The American Farm Faculty (AFS) in Thessaloniki, Greece, is spearheading a transformative undertaking geared toward revolutionizing agricultural training and practices by way of the implementation of a data-driven, good greenhouse. In collaboration with Cisco, Dataways S.A., and Inexperienced Challenge S.A., this initiative integrates cutting-edge Web of Issues (IoT) applied sciences, offering college students with hands-on expertise in good farming whereas demonstrating the technological advantages to native farmers.
The Want for Innovation
Greenhouse farming performs an important position in fashionable agriculture by addressing meals safety, useful resource conservation, and sustainability. It facilitates year-round manufacturing whereas safeguarding crops towards pests, ailments, and excessive climate. This method conserves very important sources like water, makes use of renewable power to cut back greenhouse fuel emissions, and minimizes chemical utilization.
Nevertheless, many farms throughout Greece, nonetheless depend on conventional practices that restrict effectivity and productiveness. To beat these challenges, AFS is partnering with Cisco to modernize its curriculum and incorporate data-driven greenhouse expertise into its agricultural training program. As well as, the Greek Ministry of Agricultural Growth and Meals has a plan to help and assist Greek farmers construct new and good greenhouses.
Not too long ago unveiled at a particular occasion on AFS’ campus, the “good and digital greenhouse” drew notable attendees, together with Kostas Tsiaras, the Minister of Agricultural Growth and Meals. Tsiaras emphasised the importance of greenhouse cultivation packages for enhancing Greece’s main sector and export capabilities, and highlighted Greece’s shift from a deficit to a constructive agricultural stability, noting the rise in meals and vegetable exports since 2023. He additionally famous that in Greece there are roughly 50,000 acres (20,000 hectares) of greenhouse cultivation, whereas within the Netherlands, whose space is twice that of the Greek area of Thessaly, the corresponding space reaches 120,000 acres (48,000 hectares).
Stratos Simopoulos, Chairman of the Analysis and Expertise Committee of the Parliament, harassed the significance of recent expertise in creating sustainability and resilience in agriculture. He remarked, “Greenhouse cultivation is evolving right into a cutting-edge sector, contributing to lowered water and pesticide use whereas concurrently growing manufacturing.”
Cisco’s Good Answer
As a part of Cisco’s Nation Digital Acceleration program, and in partnership with Dataways S.A. and Inexperienced Tasks S.A., Cisco carried out a state-of-the-art, information pushed, Good Greenhouse resolution at AFS. This initiative contains high-bandwidth wi-fi transmission methods, environmental sensors, automated controls, surveillance cameras, and information accessibility instruments. These applied sciences allow real-time monitoring and optimization of greenhouse circumstances, demonstrating the transformative energy of IoT in agriculture. Nikos Lambrogeorgos, Public Sector Shopper Govt at Cisco Hellas, highlighted the set up of those applied sciences and their position in reaching extra sustainable crop administration, growing manufacturing, and decreasing power and water prices.
A Instructing and Inspirational Mannequin
Agriculture is a cornerstone of Greece’s economic system, tradition, and heritage. In response to the European Fee’s Widespread Agricultural Coverage (CAP) Strategic Plan for Greece, round 400,000 individuals are employed in agriculture, accounting for about 10% of complete employment. Though this share has decreased through the years, agriculture stays very important to Greece’s economic system, contributing considerably to exports and rural employment.
The Good Greenhouse at AFS serves as a pioneering mannequin for agricultural development in Greece, providing college students sensible expertise in good farming methods and appearing as an illustration web site for native farmers. AFS President Dr. Jeff Landsdale acknowledged, “The good and digital greenhouse shouldn’t be solely a technological innovation but in addition an academic instrument that may assist the college’s college students acquire priceless data and expertise for the longer term.”
IoT That Evokes
As Europe continues its digital transformation journey, tasks just like the Good Greenhouse in Greece exemplify IoT’s potential to revolutionize conventional industries. By delivering the Good Greenhouse undertaking, Cisco has bolstered its management in IoT options tailor-made to the agricultural sector. This initiative underscores Cisco’s dedication to driving digital transformation in training and agriculture, illustrating with its companions {that a} extra power environment friendly and technologically superior future is inside attain.
This publish was co-authored by Nikolaos Lambrogeorgos,
Shopper Govt at Cisco Greece
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