The WaterMellon project and Cooperativas Agro-alimentarias de Andalucía organised a technical event in El Bosque, Cádiz, to explore the potential of carob and almond cultivation as alternatives for diversifying agricultural production and adapting to climate change.
On 1 October 2026, the European WATERMELLON project, together with Cooperativas Agro-alimentarias de Andalucía, held the event “Alternative Crops in the Sierra de Cádiz” at the Los Remedios-Picassat cooperative in El Bosque, Cádiz, Spain.
The event brought together farmers, cooperatives and agricultural professionals interested in exploring new production opportunities that could help diversify farms, improve their adaptation to changing climatic conditions and create new economic opportunities in rural areas.
Exploring the potential of carob cultivation
The event opened with an introduction to the WaterMellon project by Juan Sagarna, Director of Sustainability and European Projects at Cooperativas Agro-alimentarias de España.
Rafael M. Navarro, researcher at the University of Córdoba, presented innovative solutions that could help establish carob as a high-value crop in Andalusia.
The programme also featured Juan Manuel Micheo, technician at Cooperativas Agro-alimentarias de Andalucía, who introduced the CERATOPIA project. This initiative focuses on enhancing the value of products and services associated with carob to promote healthy diets and more resilient territories.
Almond cultivation as another alternative
The event also explored the opportunities offered by almond cultivation in the Sierra de Cádiz. Paco Macho, technician at Hefona Group S.L. and technical collaborator of SCA Los Remedios-Picassat, presented the characteristics and potential of almond production in the region.
These contributions highlighted the importance of identifying alternative crops that can help farmers diversify their production and respond to emerging environmental and market challenges.
Visiting the WaterMellon carob trial plot
The programme concluded with a visit to the WaterMellon carob trial plot, where participants could see first-hand the work being carried out within the project.
WaterMellon is testing drought-tolerant crops and different techniques for efficient water and soil management through trial fields established across participating countries. By combining traditional and modern water technologies with innovative agricultural practices, the project aims to strengthen Mediterranean agriculture’s resilience to climate change and water scarcity.
Launched in March 2025 and running for three years and three months, WaterMellon brings together 20 partners from 10 Mediterranean countries.
Through activities such as this event in Cádiz, the project promotes knowledge exchange and the exploration of sustainable crop alternatives that can contribute to more resilient and diversified agricultural systems across the Mediterranean.
