AFEPASA drives vineyard innovation through the BIGPREDIDATA project

AFEPASA is taking part in BIGPREDIDATA, a public–private R&D collaboration that aims to develop 4.0 technological solutions for the long-term prediction of vineyard performance and the prevention of damage caused by disease, drought, and frost linked to climate change.

With a total budget of €4.95 million, the project is co-financed by the European Union and CDTI Innovación with ERDF funds under Spain’s CIEN Strategic Programme. Its goal is to generate practical knowledge and digital tools that allow winegrowers to anticipate climatic effects and manage their vineyards more efficiently and sustainably.

A collaborative approach for smarter viticulture

BIGPREDIDATA brings together six companies —Viñedos del Río Tajo, Bodega Matarromera, Bodegas Martín Códax, Dcoop, RawData, and AFEPASA— and six research centres, including CEIGRAM (UPM), the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC), AINIA, the IQS of Ramon Llull University, the Rovira i Virgili University, and the Polytechnic University of Valencia. The project also enjoys support from key Spanish wine-sector institutions such as the Spanish Wine Technology Platform (PTV), the Spanish Wine Federation (FEV), and the Interprofessional Wine Organization of Spain (OIVE).

This multidisciplinary consortium seeks to integrate agronomic, meteorological, and climate models to build a predictive platform capable of anticipating vineyard behaviour under stress scenarios such as drought, frost, or pest outbreaks.

Digitalization and sustainability: key challenges for Spanish viticulture

The Spanish wine sector faces increasing challenges: drought, high temperatures, unexpected frosts, and a rise in production costs that reduce producers’ margins. In this context, technological innovation becomes essential to strengthen competitiveness and ensure sustainability.

BIGPREDIDATA offers concrete answers:

• Predicting vineyard yield through data integration and artificial intelligence.
• Optimizing water management for more resilient viticulture.
• Anticipating frost and pest damage using intelligent, sustainable methodologies.

AFEPASA’s role

With a long-standing commitment to sustainable crop nutrition and plant protection, AFEPASA contributes its expertise in plant physiology, bio-stimulants, and next-generation fertilizers. Its participation reinforces the company’s commitment to intelligent, efficient, and environmentally responsible viticulture.

Through BIGPREDIDATA, AFEPASA takes another step forward in innovation, helping to shape a digital, predictive, and sustainable vineyard model ready to face the challenges of climate change.