IMIDRA

About IMIDRA

IMIDRA, the Madrid Institute for Rural, Agricultural and Food Research and Development, is a public research body of the Community of Madrid. It focuses on applied research and scientific-technical activities that support the region’s agrarian, food, forestry, and rural sectors.

Its work combines research, technology transfer, training, and public technical services. IMIDRA positions itself as a practical innovation partner for farmers, livestock producers, food businesses, cooperatives, public bodies, and other actors in the rural economy, with an emphasis on quality, safety, environmental adaptation, and competitiveness.

Core Values

• Innovation: IMIDRA emphasizes prospecting, technological surveillance, and the development of better production, processing, preservation, information, and communication technologies for the sector.
• Quality and reliability: The institute highlights accredited laboratories, standardized methods, and technical validation to ensure trustworthy results and transparent services.
• Sustainability: Its research and services are oriented toward environmental respect, biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation, and more efficient use of resources.
• Public service: IMIDRA is structured to support the regional sector and public administration through analysis, advice, training, and practical solutions that improve competitiveness and resilience.

Unique Aspects

• Broad public research mandate: IMIDRA is one of the few regional bodies in Spain combining agrarian, agro-food, forestry, and rural research with direct technical services and training.
• Strong laboratory accreditation base: The institute has six ENAC-recognized laboratories, including genetic, dairy, reproductive, food, and plant-health units, which strengthens the credibility of its scientific services.
• Notable grapevine collection: At El Encín, IMIDRA maintains the second most important grapevine variety collection in Europe and the third largest in the world by number of accessions.
• Forest germplasm and restoration capacity: Its forest work includes BIFORMAD, the Forest Wild Flora Germplasm Bank, and production of native forest plants for restoration and adaptation projects.
• Regional policy role: IMIDRA also supports implementation of the Community of Madrid’s PEPAC-related rural development and training actions, linking research directly to public agricultural policy.