The Almería Agroecology Living Lab is located in southeast Spain, in the province of Almería, within the region of Andalusia. The province is internationally recognised for its intensive horticultural production under greenhouse systems, with more than 31,000 hectares devoted to this model, largely operated by small and medium-sized family farms. This area represents the largest concentration of greenhouses in Europe, providing over 3.7 million tons of fruits and vegetables annually. This highly productive agricultural landscape provides a representative and dynamic environment for innovation and experimentation.
The Almería Agroecology Living Lab is not a demonstration farm, but a multi-actor innovation ecosystem embedded in this real production context. It makes use of various demo farm sites, including commercial farms, cooperative testing farms, and university and regional authority experimental farms. It brings together farmers, technology providers, cooperatives, advisors, researchers and public stakeholders to collaboratively identify barriers, test solutions and validate approaches under real operating conditions. The productive sector includes more than 11.000 farmers, who are organised around 100 cooperatives and other forms of producer organisations.
The central challenge addressed by this Living Lab is the lack of interoperability among agricultural technologies and digital systems. In a context where farms increasingly rely on multiple tools for irrigation management, climate control, crop monitoring, resource optimisation and traceability, data and systems often remain fragmented and poorly connected. This fragmentation limits efficiency increases operational complexity and constrains data-driven decision-making.
Accordingly, the Almería Agroecology Living Lab focuses on facilitating integration, compatibility and seamless data exchange between existing and emerging solutions. Rather than promoting specific technologies, it works on defining common frameworks, aligning stakeholder needs, validating interoperable approaches, and fostering practical coordination across the value chain.
Through co-creation processes, pilot activities and stakeholder engagement, the Almería Agroecology Living Lab aims to strengthen collaboration, reduce technological silos and support a more connected and resilient greenhouse production system adapted to the realities of the region.
