On May 28th, 2025, CONSULAI, in partnership with AGROMAIS, hosted a demonstration event focused on precision agriculture for maize cultivation at Quinta da Cholda, a leading farm in Portugal known for its ecological and regenerative farming practices. The venue provided an ideal setting to showcase the potential of technology in promoting more efficient and sustainable water and nutrient management.
The session began with a presentation by AGROMAIS, emphasising the importance of close collaboration with farmers, the sharing of technical knowledge, and the crucial role of producer organisations in driving innovation within the agricultural sector. Following this, CONSULAI introduced two ongoing European projects: NUTRI-CHECK NETWORK and QUANTIFARM. NUTRI-CHECK NETWORK, comprising 10 European partners, aims to promote more efficient and sustainable fertiliser management by facilitating the exchange of best practices and tools among farmers, advisors, and experts. Meanwhile, QUANTIFARM, with 32 partners and 30 case studies across Europe, evaluates the impact of precision agriculture technologies, ranging from decision support software to robotic milking systems, by comparing plots where these tools are applied to those following conventional practices. In most cases, the findings confirm the positive impact of these solutions on productivity, profitability, and environmental sustainability.
Quinta da Cholda, located in the Golegã region, actively participates in both projects. The farm owner, João Coimbra, presented the current realities of maize cultivation in Portugal, highlighting the significance of precision agriculture for improving both water management and fertiliser management on his farm. As a member of the National Expert Group (NEG) and the Crop Nutrition Club (CNC), two groups within the NUTRI-CHECK NETWORK responsible for identifying and testing effective fertilisation practices nationally, João Coimbra plays a key role in promoting successful solutions.
The event featured the Irristrat tool, developed by Hidrosoph, which enables more precise water management through data-driven forecasts and advanced algorithms. A live comparison was presented between two maize plots, one managed using Irristrat and the other without the tool, allowing participants to observe the tangible benefits of the technology in the field. Hidrosoph concluded the session with an in-depth explanation of how Irristrat functions and its practical advantages.
This event demonstrated the value of collaboration among producers, technology companies, agricultural support organisations, and research institutions. The partnership between NUTRI-CHECK NETWORK and QUANTIFARM, the active involvement of Quinta da Cholda and its partners AGROMAIS and Hidrosoph, underscores the importance of testing and validating innovative solutions in real-world settings to advance sustainable, efficient, and future-oriented agriculture.
