By providing an IoT architecture, this good practice of smart viticulture enables efficiency and productivity with a non-negligible impact on the environment.
In recent years, the use of various wireless sensors, drones, satellite images and other measurement tools has introduced the concept of a smart viticulture.
Smart viticulture is based on observation, measurement and collection of environmental parameters to optimize wine production and reduce damaging environmental impact.
However, the biggest disadvantage of smart viticulture are maintenance costs and the initial investing capital.
In addition to solving long-term environmental challenges caused by excessive consumption of drinking water and agrochemicals, this good practice provides the winemakers with access to necessary tools, data and skills as well.
Due to its specific design, embodied in easy to use approach, which addresses some of the most pressing issues of the viticulture sector, e.g. low technological and economic efficiency of young wine-growers, high environmental impact of agriculture, mainly due to limited control of use of plant protection products or non-sustainable plant protection and non-sustainable land use of agricultural land with limited provision of adequate soil fertility and a high risk of erosion and soil degradation, this practice has a universal cross-border appeal.
Overall, the developed good practice based on the IoT solutions of the architecture of LoRaWAN connectivity will lower production costs and consequently foster sustainable approaches to viticulture especially for family farms, representing more than 90% of farms in the EU.
Resources needed
The IoT solution, developed within this good practice uses a sensor system with LoRaWAN connectivity, which is known for being cost efficient, is low maintenance and is durable. Initial founding is 2500 euros (equipment costs).
Evidence of success
• academic paper presented at 29th International Electrotechnical and Computer Science Conference, 21. - 22. September 2020 and an academic paper to be published in ofe2021's Proceedings
• Active work with the stakeholders from business, public administration and community
• Preparation of the equipment
• Internationalization of this good practice
• Cooperation with cooperatives
Difficulties encountered
Two main challenges:
• Initial capital and maintenance costs
• Ensuring more communication locally in order to change people’s behavior towards digital transformation (driving up the demand for innovative ICT-based solutions)
Potential for learning or transfer
This is a good practice of human-centered digital transformation with potential to be transferred to other regions, interested in the development of smart viticulture, which is fostering sustainable development in agriculture.
The key successful factors are involvement of key stakeholders of winegrowers and provision of the IoT solution which is cost efficient, of low maintenance and is all and all durable.
Provided IoT solution can also be easily applied to other agricultural activities.
Tags: Agriculture, Cooperation, Development, Environment, Smart, Sustainable, Technology
