The iHub La Vega Innova, which uses FIWARE technology, will have its physical headquarters at the CENCA and CENTER facilities in San Fernando de Henares (Madrid). A unique enclave where AgriFoodTech innovation will have workspaces and showrooms, with more than 500 m2 of facilities and more than 70 ha of experimental land where technological solutions can be tested and knowledge transfer can be promoted. To this end, there will be mentoring programmes with experts in agronomy and FIWARE, as well as a series of pilot projects, Agrolabs and Innovation Challenges financed by the MAPA.
Daniel Marfil, Director of Marketing and Communication, is responsible for the coordination of this project on behalf of BALAM Agriculture, which has the experience of its Rural Innovation Hub ecosystem spread throughout Spain. Francisco Romero, agricultural engineer at BALAM Agriculture, has been the person designated to cover all the agronomic needs that the iHub requires and to give shape to the numerous projects that are going to be developed in its facilities. In addition, the other strategic departments of BALAM Agriculture are also part of this new project, giving advice and providing knowledge on all the challenges that arise.
At the last edition of Datagri 2023, held in Logroño, the iHub made its first appearance. In a joint presentation between Inés Moreno representing the Ministry and Juan Marcelo Gaitán on behalf of Telefónica, they showed the public the capabilities of this new project and the services that are already being offered to all agents in the sector.
Teresa Carrillo, Doctor of Agricultural Engineering and Director of the R&D&I department of BALAM Agriculture, also travelled to Logroño. Together with Francisco Romero, they were the representatives of BALAM Agriculture at the presentation of the new iHub La Vega Innova.