SMART agriculture for innovative vegetable crop PROTECTion: harnessing advanced methodologies and technologies

Project Information

SMARTPROTECT

Grant agreement ID: 862563

DOI

10.3030/862563

Project closed

EC signature date 30 July 2019

Start date 1 January 2020

End date 30 June 2023

Funded under

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

Total cost

€ 1 996 187,50

EU contribution

€ 1 996 187,50

Coordinated by

INAGRO, PROVINCIAAL EXTERN VERZELFSTANDIGD AGENTSCHAP IN PRIVAATRECHTELIJKE VORM VZW
Belgium

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - SMARTPROTECT (SMART agriculture for innovative vegetable crop PROTECTion: harnessing advanced methodologies and technologies)

Reporting period: 2021-07-01 to 2023-06-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The horticulture sector accounts for a considerable share of the agricultural output while involving only a small percentage of the total acreage. The vegetable sector is thus characterized by a high added value and as a provider of easily accessible jobs. Farmers in horticulture, as in other agricultural subsectors, face the challenge of responding to the mandatory implementation of the principles of integrated pest management or IPM. This means careful consideration of all available plant protection methods and subsequent integration of appropriate measures that discourage the development of populations of harmful organisms, considering economically and ecologically justified interventions and minimal risks for human and environmental health as a barometer. IPM stands for a holistic approach to plant health management, based on prevention, monitoring and control.
In the frame of current developments on the EU level towards a more sustainable agriculture the there is a growing need and pressure to refine the implementation of IPM, particularly for the farming community. Moreover, an increasing worry about food safety has been highlighted.
SMARTPROTECT intends to develop a EU wide thematic network offering advanced farming technology and data analysis by identifying the needs of farmers and purpose methodologies for daily practices based on smart Integrated Pest Management. Through its e-platform, knowledge for vegetable corps related to IPM is gathered, shared, managed and distributed. It benchmarks the highest innovation model for SMART IPM, providing farmers with easily accessible and understandable material, guidelines and support systems for vegetable cropping.

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 project focuses on four IPM subthemes: 1. beneficials, pests and pathogens, using specific algorithms, 2. innovative monitoring techniques, such as automatic counting, sensor systems and multispectral imaging, 3. prediction models, incorporation into warning and decision support systems and 4. innovative biological control techniques.
A sustainable platform for knowledge sharing connects agricultural networks at national and regional level across the EU, involving actors such as farmers, advisors, SME’s, regional authorities and researchers. This allows a continuous and interactive knowledge flow on SMART IPM.
An in depth SWOT analysis of innovative techniques and methodologies based on selected pests and diseases in different crops facilitates benchmarking the best practices with the highest innovation potential.
Easily accessible and understandable material, guidelines and support systems in relation to SMART IPM in vegetable cropping will be provided for farmers, taking into account the regional socio-economic, cultural and regulator context.
Cross border and transnational exchange visits will bridge the gap between European regions by knowledge exchange on technologies, methodologies, approaches, best practices, experiences and expertise.
The project links with ongoing thematic networks and relevant research and innovation networks in all countries across Europe, thus engaging the wider European Innovation Partnership context.
Finally the long term sustainability of produced outputs and obtained knowledge is secured by feeding into existing initiatives and networks at national and European level.

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)

SMARTPROTECT will take several measures in order to conserve the project’s results are conserved beyond the project period. An online data sharing platform aims at widely disseminating and communicating on the project’s outcome and results after the project has ended. The generated relevant practice abstracts and other practical know how will be disseminated through links with EU initiatives, agricultural networks and innovation platforms. Moreover, the project partners use their own dissemination channels at national and local level (websites, newsletters, leaflets, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) and address their own target groups for transmitting the project information based on the project outcomes and beyond the project’s duration. Various stakeholders, such as growers’ associations, advisors, enterprises, sector organisations, policy representatives and European research consortia have expressed their support to the project.
In a second stage of the project the flow of practical innovation between farmers is stimulated through peer to peer learning at participatory activities. They will have access to tools and material adapted to the specific needs and interests of farmers and advisors in the different EU-regions in their local languages.
For the sake of achieving greater user acceptance of collected solutions and a more intensive dissemination of existing knowledge, farmers are invited to give direct feedback with their opinions, practical experiences and effects on their businesses. The project will also have a significant impact on the sustainability, competitiveness and economy of the European Agriculture. It contributes to further implementation the EU regulations on the sustainable use of pesticides, which forces the entire agricultural sector to produce under IPM conditions. Eventually an environmentally sustainable crop contributes to both food quality and food safety and will lead to a bigger confidence at the consumer level.

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