SmartVitiNet
Smart and Sustainable Drone-assisted Viticulture Excellence Network
Description

The aim of the SmartVitiNet project is to (a) scale-up, pilot and bring to the market an innovative holistic phytosanitary and plant protection system based on the use of unmanned aerial vehicles, new observational platforms and new ready to use sensors, and (b) establish a Competence Center for Precision Viticulture. The proposed research will utilize complementary knowledge, experiences and infrastructure of all partners to achieve the proposed innovative results. The sustainability of the undertaking will be ensured thanks to the establishment of the Competence Centre for Precision Viticulture which aims to upskill sector professionals, create expert networks, facilitate permanent flows of knowledge transfer between academia, innovative SMEs, viticulture professionals and regional authorities to increase sector competitiveness, while enacting EU environmental policies, reducing sector health impact and risks of food pollution.

Challenge

Viticulture is facing challenges in all European countries related to the Climate Change (CC) effects and the preparation of vine growers to employ new technological solutions to face these changes and emerging needs. The promotion of the sustainable use of pesticides is one of the important actions being undertaken by the EU in support of the achievement of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Precision viticulture technologies such as unmanned aerial vehicles can be an alternative that ensures continued crop health monitoring, as well as timely and targeted interventions, with the aim to reduce the amount of pesticide chemicals applied, resulting in significant benefits for the economy, health and the environment. The familiarization of producers with such technologies will be achieved through best practice identification and the creation of a Competence Center.

Approach

SmartVitiNet will advance the state-of-knowledge in viticulture including new observational platforms and new ready to use sensors to be employed to enhance sustainable agriculture with efficient operations. New technologies will be developed with end users so that the technology inclusion to the market is ensured and barriers are prevented. A Competence Centre for Precision Viticulture will also be created with the aim to upskill working force in the agricultural sector, especially in less developed regions, and facilitate the implementation of EU environmental policies.

Academic Research Impact

SmartVitiNet addresses several S3 priorities of regions involved and is expected to have significant impacts on regional and EU sectors of: Agriculture, Health, Environment, and ICT. Impacts include: (1) Provision of useful tools and knowledge for the reduction of manmade sources of pollution and their negative health effects on sector workers. (2) Minimization of agriculture losses and efficient mitigation of climate change consequences. (3) Rational use of natural resources: Protection of underwaters and food chain by minimising pesticides and fertilisers use. (4) Protection and utilization of cultural heritage. Vineyards and wine paths are a treasured piece of cultural heritage. (5) Increased competitiveness of innovative EU tech-SMEs active in the sector of precision viticulture. (6) Upskilling of sector professionals and increased productivity and competitiveness of EU viticulture sector (especially premium wine production).

Internal Partners
Research Centre Research Group Role in Project Begin Date End Date
BRU-Iscte -- Partner 2023-02-01 2023-02-01
IT-Iscte -- Partner 2022-12-01 2025-11-30
External Partners
Institution Country Role in Project Begin Date End Date
GEOPONIKO PANEPISTIMION ATHINON (AUA) Greece Leader 2022-12-01 2025-11-30
FUTURE NEEDS MANAGEMENT CONSULTING LTD (Future Needs ) Cyprus Partner 2022-12-01 2025-11-30
ARTEMIS AGRAIA SYMVOULEYTIKI ANONYMI ETAIREIA (HDRON) Greece Partner 2022-12-01 2025-11-30
Dronint, Lda (Dronint) Cyprus Partner 2022-12-01 2025-11-30
Do Joa, Lda. (Casa do Joa ) Portugal Partner 2022-12-01 2025-11-30
Alma Design Conceito e Desenvolvimento de Design, Lda. (ALMADESIGN ) Portugal Partner 2022-12-01 2025-11-30
Patamar Real, Lda (Ramilo Wines ) Portugal Partner 2022-12-01 2025-11-30
Agrooikologia E. E (Agroecologia) Greece Partner 2022-12-01 2025-11-30
Arribas Wine Company, Lda (AWC) Portugal Partner 2022-12-01 2025-11-30
WALTR (WALTR) France Partner 2022-12-01 2025-11-30
Project Team
Name Affiliation Role in Project Begin Date End Date
Sofia Kalakou Professora Auxiliar (DMOG); Integrated Researcher (BRU-Iscte); Local Coordinator 2022-12-01 2025-11-30
Nelson Jorge Campos Ramalho Professor Associado (DRHCO); Integrated Researcher (BRU-Iscte); Researcher 2022-12-01 2025-11-30
Pedro Joaquim Amaro Sebastião Professor Catedrático (DTDA); Integrated Researcher (IT-Iscte); Researcher 2022-12-01 2025-11-30
Sofia Samoili -- Researcher 2022-12-01 2025-11-30
Margarida Lopes -- Research Assistant 2023-11-01 2025-11-30
Project Fundings
Reference/Code Funding DOI Funding Type Funding Program Funding Amount (Global) Funding Amount (Local) Begin Date End Date
101083737 -- Contract European Commission - I3 Project Grants 2833490 298615 2022-12-01 2025-11-30
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With the objective to increase the research activity directed towards the achievement of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, the possibility of associating scientific projects with the Sustainable Development Goals is now available in Ciência_Iscte. These are the Sustainable Development Goals identified for this project. For more detailed information on the Sustainable Development Goals, click here.

Smart and Sustainable Drone-assisted Viticulture Excellence Network
2022-12-01
2025-11-30