PILOT 3.2 Precision Farming for Mediterranean Woody Crops
CHALLENGE
Mediterranean Woody Crops have been severally affected by several challenges such as climate change (water scarcity), pests and diseases. Most of the farms specialising in these crops are small, low on profit and technology, and face high labour costs. Furthermore, Mediterranean Woody Crops owned by medium/small farmers have limited access to technology, due to the associated costs, and the low levels of systems interoperability. These farmers need simple, intuitive, and cost-effective technologies to help them overcome the challenges outlined and become more profitable by maximising the use of smart and precision agriculture.
AIM
This pilot aims at promoting technology, methods and IoT solutions to optimise precision farming practices of Mediterranean Woody Crops (Apple, Olive and Grape), considering the small farmers’ economic constraints. The proposed solutions (IoT and Ground Robots) will enable a more efficient usage of inputs such as water, energy, macro-nutrients, and pesticides, thus increasing the profits of small farmers and reducing their environmental impact.
HOW
This pilot will promote the use of open-source, plug-and-play, cost-effective and modular technology that can be considered by small holder farmers. The pilot will demonstrate real-time monitoring and control of plants, water supply and nutrients, using IoT sensors and Agricultural Robots on the field for phenotyping. This will also enable precision-spraying and use satellite/aerial imagery for yield potential estimation.
BENEFIT
The implementation of standards-based and interoperable elements will facilitate the exploitation and maintenance of irrigation systems achieving greater efficiencies in water, nutrients and energy savings, with cost effective solutions that can be acquired by small holder farmers.
FRUIT & VEGETABLE PRODUCTION
FOCUS: Health and high-quality crops.
LOCATION
Portugal
PARTNERS
Pilot projects run under pilot cluster three:
Pilot 3.1 - Decision Support System to Support Olive Growers
Decision Support System to Support Olive Growers
The efficient management of olive orchards requires complex decision-making processes. This is because of the increasing uncertainty and risk associated with olive fruit and olive oil production in a rapidly changing environment.
Pilot 3.2 - Precision Farming for Mediterranean Woody Crops
Precision Farming for Mediterranean Woody Crops
Mediterranean Woody Crops have been severally affected by several challenges such as climate change (water scarcity), pests and diseases. Most of the farms specialising in these crops are small, low on profit and technology, and face high labour costs.
Pilot 3.3 - Pest Management Control on Fruit Fly
Pest Management Control on Fruit Fly
The Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) is a dangerous pest for a wide range of distribution and host plants. A key challenge is how to deal with agricultural pests like fruit flies while reducing the use of chemical treatments.
Pilot 3.4 - Open Platform for Improved Crop Monitoring in Potato Farms
Open Platform for Improved Crop Monitoring in Potato Farms
Farmers with large areas of potato fields, spread out geographically over several communities, often suffer from lack of sufficient ground truth data (measured yields, crop variety, exact planting date).
