Application of precision farming in vineyards through training

An EU programme is using education and training in vineyard cultivation to promote precision farming technologies among farmers. This project will be developed by 2026, with the participation of Spain, Italy, Greece, France and Belgium, and will bolster training, innovation and new knowledge transfer techniques with the goal of creating an international viticulture study programme. To implement it, research will be conducted among the companies participating in the project to design a training programme that will provide the appropriate knowledge and skills to enable adoption of Precision Farming technologies. Drones, robots and sensors are just a few of these. More specifically, the project aims to go from Precision Farming to Sustainable Precision Farming, combining organic farming with smart technologies to improve sustainability and effectiveness in viticulture, based on innovation, digitisation, circular economy and innovative business models. While there are challenges to address, especially for smaller enterprises, the goal is to overcome all obstacles and promote the transition to more sustainable, resource-efficient agricultural practices both in the Mediterranean and throughout Europe.

Establishment of a study programme

The over-arching objective of the project is to establish a tailored viticulture training and knowledge transfer programme, to enable vintners to learn and apply the main Sustainable Precision Farming techniques and improve their production systems, adapting in both the present and the future. More specifically, a new international Sustainable Precision Viticulture study programme will be established within the framework of the project. This programme will transfer digital, ecological and resilience skills to students of HEIs (Higher Education Institutions) and PETs (Professional Education and Training centres), consultants, managers, technicians and farmers. The training programme will be integrated into already existing study programmes. This will enable the trainees to address the challenges of the EU framework introduced by the new Green Deal policies and the CAP, while also taking production profitability into account.

E-demo farm

In addition to the above, the project also envisions the creation of a platform that will incorporate educational and informational material, as well as examples for the promotion of good viticulture practices.