The Spanish project GOS ACCESO took center stage during the EU CAP Network’s workshop focused on “Optimising Water Use Practices in Annual and Perennial Crops,” held in Thessaloniki on May 7–8. Representing the project, Javier Arizmendi Ruiz, Technical Coordinator from ZERYA, presented its innovative approach to integrating agroecological practices within the framework of CAP eco-schemes.
GOS ACCESO is a supra-regional operational group that tests sustainable practices in four strategically selected crops — maize, processing tomato, persimmon, and pear — under different agronomic conditions. The project aims to demonstrate that adopting eco-schemes can lead to improvements in crop productivity, soil and plant health, and resilience to climate change, even for crops not currently required to implement such schemes under the CAP.
During his presentation, Arizmendi emphasized the project’s multifactorial assessment strategy, which combines agroecological techniques, precision agriculture, and digital tools. Practices include cover crops that support beneficial insects, direct sowing to enhance water retention in maize, and legume rotations to boost soil fertility. The impact of these interventions is evaluated using a set of agronomic, economic, and environmental indicators, supported by soil sensors, dendrometers, and microbiome analysis.
GOS ACCESO received one of the top five evaluation scores among over 150 proposals in 2024, underscoring its potential for transferability and scalability across the EU. “Our goal is to make eco-schemes more accessible through applied knowledge, smart farming tools, and tailored farmer training,” said Arizmendi. The project also promotes EU-wide collaboration, policy alignment with sustainability goals, and digital transformation in agriculture.
Participation in this cross-visit offered GOS ACCESO an opportunity to highlight how practical innovation and field-level testing can help transform eco-schemes from policy requirements into real opportunities for farmers.
