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The Agricultural Machinery Unit (UMA) coordinates RENOVATE, a European project aimed at fostering the exchange of practical knowledge among farmers to optimize sustainable crop management through innovation.
One of the main challenges of modern agriculture is improving the efficiency of phytosanitary products while minimizing their environmental impact. In this context, the project will develop a mobile application to improve farmers' access to specialized training, exchange practical knowledge, and enhance farmers' abilities to achieve more sustainable crop management. This collaborative model, which involves farmers, advisors, manufacturers, and authorities, ensures that knowledge and solutions are tailored to local needs.
Through serious games, simulations, practical databases, and the creation of an online community for sharing knowledge and available materials, farmers will be able to implement a more sustainable, innovative, and digital crop management approach. This will enable them to efficiently apply integrated pest management and understand and comply with the EU legislation affecting them.
Three key objectives have been established for the development of RENOVATE:
- Identifying farmers' training needs regarding crop protection programs, as well as the factors, challenges, and legislation that influence the adoption of new technologies.
- Development of personalized, easy-to-understand, and practical training content, which will be disseminated through the platform in a didactic way. This will make it easier for farmers and advisors to access training materials, databases, and official information. Additionally, the implementation of online games, simulators, and the integration of artificial intelligence will be key innovations for improving training.
- Accelerating the adoption of innovation and new technologies through Advanced Knowledge Transfer Actions (AKTA), strengthening cooperation between researchers, advisors, and farmers.
In addition to coordinating the project, UMA brings its solid experience both in pesticide application technologies and in training and knowledge transfer. Its extensive track record in training actions at both national and international levels has allowed it to gain a deep understanding of the specific needs of the sector. This experience has been crucial in promoting the integration of innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence, simulators, and serious games, with the aim of capturing the interest of young people and encouraging their entry into a field that demands their skills and potential.
Impact
The RENOVATE project will promote the modernization of the agricultural sector through knowledge, innovation, and digitalization, transforming the European agricultural sector comprehensively. It will enable the application of more efficient practices, both for the natural environment and the profitability of activities. Additionally, it is expected to reduce and optimize the use of phytosanitary products sustainably, thus decreasing soil and water pollution and protecting biodiversity.
The project aligns with the objectives of the European Green Deal, the Farm to Fork Strategy, the new CAP, and the UN SDGs for 2030. The goal is to promote more eco-friendly practices, reduce carbon emissions, and contribute to the preservation of the natural environment.
Budget and Funding
The consortium is composed of 16 partners from 8 EU countries and has a multidisciplinary nature, bringing together experts and leading entities such as universities, research centers, public administrations, technology companies, associations, cooperatives, and SMEs.
RENOVATE has a duration of 4 years (May 2024 - April 2028) and a budget of €2,999,998.
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