Advanced course
Innovation and sustainability in nut production
- 21-26 September 2026
- Hybrid (Zaragoza, Spain)
- 976 716 000
- iamz@iamz.ciheam.org
INFORMATION ABOUT THE ADVANCED COURSE
Nut tree crops such as almond, pistachio, hazelnut, and walnut are key to Mediterranean agriculture, contributing to rural economies, landscapes, and diets. Yet producers face mounting pressures: climate variability, limited water resources, evolving pests and diseases, and the need for sustainable, high-quality production. Innovation now plays a central role in meeting these challenges. Advances in plant material, orchard design, mechanisation, irrigation, and digital technologies are transforming nut production systems. At the same time, maintaining soil health, biodiversity, and resource efficiency has become essential to ensure long-term sustainability.
The course is designed to provide agricultural professionals, researchers, advisors, and decision-makers with an advanced and integrated understanding of innovation, sustainability, and technical management strategies in modern nut tree production systems. In response to increasing pressures related to climate variability, resource use efficiency, market demands, and environmental sustainability, the programme addresses the biological, agronomic, technological, and economic dimensions shaping the future of Mediterranean nut orchards.
Through a structured progression from global context, plant material and ecophysiological needs to orchard design, species challenges, sustainable management, and post-harvest and quality product considerations, the course offers a comprehensive framework for analysing and improving nut production systems.
Course objectives
The course will enable participants to:
- Acquire an advanced understanding of the ecophysiological and edaphoclimatic requirements of major nut tree species (almond, pistachio, hazelnut and walnut).
- Evaluate orchard design strategies, planting systems, and mechanisation approaches under different production scenarios.
- Understand crop water requirements and apply efficient irrigation and deficit irrigation strategies.
- Analyse the role of plant material and genetic improvement in productivity, resilience, and sustainability.
- Identify key biotic and abiotic constraints affecting nut production systems.
- Apply principles of sustainable orchard management, including soil management, cover crops, precision nutrition, and integrated crop protection.
- Understand the interactions between production practices, quality attributes, and post-harvest performance.
- Assess the economic, technological, and environmental implications of innovation in nut production systems.
- Develop a holistic perspective on future challenges, sustainability transitions, and innovation opportunities in nut tree systems.
Course coordination
Registration
Applications must include a curriculum vitae and a copy of the supporting documents most related to the course subject.
The deadline for applications has been extended until 10 June 2026.
Applications from candidates requiring authorisation to attend the course may be accepted provisionally.
Registration fees for the course amount to 500 euro for face- to-face participation and 350 euro for online attendance.
FAQs
Who should attend
The programme targets researchers and academics, agricultural advisors and extension specialists, technical professionals from the agri-food sector, policymakers and institutional representatives, professionals from cooperatives, producer organisations, and NGOs and practitioners involved in nut tree production and orchard management. 20 places will be available for face-to-face participation with access to lectures, round table discussion all practical work and a technical visit (36 hours). 30 places will be available for online participation with access to lectures via live streaming, round table discussion and case studies (30 hours).
Guest lecturers
- María José Rubio – Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria de Aragón (CITA), SPAIN
- Antonio Pont – International Nut Council (INC), SPAIN
- Mehdi Ben Mimoun – National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia (INAT), TUNISIA
- Daniela Farinelli – Università degli Studi di Perugia (UNIPG), ITALY
- Neus Aletà – Instituto de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentarias – Centro Torre Marimon (IRTA), SPAIN
- Ignasi Iglesias – Grupo AGROMILLORA, SPAIN
- Joan Girona – Instituto de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentarias (IRTA Lleida), SPAIN
- Jerome Grimplet – Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria de Aragón (CITA), SPAIN
- Francisco J. Lacueva – Instituto Tecnológico de Aragón (ITA), SPAIN
- Jean Paul Joublan – Comité Noix du Périgord-Francia/Premium Fruit- España/Cordoniu-España/NOUCA-España/La Nocciola- Facma Italia/ Finca TOULA-Portugal/Mallinko SA – Chile/GTT Bio Bio – Chile/SAFFCO, CHILE
- Fabrice l’Heureux – CTIFL – Centre Technique Interprofessionnel des Fruits et Légumes, FRANCE
- Esaú Martínez – Centro de Investigación Agroambiental. CIAG IRIAF, SPAIN
- Carlos Agustí – Universidad de Córdoba, SPAIN
- Xavi Miarnau – IRTA Fruitcentre, SPAIN
- Agustí Romero – IRTA Mas Bové, SPAIN
Course Format and Approach
The course will be held for one week, in morning and afternoon sessions at CIHEAM Zaragoza, from 21 to 26 September 2026 in face-to-face format and online. Given the international composition of the teaching staff, simultaneous interpretation will be provided, however knowledge of English and Spanish will be positively considered during the selection process.
The course is designed to provide agricultural professionals, researchers, advisors, and decision-makers with an advanced and integrated understanding of innovation, sustainability, and technical management strategies in modern nut tree production systems. In response to increasing pressures related to climate variability, resource use efficiency, market demands, and environmental sustainability, the programme addresses the biological, agronomic, technological, and economic dimensions shaping the future of Mediterranean nut orchards.
Through a structured progression from global context, plant material and ecophysiological needs to orchard design, species challenges, sustainable management, and post-harvest and quality product considerations, the course offers a comprehensive framework for analysing and improving nut production systems.
Scholarships
Candidates from CIHEAM member countries (Albania, Algeria, Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Malta, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Tunisia and Türkiye) may apply for scholarships covering registration fees, and for scholarships covering the cost of travel and full board accommodation.
Candidates from other countries who require financial support should apply directly to national or international institutions.
All applications are subject to a selection process based on the profiles submitted.
Insurance
It is compulsory for participants to provide proof of insurance cover valid for Spain at the beginning of the course. The Organisation offers the possibility of subscribing to a group policy, upon payment of the stipulated amount.
