Timeline & News

Project Visit and Progress Assessment at the University of Salerno – March 2026

In June 2025, Dr. Jorn Germer (University of Hohenheim, Germany) visited the University of Salerno (Italy) to meet with Prof. Stefano Castiglione and his team. The visit included research presentations and a tour of laboratories and greenhouse facilities.

Early-stage researchers Dr. Giovanna Petta and Dr. Costantino Piazza presented their work on plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPMs) and nature-based approaches to enhance plant resilience.

The visit highlighted project progress and strengthened collaboration within PureCircles.

Berkane season 2

After a successful first season (2024/2025) in the Living Lab in Berkane, Morocco, the second experimental campaign started on March 2, 2026. The initial season evaluated three irrigation strategies based on soil moisture sensors, farmer practices, and evapotranspiration models, generating valuable data for AI-based irrigation.

In the current season, these treatments are being repeated while integrating a newly developed AI-supported irrigation strategy. Developed in collaboration with CNR, the system uses real-time soil moisture data, leaf area development, and rainfall forecasts to optimize irrigation. It can predict soil moisture up to 48 hours in advance, allowing irrigation to be reduced ahead of rainfall events.

Additionally, two deficit irrigation strategies and new quinoa varieties are being tested to further improve water-use efficiency in semi-arid regions. The trials are also part of Master’s theses conducted by students from the University of Hohenheim.

Master Thesis Defense at FEUP – September 2025

The student Eduardo Almeida Gomes successfully defended his master thesis at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto (FEUP), supervised by researcher Ana Pamero (INEGI) and with J. Germer serving as a member of the examination jury.

The thesis investigates agrivoltaic (Agri-PV) systems as an integrated approach to addressing global challenges in energy transition and food security. Three demonstration sites in the Mediterranean were analyzed, with simulations assessing energy yield, shading effects on crops, as well as economic and environmental impacts.

The results highlight the potential of Agri-PV to deliver both renewable energy and sustainable agricultural benefits. The case study in Egypt, for example, demonstrates a CO₂ emissions reduction of approximately 47 tons over 25 years.

This work provides valuable insights for planners, developers, and farmers aiming to implement sustainable dual-use land solutions.

Successful Midterm Meeting and Hackathon in Cairo – May 2025

In May 2025, our midterm meeting took place in Cairo, combined with an exciting hackathon, at the British University in Egypt (BUE) with our Egyptian partners.

During the meeting, the project’s achievements to date were presented, and future goals for all participating countries were discussed. The event provided an excellent opportunity for knowledge exchange, strengthening collaboration among partners, and developing innovative approaches for the next project phases.

The hackathon, in particular, focused on practical solutions and fostered creative ideas that will directly feed into the project’s work packages. Thanks to the active participation of all partners, the meeting was a great success and laid a solid foundation for the coming months of the project.

Pilot Implementation of the Living Lab in Portugal

Our Project partner INEGI, has successfully implemented a pilot Living Lab in Tarouquela (Cinfães), Portugal. This demo site showcases the integration of photovoltaic (PV) systems within agricultural land, combining renewable energy production with sustainable farming practices. 

Implementation

• The PV structure was anchored securely using six deep holds to withstand external conditions like strong winds.

• The system includes an inverter and a bidirectional meter for grid connection and real-time monitoring of voltage and current.

Raising Awareness Among Young Farmers in the Tafoughalt Commune, Berkane Province, on Optimizing Water Irrigation Through Quinoa Cultivation

Quinoa, a pseudo-cereal with low water requirements compared to traditional cereals, offers a promising solution for efficient water use in agriculture. When properly managed, quinoa requires only 200 to 300 mm of water, distributed strategically across its growth cycle. This makes it an ideal crop for regions facing water scarcity, such as the Tafoughalt commune in Berkane Province.

By adopting quinoa cultivation, young rural farmers in the area can optimize water irrigation practices, reduce water consumption, and enhance agricultural sustainability. Raising awareness about quinoa's benefits and its water-efficient cultivation techniques is essential to empower farmers and promote resilient farming practices in the region.

Optimizing Water Use for Quinoa Farming in Northeast Morocco