This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 642224
The 22th edition of the International Water and Irrigation Exhibition (SMAGUA) was held in Zaragoza from 8 to 10 March 2016. SMAGUA gathered 780 exhibitors and 32800 visitors, all of them related to water issues. SMAGUA is not only the most important fair and exhibition regarding water in Spain, with over 40 years of experience, but it is also an important reference in Latin America.
This year SMAGUA focused on innovation and the efficient use of water and energy. The exhibition involved 130 delegations from eleven different countries, strengthening commercial and technical collaboration between them.
A SMAGUA special meeting was dedicated to Peru and the challenges this country is facing regarding water availability and irrigation management. Peruvian stakeholders from the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, National Water Authority, SEDAPAL and University of Ayacucho attended the meeting. The Minister of Rural Development and Sustainability of the Government of Aragon and the General Director of the Aragon Water Institute attended the meeting as well. Miguel Garcia Lapresta, the Amaltea’s CEO, introduced FREEWAT to the audience, pointing out especially the possibilities that the modelling platform opens to improve the efficient use of water in agriculture. Further contacts to be held in Lima late 2016 will seek for future collaborations between Aragon and Peru, where FREEWAT might play an important role.