate in large, diverse consortia (typical for CSA and RIA schemes). This means they are comfortable working in multi-partner European networks but rely on others for scientific or technical leadership.

Despite only 3 projects, they have connected with 58 partners across 17 countries — a wide network inherited from joining large consortia rather than built through repeated bilateral collaboration. Their geographic reach is pan-European with no visible concentration beyond the Mediterranean farming context.

What sets them apart

As the agricultural authority of Valencia — one of Europe's largest citrus-producing regions — they bring something most research partners cannot: direct policy influence, access to commercial farming operations, and regulatory context for field trials. For any consortium working on Mediterranean crop protection, irrigation innovation, or agricultural climate adaptation, having the regional government at the table adds credibility and a pathway to real-world implementation. They are not a research lab — they are the authority that implements agricultural policy on the ground.

Highlights from their portfolio

• PRE-HLB
  Addresses the existential threat of Huanglongbing (citrus greening disease) to European citrus production, directly relevant to Valencia's massive citrus industry.
• SolAqua
  Combines renewable energy with irrigation — a critical intersection for water-scarce Mediterranean regions facing both climate change and energy cost pressures.