Implementation of sustainable irrigation strategies for almond orchards through a participatory approach

Abstract

Traditionally, almond production in Spain has taken place under rain-fed conditions in marginal soils. The recent surge in almond demand worldwide has led to the intensification of almond production with new plantations under irrigation, increasing the irrigated area by 23% between 2014 and 2015.Nevertheless, although there has been progress in irrigation management research in almond, adoption of modern irrigation techniques by farmers has been slow. Farmers are still far from implementing a sustainable irrigation management due to a reliance on previous rain-fed crop-management know-how. Under the framework of the LIFE+ IRRIMAN project, through a participatory approach, sustainable irrigation strategies for almond orchards are being designed, implemented, validated and disseminated.