Arko

Arko responds to the need to manage woody crops in the Spanish agricultural sector efficiently and sustainably, facing challenges such as pressure on water resources. The expansion of olive groves, almond trees, and pistachio plantations requires a technological solution that optimises irrigation and reduces environmental impact. However, farmers face significant barriers: technological fragmentation, lack of interoperability between platforms, and a skills gap that limits digital adoption.

Arko will create an open and interoperable digital platform that integrates real-time data from sensors, satellites, weather stations, and agronomic records. Through advanced AI and personalised conversational assistants, it will transform this information into clear recommendations to facilitate decision-making in irrigation. Additionally, it will incorporate water footprint tracking and generation of Positive Water Credits (PWCs), responding to market sustainability demands.

The solution will be validated in pilot plots in Murcia and Castilla-La Mancha, regions of reference in irrigated woody crop cultivation. The results will make it possible to demonstrate its economic, environmental, and social impact, as well as its scalability and replication capacity in other agricultural areas, contributing to more digitalised and sustainable agriculture.

Co-financed by the European Union at 80% with EAFRD funds and by the MAPA at 20% with AGE funds, with a total aid amount of €452,111.89. Arko Operational Group as the Body Responsible for the content and the General Directorate for Rural Development, Innovation and Agri-food Training (DGDRIFA) as the managing authority responsible for the implementation of EAFRD aid.