NEIKER – Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development originated from an experimental farm established in the mid-19th century, but it was founded in its current form in 1998 as a public society of the Basque Government. It is dedicated to carrying out research and development projects in agriculture, livestock, forestry, environmental conservation, and natural resources. A member since December 2006 of the Technological Corporation TECNALIA, NEIKER is now a research center specialized in agricultural innovation, as well as environmental studies and natural resources.
NEIKER develops basic and applied research activities aimed at acquiring new knowledge, focusing on developing new technologies and practical methodologies that help improve the competitiveness and productivity of the agricultural, livestock, forestry, and natural resource sectors.
Between 130 and 140 researchers, technicians, as well as undergraduate and doctoral students work at NEIKER, and they carry out around 120 R&D projects in the main lines of research, which involves an annual budget of approximately 13 million euros. The projects are funded by local, national, European Union, and international organizations, in collaboration with partners from various countries.
R&D activities at NEIKER are structured into five scientific departments, with support for management and administration from a general services department: a) Plant Production and Protection, b) Forestry Sciences, c) Animal Production, d) Animal Health, e) Conservation of Natural Resources.
In Plant Production and Protection, we carry out traditional genetic improvement programs to develop varieties adapted to the agro-environmental conditions of the Basque Country, resistant to diseases and more market-oriented, especially in potato, corn, and Pinus radiata, improving yields and product quality. In plant protection, activities focus on the epidemiology, diagnosis, and control of pests and diseases in crops and forest species of interest in the Basque Country, developing pathogen detection methods and paying special attention to pest and disease control. Research projects focus on diseases and pests in outdoor crops, as well as in greenhouse crops and forest plantations.
In Forestry Sciences, we work in the areas of productivity, health, and sustainability of forest plantations and forests. A genetic improvement program for Pinus radiata is conducted based on marker-assisted selection, particularly considering those related to wood quality. Techniques for somatic embryogenesis are also fine-tuned for the clonal propagation of improved individuals. Site maps are developed to search for alternative species that best adapt to the current and future conditions of the Basque Country. Finally, advanced methodologies are designed, applied, and monitored to achieve more sustainable forest management in the realm of control and prevention of forest deterioration caused by invasive agents and pathogens.
In Animal Production, genetic improvement is carried out by performing systematic evaluations for production traits and milk composition, as well as udder morphology in the Latxa and Carranzana sheep breeds, and calving ease in Holstein cattle.
Research in Animal Health focuses on the monitoring, control, and prevention of livestock and wildlife diseases, including those that have a significant impact on animal health and zoonoses, all aimed at improving production and animal welfare, as well as Public Health. Main objectives: development of diagnostic tools and procedures to improve the health status of livestock and control zoonotic pathogens.
In Natural Resource Conservation, agricultural production systems are evaluated, both traditional and integrated and ecological production, studying their viability and sustainability, quantifying possible environmental impacts caused by agricultural practices (erosion, pollution, loss of biodiversity, etc.), and proposing new agricultural practices to address climate change.
• General Characteristics
- ACTIVITY: Scientific and technological research.
- LOCATION: NEIKER, Scientific and Technological Park of Bizkaia 812, E-48160 Derio-Bizkaia.
- DATE OF ESTABLISHMENT: 09/11/1984.
- CATEGORY: Research center.
- CONTACT: (+34) 944 034 300.
• R&D Activities/Interests
- NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 180.
- REVENUES: 13 €.
- GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Neiker is an agricultural research institute under the Vice Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Policy of the Basque Government. NEIKER is committed to the following R&D+i objectives:
- Improve the productivity and competitiveness of agricultural production systems.
- Develop and apply new management technologies in farms.
- Meet the quality and safety requirements of the agro-food processing industry, its products, and consumers.
- BUSINESS LINES: R&D+i activities at NEIKER are structured into five scientific departments:
- Plant Production and Protection.
- Forest Sciences.
- Animal Production.
- Animal Health.
- Conservation of Natural Resources.
- INFRASTRUCTURE:
- Scientific laboratories.
- Experimental farms.
- Research greenhouses (including a P2 greenhouse).
- High-security biological laboratory (P3).
- Experimental sheep flock.
TECHNOLOGICAL OFFER/DEMAND:
- Plant Production and Protection
- Production systems and good agricultural practices.
- Plant genetic improvement.
- Alternative crops and agri-food relevant biomolecules.
- Epidemiology and control of plant and forest infections.
- Diagnosis and detection of plant pests and diseases.
- Forestry Sciences
- Plant physiology and tissue culture.
- Genomics.
- Animal Production
- Animal genetic improvement.
- Animal feeding and nutrition.
- Animal production systems.
- Applied ethology and animal welfare.
- Animal Health
- Diagnosis, control, and epidemiological surveillance of animal diseases.
- Zoonoses and food safety.
- Environmental biosecurity, wildlife, and vectors as infection sources for production animals and humans.
- Conservation of Natural Resources
- Conservation and sustainable use of agricultural and natural resources.
- Recovery of degraded soils.
- Environmental monitoring.
- Impact, mitigation, and adaptation to climate change.
- Gas emissions in agro-livestock systems.