Spanish citrus sector expands coordinated pest surveillance

Spanish lemon and grapefruit interprofessional AILIMPO has presented the AGEFIS pest-monitoring system to growers, outlining how coordinated field data could strengthen phytosanitary control across citrus production zones.

Held in Murcia earlier this year, the technical session introduced the sector-led initiative and its operational rollout. The project is now moving into its first implementation phase ahead of the 2026 campaign.

AGEFIS is designed to deliver weekly phytosanitary updates from monitored orchards, helping producers react faster to pest and disease pressure while optimising treatment timing and cost efficiency. The system ultimately aims to protect fruit quality while improving on-farm profitability.

The monitoring network already includes around 80 field stations installed in collaborating lemon and grapefruit farms, with plans to scale to 100 within the first year. Sites span Spain’s main citrus regions, including Murcia, Alicante, Málaga and Almería, enabling coordinated tracking of pest evolution and early detection of quarantine threats.

Beyond surveillance, the programme also provides technical guidance to growers, promoting more efficient phytosanitary management and encouraging biological and biotech control methods as part of integrated pest strategies. Funding comes primarily from the sector itself, supported by regional government collaboration in Murcia.

Session materials are available here.

source and photo: ailimpo.com