This modern idea of smart farming, whether it is performed in greenhouses or through indoor techniques, can be optimized by utilizing the controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) technology, where all environmental factors i.e. temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, pH, etc. can be controlled and automated based on the Industry 4.0 trends.
Most importantly, smart farming systems do not require much prior expert knowledge in order to start your own cultivation; it requires resources like a backyard or a rooftop, and a hands-on approach combined with the right skills. Nevertheless, in most countries throughout Europe, they are still in an infantile stage, even though it is rapidly developing during the last few years. Especially concerning the project’s participating countries (Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Turkey and Cyprus) where farming and fishing are two very important – yet not as modernized – industries, new smart farming methods cannot be located in many curricula of VET organizations or HEIs, nor are there many large-scale establishments, either for profit or non-profit.
This is why the partners have come together to establish the “Smart Farming 4.0 All” consortium, in order to conduct extensive desk and field research addressed to a wide variety of relevant stakeholders and professionals, to create a Smart Farming Handbook and disseminate it freely to everybody interested, and to develop specific training curricula that will be utilized to train experts from the participating organizations as “carriers” of innovation, in order to be able to spread and mainstream this novel method back to their regions. Therefore, the project will have a wide consequent impact to different sectors and countries that, nonetheless, face similar challenges. Also, taking under account the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the project’s implementation will provide a common set of tools that will be addressed and disseminated to everybody interested to – literally – get their hands dirty: young and adult students, entrepreneurs and fellow professionals, academics, trainers and even policymakers will be presented with the project’s results and the ability to utilize them, each one for their respective purposes, but always with a view to sustainable development.
