The ASTER Project successfully held its final meeting in Valencia, Spain, from 13 to 15 May 2026, bringing together project partners, researchers, technical experts, and stakeholders from across Europe to review the achievements and results developed throughout the project.
Hosted by the Valencian Institute for Agricultural Research (IVIA), the three-day meeting represented an important milestone for the consortium, providing an opportunity to evaluate the progress made in developing agroecological strategies and innovative tools for more sustainable tomato production systems in the Mediterranean area.
During the meeting, partners presented the main scientific and technical outcomes achieved within the project, including advances in:
- Sustainable pest management strategies
- Biological control solutions for tomato crops
- Enhancement of crop resilience through agroecological practices
- Ecosystem services in tomato production systems
- Innovative approaches for reducing the environmental impact of intensive cultivation
The event also strengthened collaboration among consortium members and facilitated discussions on future perspectives, exploitation of results, and the long-term impact of ASTER activities beyond the project duration.
A key highlight of the final meeting was the conference dedicated to farmers and end users, “Agroecology Applied to Tomato: Tools and Solutions for More Sustainable Production”, organized on 15 May 2026. The event promoted knowledge transfer from research to practice, engaging growers and agricultural professionals in discussions on practical and sustainable solutions for the tomato sector.
The ASTER consortium would like to thank all partners, speakers, researchers, and stakeholders who contributed to the success of the project and to the dissemination of innovative agroecological approaches for a more resilient and sustainable agriculture.
