The Andalusian Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development hosted the official presentation of the Interreg Spain-Portugal (POCTEP) cooperation project ‘HUB Iberia Agrotech Plus’ (HIBA+), an international initiative also coordinated by this Regional Ministry. The event brought together representatives of the 15 entities that formed the consortium in this three-year collaboration, which represents a public investment of almost three million euros.

Advancing digitalization and green growth

HIBA+ aims to consolidate the network developed through the HUB Iberia Agrotech project between 2018 and 2023, improving business competitiveness and promoting sustainability and digitalization in the Portuguese-Spanish cross-border agrifood sector. This initiative is in line with the European Union’s priorities on digital policy and green growth.

During the event, key achievements of HIBA+ were showcased, including ‘Canela’, a robotic dog developed by a team from the University of Córdoba’s School of Agricultural and Forestry Engineering (ETSIAM). This innovative technology complements the data collection capabilities of drones, allowing professionals in the agri-food sector to make more informed decisions. In particular, ‘Canela’ covers lower ground areas where aerial devices struggle to obtain accurate data, making it a valuable asset in precision agriculture.

Objectives of HIBA+

Building on the progress of the HUB Iberia Agrotech project, HIBA+ aims to improve its virtual platform and provide companies with easy access to customised solutions. In addition, the initiative aims to improve digital training for agri-food professionals through a comprehensive programme of educational activities.

Another key objective of the project is to promote the strategic use of data, which is seen as a vital asset for informed decision-making. By using data analytics, companies can optimise productivity and increase the sustainability of their operations. To support this goal, HIBA+ will expand on the previous project's 'living labs', incorporating new field data throughout the development of the initiative.

Collaboration between Spain and Portugal

HIBA+ brings together 15 Spanish and Portuguese entities, including public administration bodies, agri-food sector representatives, universities, and research centers. Most of them represent stakeholders and direct representatives of the Traceability & Big Data Partnership in their respective regions.

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Visit the HIBA+ website.

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