Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are being increasingly used for the spraying of pesticides for crop protection in complex geographic terrains that are not easily accessible by operators. This experiment was conducted to investigate the sprayer performance of a commercial UAV, equipped with different types of nozzles, and compare this new technology with the sprayers usually used on small size mountain vineyards (i.e. a knapsack sprayer and a sprayer gun). Field tests were conducted in a small high slope terraced vineyard. The operative parameters of the sprayers were calculated. Data on droplet coverage, density and size were collected by using water sensitive papers attached with clips to the leaves and analysed. The results showed that the working capacity of the UAV was 2-fold that of the sprayer gun 1.6-fold that of the knapsack sprayer. Droplet coverage, density and size were variable and affected by the position of the targets (water sensitive papers) and the type of sprayer used.

This study shows a new methodological proposal for wine farm management, as a result of the progressive development of the technological innovations and their adoption. The study was carried out in Italy involving farmers, workers, or owners of wine farms who are progressively introducing or using precision agriculture technologies on their farm. The methodology proposed was divided in four stages (1. understanding the changes in action; 2. identifying the added value of Smart Farming processes; 3. verifying the reliability of new technologies; 4. adjusting production processes) that can be applied at different levels in vine farms to make the adoption of precision agriculture techniques and technologies harmonious and profitable. Data collection was carried out using a participant-observer method in brainstorming sessions, where the authors reflected on the significance of technology adoption means and how to put them in practice, and interviews, questionnaire surveys, diaries, and observations. Moreover, project activities and reports provided auxiliary data. The findings highlighted the issues of a sector which, although with broad investment and finance options, lacks a structure of human, territorial, and organizational resources for the successful adoption of technological innovations. The work represents a basis for the future development of models for strategic scenario planning and risk assessments for farmers, policymakers, and scientists.

This paper set out to explore the precision agriculture (PA)-training needs of students studying in agricultural universities in the Euro-Mediterranean region (Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain). SPARKLE is a Knowledge Alliance Project, funded by the European Union (EU), and one of its main goals is to narrow the innovation divide between entrepreneurship and the effective application of sustainable PA. During the project, the research conducted in all countries in the Euro-Mediterranean region revealed differences in the PA-training needs of university students. Additionally, this paper set out to explore the socioeconomic characteristics of students that affect their interest and knowledge towards PA. Finally, this paper aimed to understand the scope, present status and strategies for improving PA training in agricultural universities in the Euro-Mediterranean region. The following descriptive statistics and two multivariate analysis techniques were used: Two-Step Cluster Analysis (TSCA) and Categorical Regression (CATREG). Results support the notion that the lack of “PA knowledge/interest” adds to the technological gap amongst university students, slow adoption of PA and lower levels of overall rural economic development. These findings will be used as the fundamental cognition for the development of a joint action plan and several other national plans in the selected regions.

The growing need for production processes oriented to environmental sustainability is leading to the quickly spreading of robotic solutions. In this scenario, the Smart Machine for Agricultural Solutions High-tech SMASH project is focusing on the development of a robotic collaborative ecosystem. It consists of four main modules: an unmanned ground vehicle (AgroBot), a soil monitoring unit (Plantoid), an aerial unit (Fly-Bot), and a mobile service unit on the field (AncillaryBot). Furthermore, the SMASH project is implementing technological solutions with a view to resolve some issues related to nutrition safety (e.g. nitrate content on the vegetable) and environmental sustainability (e.g. pesticide use, production process waste) in two representative scenarios of specialty crops (viticulture) and vegetables (spinach). The present work reports the results concerning the design stage and development of the robotic terrestrial platform AgroBot and their implements for the crop protection management and physical control of weeds. A system made of a terrestrial wheeled platform with an innovative perception system and three types of implements have been built to make sustainable agronomic practices.

Based on the European Community framework directive 2009/128/EC that is devoted to the sustainable use of pesticides, farmers’ sensitivity and their administrative fulfillments are growing in recent years. Great attention is directed towards remote data acquisition by smartphone, satellites, drones. An available technological tool to accomplish this in the scenario of precision viticulture technologies is telemetry. This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of the data acquired with a telemetry system used when applying crop protection products in a winemaking farm for management optimization. Results showed an incorrect operative operation rate for 9.53% of the total kilometers worked during the spraying phase with a variable cost for fuel and pesticides ranging between 0.01 € m–1 and 0.03 € m–1.

Lean “slim” is a management method that increases efficency of the process analizing sequence, times and infrastructures to create more value with less work. Pillars of Lean production are multiple optimizing actions: 5S (sort, set-up, shine, standardize, sustain), Seven Waste Identification, Value Stream Mapping, Total Productive Mainteinance, error proofing, FastChangeovers, CI Blitz. Born in Toyota following the evolution of Scientific Method of Management, Taylorism and Total Quality is the actual efficiental method in the productive process. It is a new born method in farming but already used in agro-industry process like winery. It is a partecipative, continuous improvement action that is based on human involvement and structural optimization.

The new paradigm of digitization, connectivity and Precision Agriculture is a great opportunity in growing on work efficiency and profitability, resources and environment care, social evolution in new jobs and in a new way of working. However, this widespread adoption require time in appropriate machines, devices, systems and procedures. In the different stage of complexity, economic and environmental advantages are already defined in an important document of the European Parliament (STOA 2016 and 2017) i.e. The first step of PA adoption saves time and fuel for 15-20%, new conservative operation reduces soil erosion up to 15 times, more complex steps make saving up to 70% of chemicals for pest control. Nevertheless, problems arise with education and training.

Effective use of technologies is strictly related to direct and ancillary supports. The reliability of technological support system is essential; and territorial development of these skills is fundamental for a trustworthy introduction of innovation. The performances of the introduced technologies depend on an appropriate support at local and enterprise level: any technology requires providers and services (HD and SW) to be maintained, repaired and set up, which means well-trained consultants and human capital by the appropriate educational system. The efficiency of the local ecosystem, which supports the introduced technologies, is determined by the skills growth and competences and the Local Ecosystem Readiness Level (LERL), required by the new introducing technology, defines it.