The design process of the HYDRO2 system started from the beginning of the project (September 2018), where technical tours were conducted by the experts of the HYDROUSA’s consortium as well as soil sampling campaigns in order to collect the necessary information for the design.

In addition, a detailed ethnobotanical study was conducted for Lesvos and supported the design of the system on well-adapted agricultural plants and irrigation methods, etc.

At the same time, the local community of Lesvos played a key role in the plant selection process and in the development of an extensive list of species through their active participation in co-creation activities and interviews organized by IHA in December 2018. Based on all the data collected and analysed, the appropriate drawings and irrigation plans were developed for HYDRO2.

The earthworks, soil preparation and clearing of the area and the installation of the irrigation system were completed in February 2021.

During the same period, the construction of the 65 m traditional stone channel and the secondary irrigation channels was completed, with the delicate knowledge of the old profession of stone masonry.

The process of planting about 65 different species has been completed by spring 2021 and the fertigation of the system started with the full operation of HYDRO1 in June 2021.

The HYDRO2 agroforestry demo site is daily monitored in order to maintain the optimal growth of the plants. The diversity of the plant species requires different management approaches, especially during this 1^st year of the plantation.

Since June 2021, traps have been set up in various parts of the field and a targeted soil sampling campaign has already begun in order to investigate the micro and macro-fauna of HYDRO2.

At the same time, plant samples are collected to investigate the potential accumulation of organic micropollutants such as pharmaceutical active compounds, endocrine disrupting compounds and pesticides.

By October 2021, the total production of the HYDRO2 was already higher than 4 tones and will increase during the next months.