reSilienT fARminG by Adaptive microclimaTe managEment

Project Information

STARGATE

Grant agreement ID: 818187

DOI

10.3030/818187

Project closed

EC signature date 23 April 2019

Start date 1 October 2019

End date 30 November 2024

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine, maritime and inland water research, and the bioeconomy

Total cost

€ 6 994 405,00

EU contribution

€ 6 994 405,00

Coordinated by

ETHNIKO KENTRO EREVNAS KAI TECHNOLOGIKIS ANAPTYXIS
Greece

Periodic Reporting for period 3 - STARGATE (reSilienT fARminG by Adaptive microclimaTe managEment)

Reporting period: 2022-10-01 to 2024-11-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

STARGATE develops a holistic climate-smart agriculture methodology, leveraging innovations in microclimate management, weather risk mitigation, and landscape design. Using Earth Observation, climate intelligence, and IoT technologies, it enhances farm management and adaptation to climate change. Its climate-smart tools support regional policy-making for better landscape management and risk mitigation. Following a PPP Living Lab approach, STARGATE connects research institutions, policymakers, ICT companies, and farmers to create a multi-actor framework for sustainable agriculture. It also explores agri-environmental solutions for sustainable farming, including livestock and agroforestry, modernizing farm management while preserving rural ecosystems.
The conclusions of the project highlight the successful implementation and validation of the STARGATE decision support system (DSS) for climate-adaptive farming. The project has contributed to optimizing farm operations, setting new strategies, and enhancing the use of exploitable results. By engaging multiple stakeholders, including farmers, researchers, policymakers, and businesses, STARGATE has effectively disseminated its findings, expanded networks, and created pathways for future collaborations and commercial exploitation. The results will continue to support sustainable agricultural practices, improve resilience against climate change, and influence policy recommendations at regional and EU levels.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The STARGATE project has developed a strong stakeholder community across six countries and 16 use cases, involving farmers, agronomists, water managers, government agencies, businesses, and experts. Through active participation, these stakeholders have helped define pilot case studies covering diverse agricultural and climatic conditions.
A detailed user requirements database has been created, addressing weather/climate information needs and challenges in adopting climate-smart agriculture technologies. Additionally, data management protocols have been designed based on pilot data requirements.
The project has developed an atmospheric data assimilation system, integrating satellite and ground-based observations for high-resolution weather forecasts. A multimodel ensemble prediction system using three weather models provides forecasts up to seven days, while a climate prediction system offers seasonal forecasts (1–6 months). Climate risk scenarios and agroclimatic indicators have been formulated.
Studies have assessed the impact of cultivation practices on microclimates and conducted climatological analyses to identify trends linked to global warming. Climate-smart decision tools are being designed to support policy makers and farmers in optimizing resource use and reducing emissions through precision farming, Earth observation data, and AI-driven models.
A land/crop suitability methodology has been developed for efficient land-use planning under climate change. A multi-actor validation framework ensures participatory monitoring throughout the project. Also, a dissemination pack has been created for effective communication of project results.
At the final reporting period, the STARGATE project has successfully developed and implemented innovative solutions for climate-smart agriculture, focusing on adaptive microclimate management. The project introduced advanced decision-support tools (DSS), predictive models, and data-sharing platforms that enable farmers to optimize their operations, increase productivity, and build resilience against climate change. By conducting extensive testing at pilot sites, STARGATE validated its methodologies and demonstrated their practical impact on real-world agricultural systems.
To ensure the long-term sustainability of its findings, the project focused on various exploitation strategies. These included the commercialization of key exploitable results (KERs), the development of business models tailored for market adoption, and collaborations with SMEs and policymakers. The project also aligned its outputs with EU agricultural policies, emphasizing their relevance for future regulatory frameworks and funding opportunities.
STARGATE effectively disseminated its results through a structured communication strategy. This included a highly successful online presence, newsletters, press releases, scientific publications, stakeholder engagement events, and social media campaigns. The project exceeded its key performance indicators (KPIs), surpassing targets for website visits, stakeholder registrations, and academic contributions. The establishment of the STARGATE Network of Interest (NoI) further expanded outreach, fostering collaborations with institutions worldwide. Through these efforts, the project has laid a strong foundation for the continued adoption and scaling of climate-smart farming innovations.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

STARGATE enhances climate data solutions by integrating analytics models to support local and regional policy-making for microclimate change mitigation. By expanding data sources beyond traditional methods, the project facilitates access to global datasets, including meteorological and satellite data, improving decision-making. Its innovative geospatial visualization tools and dynamic charting enhance big data interpretation for policymakers. The project’s adaptable results can extend to sectors like agro-food, climate adaptation, and precision farming, ensuring long-term impact. Socio-economically, STARGATE has boosted farm productivity, optimized resource use, reduced costs, and improved profitability while promoting sustainable land management. Additionally, it has fostered innovation and job creation in the agri-tech sector, particularly benefiting SMEs developing smart farming solutions.
On a societal level, STARGATE has played a key role in promoting environmental sustainability and climate adaptation strategies. By integrating microclimate management into agricultural practices, the project has contributed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving soil health, and conserving water resources. Furthermore, by engaging policymakers, researchers, and local communities, the project has influenced policy development and raised awareness about the importance of climate adaptation in agriculture.
The project has also had a strong impact on knowledge sharing and capacity building. Through its dissemination efforts, including workshops, training programs, and an active stakeholder network, STARGATE has empowered farmers and agricultural professionals with the tools and knowledge needed to implement climate-resilient practices. This has strengthened community resilience and encouraged a shift toward more sustainable farming methods across Europe and beyond.
Overall, the STARGATE project has made a lasting contribution to agricultural sustainability, economic resilience, and climate adaptation, ensuring that its outcomes benefit not only farmers and businesses but also society as a whole.

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