The International Plant Fair (IPM) in Essen is one of the most important meeting points for the horticultural sector in Europe. Bringing together growers, researchers, advisors, technology providers and industry representatives, the event provides a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas, discuss current challenges and explore future developments in horticulture.
This year, Irristaud was represented at IPM Essen, where the project team engaged with a wide range of stakeholders from across the sector. Conversations included growers from different horticultural branches, representatives from advisory services, research organizations and industry partners.
A recurring topic throughout many discussions was the increasing importance of sustainable resource management. Growers are facing growing pressure to adapt to changing climatic conditions, increasing production costs and evolving sustainability requirements. Efficient irrigation management and improved monitoring of crop conditions are therefore becoming increasingly relevant across many production systems.
The fair also provided an excellent opportunity to present the objectives of the Irristaud project and gather feedback from practitioners. Discussions focused on how sensor technologies and data-driven decision support could help address some challenges currently faced by growers. Stakeholders showed particular interest in practical applications that can support irrigation decisions while remaining easy to integrate into existing workflows.
In addition to conversations with growers, exchanges with advisory organizations such as the Chambers of Agriculture in North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony provided valuable insights into current developments within the sector. Several familiar faces from the co-creation group were around, of course. These discussions highlighted the importance of developing solutions that are not only scientifically sound but also practical and accessible for end users.
Events such as IPM Essen play an important role in connecting research projects with the wider horticultural community. They offer opportunities to share ideas, identify emerging challenges and ensure that innovation remains aligned with the needs of practitioners.
The feedback and perspectives gathered during the fair will contribute to the ongoing development of Irristaud and help strengthen the project’s focus on practical, user-oriented solutions. We would like to thank everyone who took the time to discuss horticulture, digitalization and sustainable irrigation management with us during the event.
We look forward to continuing these conversations and collaborating with stakeholders as the project progresses.
