isUP-AgrO project promotes technical visit to Quinta das Vinhas to present sustainable agriculture solutions and smart water management

As part of Task 5.8 – Local Policy Support of the European isUP-AgrO project, a technical visit took place on 22 July 2026 at Quinta das Vinhas, in Estreito da Calheta, a project partner and one of the pilot vineyards where the Work Package 6 (WP6) field trials are being conducted.

The initiative brought together representatives from the Regional Directorate for Agriculture, the Municipality of Calheta, ACOESTE, the Madeira Wine, Embroidery and Handicraft Institute (IVBAM), the Madeira Wine Company (MWC), as well as farmers and project partners, with the aim of showcasing the research being carried out in the field and strengthening the dialogue between the scientific community, public authorities and the regional wine sector.

During the visit, the WP6 experimental trials were presented, highlighting the assessment of the effects of precision irrigation and the adoption of more sustainable agricultural practices on grape quality, vineyard productivity and resilience, and soil biodiversity. These activities contribute to more efficient water management and support the adaptation of viticulture to climate change.

Participants also had the opportunity to observe the agro-environmental monitoring system installed at the vineyard, including soil moisture, soil temperature and electrical conductivity sensors, sap flow sensors, dendrometers and the weather station. These instruments enable the continuous monitoring of soil and environmental conditions, as well as the physiological response of the vines, providing essential data for the development of smart irrigation management strategies and the optimisation of water use in regional viticulture.

This initiative forms part of Task 5.8 of the project, which focuses on supporting local policymaking by promoting the exchange of scientific knowledge with organisations involved in the development of agricultural and environmental policies. Its objective is to encourage measures that foster the sustainable use of natural resources, the valorisation of agricultural by-products, and the implementation of innovative solutions.

Through this initiative, the isUP-AgrO project reinforces its commitment to knowledge transfer, strengthening the connection between science and society and contributing to the development of innovative solutions for a more sustainable, efficient and resilient agricultural sector in the Autonomous Region of Madeira.