As 2025 comes to a close, it is an excellent opportunity to reflect on the progress achieved within the Irristaud project and to look ahead to the next phase of activities.

The past year has been marked by intensive collaboration between research institutions, technology providers and horticultural practitioners. Together, project partners have continued to explore how sensor technologies and data-driven approaches can contribute to more efficient irrigation management and sustainable crop production.

Field trials conducted throughout the growing season generated valuable datasets and practical experiences. These activities provided important insights into sensor performance, crop responses and the challenges associated with implementing digital technologies under real production conditions.

The project also made significant progress in integrating different data sources and developing decision-support concepts. One of the central achievements of 2025 was the continued development of the Irristaud dashboard, which aims to transform complex datasets into practical information for growers and advisors.

Stakeholder engagement remained a cornerstone of the project. Through co-creation activities, like a large field event in Aalten (NL), participants helped shape development priorities and provided valuable feedback on tools and concepts. These interactions ensure that project outcomes remain closely aligned with practical needs.

Looking ahead to 2026, the consortium will focus on further testing, validation and refinement of the developed technologies. Additional demonstrations and stakeholder activities will support the transition from research and development towards practical application.

The Irristaud consortium would like to thank all growers, advisors and partners who have contributed their expertise, enthusiasm and commitment throughout the year. Their collaboration continues to play a vital role in advancing innovation within horticulture.