As part of the EU CAP Network activities, the SISRICE Operational Group took part in the cross visit titled “Irrigation: Optimising water use practices in annual and perennial crops”, which took place on 7–8 May 2025 and aimed at sharing experiences and promoting innovative practices in the efficient use of irrigation water.
The visit was hosted at the Institute of Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources of ELGO DIMITRA, which served as the meeting point for Operational Group members and project partners from six different European countries. The program included both a theoretical presentation and a field demonstration of the irrigation system developed within the framework of the SISRICE project.
The event began with a presentation by Dr. Dimitrios Katsantonis, on behalf of the Institute (IPBGR/ELGO DIMITRA), who is also a research partner in the Operational Group. During the session, the evolution of the system was discussed, highlighting its development over the years through the SmartPaddy (2011) and DEMETER (H2020) projects. He then provided a detailed explanation of each component of the system and how it has been adapted to the specific conditions of rice cultivation in Greece.
The second part of the visit included a live demonstration of the SISRICE system by Dr. Marios Karayiovanidis, a researcher at the same Institute, at the installation site. During the demonstration, Mr. Panagiotis Gkoutas, a member of the Operational Group, responded to participants’ questions, discussing the challenges faced in irrigation management, the negative effects of improper practices, the mitigation efforts that are underway, and the tangible benefits he has experienced through his involvement in the Operational Group.
The visit concluded with a discussion on the strong collaboration among the group members and the concrete outcomes that have resulted so far. SISRICE’s participation in this cross visit highlighted the group’s technological and scientific capabilities and further strengthened its networking with related European initiatives.