Erasmus+ Project: Development of a training program to improve the use of ICT tools in the implementation of precision agriculture
- Type Project
- Status Filled
- Execution 2018 -2021
- Assigned Budget 144.750,00 €
- Scope Europeo
- Autonomous community Cataluña
- Main source of financing Erasmus +
Precision Agriculture (PA), or site-specific crop management, is defined as the management of spatial and temporal variability at the subfield level to improve economic profitability and reduce environmental impact. It incorporates various management tools, as well as ICT. The concept has been made possible by the rapid development of ICT-based sensor technologies and procedures, along with dedicated software (Blackmore et al., 2003).
Despite existing knowledge at the research level and the availability on the market of efficient and affordable tools that implement PA in SMF, their implementation is insufficient, mainly for the following reasons, according to EIP-AGRI Focus Group Precision Farming (2015); Perceived complexity and insufficient knowledge of farmers and farm advisors, lack of a clear determination of the specific cost/benefit for the individual farm based on the assessment of the application of tools appropriate to the specific farm situation and overestimation of the investment risk because of this. Absence of realistic information on costs, benefits and technical challenges in real farming situations. No appropriate training for farm advisors. Disconnect between knowledge at the research level and applicability to SMF In conclusion, according to EIP-AGRI Focus Group Precision Farming (2015), training and awareness are needed for farm advisors working in small and medium-sized farms.
AGRICT is launched with the primary objective of increasing the competencies (attitudes, skills, knowledge) of agricultural advisors working on small and medium-sized farms in how to use ICT tools for the successful implementation of precision agriculture (PA), through an innovative training program.
The project has the following specific objectives:
- To learn and transfer knowledge related to precision agriculture.
- To showcase specific and affordable ICT solutions for applying precision agriculture to real-life agricultural situations.
- Promote personalized diagnosis of needs in terms of ICT solutions and evaluation of requirements and cost/benefit ratio
- A co-created methodological guide will be developed, with the direct participation of end users, with the main objective of determining the key contents, methodologies, and tools necessary to create and improve the critical competencies of agricultural advisors working in small and medium-sized farms (SMF) regarding the use of ICT tools for the correct implementation of precision agriculture (PA).
- Five sets of training packages, including training materials and experiential training activities, are aimed at agricultural advisors working at SMF in the following areas: 1. Introduction to Precision Agriculture; 2. Sensors and Electronic Systems; 3. GNSS and Georeferencing; 4. ICT Devices; 5. Agricultural Machinery Automation.
- Development of an e-learning platform to support the implementation of the training methodology, including training packages, workspace, and links to applicable ICT tools.
- Creation of 5 agricultural units within the structure of each partner to ensure the sustainable exploitation of the project once completed.
- Development of outreach activities aimed at the European agricultural sector, involving professionals, students, suppliers, universities, public bodies, etc.
- AgrICT will benefit several people over the life of the project: 80 agricultural advisors working on small and medium-sized farms (20 in each participating country) will be trained through their participation in the validation actions of the training packages and the e-learning platform. 2,000 people (500 in each country), including Agricultural Advisors working on small and medium-sized farms, but also other actors involved in the field of Precision Agriculture, such as Advisors, Researchers, Suppliers, etc., will be made aware of the project through multiplier events and dissemination actions carried out through the project website, newsletters, brochures, etc.
- Coordinator/entity name: POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF CATALONIA
- Postal address: Calle Jordi Girona 31, 08034 Barcelona
- Telephone: 934017126
- Universitat Politecnica De Catalunya
- UNIVERSIDAD AARHUS ???? DinamarcaUNIVERSIDAD AGRÍCOLA DE ATENAS
- Fundación para la Promoción de la Agricultura Agronómica
- INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE INVESTIGACIÓN EN CIENCIA Y TECNOLOGÍA PARA EL MEDIO AMBIENTE Y LA AGRICULTURA
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