From Precision to Artificial Intelligence: productive scenarios for a sustainable horticulture

Within the important scenario of Macfrut 2024, the international exhibition in Rimini dedicated to innovation in fruit and vegetables, Clust-ER Agrifood has realised the seminar "From Precision to Artificial Intelligence: productive scenarios for a sustainable horticulture".

This event has been coordinated by the Value Chain SOSFARM (Sustainable Agriculture and Precision Farming) of the Clust-ER Agrifood, and in particular by his Chair, Prof. Enrico Francia of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia.

Aim of the event was to illustrate the main technologies related to agricultural production, the applications of major interest, as well as critical issues and main perspectives. 

The event has been chaired by Prof. Roberta Martelli (University of Modena and Reggio Emilia), with a relevant experience in technological systems for precision farming. Her intervention has been related to define "Artificial Intelligence", showing the main technologies (autonomous tractors, imaging technologies, weeds control, harvesting robots); the main critical issues presented refer to high levels of investments needed, limited availability of qualified staff, data security, lack of standardised protocols.

The main perspectives are related to increased visual capacities thanks to the use of advanced 3D cameras, increased capacities of decision due to a longer autonomy of the robots, higher access of these technologies for farmers.

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The event continued with the presentation of Roberto Innocenti (Romagna Impianti) about digital solutions for fruit and vegetable productions, Daniele Barbieri (Zuffellato) regarding digitalisation, traceability and sustainability in F&V productions. The event has been concluded with the presentation of Francesco Coletti (Cluster Agrifood Friuli Venezia Giulia Region) about the project “Io Sono FVG” related to sustainability processes, and Micaela Morgante (IFCQ Certificazioni) about good practices in the agrifood certification processes.

Connected to this last topic, the effort of the Emilia-Romagna region to invest in concrete solutions regarding the digitalization and sustainability of the value chain has been realized through significant support from the European Regional Development Fund. For the field of interest, the financial supports was adressed to project proposals aligned with the priority area descriptors of the Emilia-Roamgna Region Smart Specialisation Strategy, particularly those involving strategic industrial research projects. Many topics are related to strategies to enhance the efficacy of water resources for both horticultural and orchard productions, enabling technologies such as IoT systems, validation of proximal sensors for non-destructive mapping and manufacturing of active packaging with antimicrobial action. Those solutions represent the concrete direction that the regional ecosystem is undertaking to maximize the expected results of the regional operational plan for a strategic industry like agrifood.

Finally, interregional topics of interest will be explored in depth at the S3 Conference 2024 to be held in Rimini on 11 and 12 December. This is an opportunity both to design and implement successful strategies of  European regional S3s and to establish synergies on key topics of economic interest, such as Agrifood, from a cross-sectoral perspective.

The initiative is organised by the DG for Regional Policy of the European Commission and the S3 CoP Secretariat, in cooperation with the Emilia-Romagna Region and with the support of the Municipality of Rimini.