Until the end of November, the applications for a notice for "intelligent control" of crops

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"Intelligent control" on crops can be achieved by farmers, who will take advantage of the subsidies for "Investments for modernization, improving the competitiveness of overall performance", of the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy 2023-2027. The announcement, which has been in effect since the end of July, has a deadline for submitting applications on November 29, 2024.

According to an official statement, weather conditions and the microclimate of an area are key factors in the growth and development of crops and it is necessary to take them seriously in calculating the viability of an agricultural holding.

It is noted that "precision agriculture" is a modern method of managing agricultural parcels, utilizing modern technologies and scientific knowledge so that more correct decisions are made in the production process with simultaneous economic and environmental benefits.

"Intelligent control" on crops can be achieved by farmers, who will take advantage of the subsidies of Priority 7 of the current call for Intervention 4.1.1 "Investments for modernisation, improving the competitiveness of overall performance", of the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy 2023-2027.

The announcement, which has been in effect since the end of July, has a deadline for submitting applications on November 29, 2024.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, with this Priority, promotes an integrated approach to the management of agricultural activity, adapting and evolving agricultural practices to optimal ones, with the aim of maximizing the profit margin, the announcement states.

The investments covered are 1. Agro-meteorological station: A system that adjusts irrigation based on information feedback (irrigation model), while also being used for disease prediction (plant protection model) and 2. "Smart" electronic water meter: Has remote monitoring capability , recording irrigation water consumption in real time, offering a history of consumption.

As mentioned, the use of modern agro-meteorological stations, smart water meters and the continuous recording and processing of climatic and soil parameters is expected to offer irrigation water savings, as farmers will apply the optimal dose and frequency of irrigation, based on exact needs of their crops, improvement of crop yield, by applying plant protection models, enhancing the growth and yield of their crops, reduction of production costs, with improved and controlled input management and environmental protection, with more efficient use of natural resources resources and protecting the environment from nutrient leaching caused by over-irrigation.

The proposed investments can be applied individually or in combination to all the intended crops.

Regarding agro-meteorological stations and "smart water meters", it is stated that these are intelligent control, recording, data processing and decision-making systems.

The stations, it is added, consist of a network of sensors, which record in real time various parameters such as temperature and relative air humidity, wind speed and direction, rain height, barometric pressure, solar radiation, temperature and soil moisture, upper and lower artificial leaf moisture. Data is transferred in real time to a climate database for processing, presentation and storage.

The software system in any case should be able to apply a water needs estimation model and a disease prediction model, to control irrigation, and alert for the possible use of plant protection agents based on the indications of the sensors.

Most commercially available systems are able to alert the user to both possible frost and unusually high water flows in the system (such as pipe leaks).

Smart water meters are electronic type water meters coupled with an event recording device. These are water meters, which can be installed even in remote areas where there is no electricity or internet. The purpose is remote monitoring and recording of irrigation water.

It is noted that the specific targeted Intervention to promote the implementation of smart irrigation systems is part (Priority 7) of the new announcement of Intervention 4.1.1, which is structured on the basis of 7 Priorities determined by the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment following consultation with the agricultural world, with a total budget of 10 million euros.

For more information regarding the submission of an application for a grant of the investment, those interested can contact the Central Offices of the Department of Agriculture on the phones 22763547 and 22760458 (Land and Water Use Branch).

Source: KYPE