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2021 | Buch

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Information and Communication Technologies for Agriculture—Theme IV: Actions

herausgegeben von: Dionysis D. Bochtis, Simon Pearson, Maria Lampridi, Vasso Marinoudi, Panos M. Pardalos

Verlag: Springer International Publishing

Buchreihe : Springer Optimization and Its Applications

Enthalten in: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Technik" , Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

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Über dieses Buch

This volume is the last (IV) of four under the main themes of Digitizing Agriculture and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). The four volumes cover rapidly developing processes including Sensors (I), Data (II), Decision (III), and Actions (IV). Volumes are related to ‘digital transformation” within agricultural production and provision systems, and in the context of Smart Farming Technology and Knowledge-based Agriculture. Content spans broadly from data mining and visualization to big data analytics and decision making, alongside with the sustainability aspects stemming from the digital transformation of farming. The four volumes comprise the outcome of the 12th EFITA Congress, also incorporating chapters that originated from select presentations of the Congress.

The focus in this volume is on the directions of Agriculture 4.0 which incorporates the transition to a new era of action in the Agricultural sector, represented by the evolution of digital technologies in 4 aspects: Big Data, Open Data, Internet of Things (IoT), and Cloud Computing. Under the heading of “Action,” 14 Chapters investigate the implementation of cutting-edge technologies on real world applications. It will become apparent to the reader that the penetration of ICT in agriculture can result in several benefits related to the sustainability of the sector and to yield the maximum benefits, successful management is required. The entire discussion highlights the importance of proper education in the adoption of innovative technologies starting with the adaption of educational systems to the new era and moving to the familiarization of farmers to the new technologies.

This book covers topics that relate to the digital transformation of farming. It provides examples and case studies of this transformation from around the world, examines the process of diffusion of digital technologies, and assesses the current and future sustainability aspects of digital agriculture. More specifically, it deals with issues such as:

Challenges and opportunities from the transition to Agriculture 4.0Safety and health in agricultural work automationThe role of digital farming on regional-spatial planningThe enrollment of Social Media in IoT-based agricultureThe role of education in digital agricultureReal-life implementation cases of smart agriculture around the world

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter

Agriculture Digital Transformation and Sustainability

Frontmatter

Towards Sustainable Agriculture: Challenges from the Transition to the New Digital Era

Abstract

Providing sufficient food to meet the needs of the ever-increasing population, as expressed by the term food security, has posed a number of challenges to modern agriculture. Towards that direction, the transition to the digital era of agriculture aims at addressing nutritional needs, also taking into account the emerging problems. The present chapter firstly attempts to present the challenges faced by modern agriculture on the environment, the economy and the society. Subsequently, a series of sustainable ways to address these challenges is presented, including an overview of innovative technologies such as precision agriculture, alternative farming as well as the importance of ergonomics in agriculture along with the relative advancements. The chapter concludes with the investigation of the socioeconomic difficulties faced by farmers when adopting technological innovations and the factors that affect their successful adoption.

Maria Lampridi, Vasso Marinoudi, Lefteris Benos, Simon Pearson, Dionysis D. Bochtis, Panos M. Pardalos

Sustainability in the Digital Farming Era: A Cyber-Physical Analysis Approach for Drone Applications in Agriculture 4.0

Abstract

This research introduces an integrated approach for the ex-ante analysis of technology innovations in agriculture, like unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), to foster the envisaged sustainable transformation in farming operations. The strategic foresight process of global institutions recognizes the beneficial role of “digital twins” in agriculture for ensuring natural resources’ stewardship and farmers’ livelihood. However, farmers often encounter ambiguities in comprehending the operationalization of digital technologies in agricultural fields as the related scientific and experimental evidence myopically focus on the technical specifications of the respective machinery. Indicatively, the adoption of UAVs for informing decisions related to precision irrigation is often overlooked, while the pertinent literature is sparse and dispersed. This research facilitates the adoption of UAVs for freshwater stewardship in farming operations by: (i) identifying and summarizing advantages and disadvantages related to the utilization of UAVs (commonly known as drones) in agriculture; and (ii) examining “digital twins” in agriculture by proposing a cyber-physical analysis approach for UAVs supporting precision irrigation activities. Specifically, this research develops an emulation model that helps interrogate a UAV’s operational aspects with regard to monitoring water stress levels in an orchard and then implements equivalent real-world intelligent aerial systems for the autonomous identification of the water status of plants to inform precision irrigation operations in an agricultural field.

Naoum Tsolakis, Dimitrios Bechtsis, Giorgos Vasileiadis, Ioannis Menexes, Dionysis D. Bochtis

Digital Technologies in the Context of Energy: Focus on the Developing World Agriculture

Abstract

More than 700 million people are still living in extreme poverty. The majority of these people live in rural areas of the developing world. One of the major pathways out of poverty for these areas is rural development. Agriculture is still considered to be the key sector for economic development. Rural electrification can provide major benefits to rural populations, since it can facilitate improvement in health, education and income. The financing of rural electrification activities is challenging and in order for such investments to be sustainable, sustainable economic activity in the area has to take place. Productive uses of energy related to agriculture are the ones that can have a major impact in the short-term and as such need to be strongly supported. Digital technologies can be viewed as an enabler of rural electrification, able to decrease costs and address technical and non-technical challenges. Products and services based on digital technologies have to be utilized in order to allow technological leap-frogging of the developing countries towards economic development and ultimately poverty alleviation.

George Kyriakarakos, Maria Lampridi, Dionysis D. Bochtis

A Circular Precision Farming System Towards the Optimization of Dairy Value-Chains

Abstract

A large part of the agricultural environmental impacts are attributed to conventional agricultural operations related to livestock and the associated crops, due to the inappropriate use of resources such as water and fertilizers. The resulting non-optimal value chains in such production systems, mostly suffer due to the insufficient data handling and processing. The rapid improvement of technology has led to the adoption of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools in the agricultural supply chain under the recently introduced farm management concept called precision agriculture. Additionally, the integration of the principles of circular economy in agriculture-related ICT technologies, can lead to the development of Circular Precision Farming Systems. Such tools measure and monitor all aspects of the farming system, providing the user with integrated solutions leading to the improved sustainability of the farm through optimal resource use and management. The present chapter focuses on the conceptualization of such a Circular Precision Farming System, presenting the basic elements and requirements for its realization in the two basic pillars of agriculture; crop production and dairy farming. Considering the complex interaction within the value chain between the crops grown for feed and the animals, such systems can serve as decision support to guide farmers and farming enterprises take appropriate actions throughout the supply chain, maximizing profit and minimizing risks and environmental footprint in agri-food production.

Maria Lampridi, Theodora Angelopoulou, Aristotelis C. Tagarakis, Dionysis D. Bochtis

An Analysis of Safety and Health Issues in Agriculture Towards Work Automation

Abstract

Agriculture is a sector which employs a plethora of workers worldwide and has experienced a lot of technological advances that has improved the farmers’ standard of living to a great extent. Remarkably, however, it is still regarded to be among the most hazardous occupations. By their nature, the activities associated with agriculture are physically demanding, while farmers are usually exposed to adverse weather conditions and working environments. Although working conditions vary along the globe, the health problems stemmed from agriculture have reached alarming proportions. It has long been recognised that agricultural workers may suffer from noise-induced hearing loss, respiratory, cardiovascular and skin disorders, reproductive impairments, various types of cancers as well as heat and agrochemical related illnesses, to mention but a few. Furthermore, farmers exhibit a high incidence of musculoskeletal injuries, because of the fatigue they experience due to the nature of the activities that necessitate repetitive bending, kneeling, lifting and working with awkward body postures. Besides, the partial mechanisation of the sector has created new sources of dangers, such as whole body and hand arm transmitted vibration, which led to new syndromes that have caused concern. To meet these challenges, several control measures have been implemented for the protection of the farmers ranging from elimination and substitution of the hazard to engineering and administrative controls, with the personal protective equipment being the last solution. In this chapter, a comprehensive picture of the aforementioned hazards is given in conjunction with the health problems that can provoke and the ways for risk assessment as well as the control measures.

Lefteris Benos, Dionysis D. Bochtis

Agriculture Digital Transformation Around the World

Frontmatter

Smart Farming as a Game-Changer for Regional-Spatial Planning

Abstract

The present chapter deals with smart farming and its future development, related critical concerns and opportunities as well as possible strategy options for European policy-makers and planners. Firstly, an overview of the key challenges linked to the Agenda 2030 for smart farming is given. They include increasing total food availability and meeting higher quality standards in safety, environment, welfare, energy and climate change. Secondly, the effects of spatial planning on agri-food systems are considered together with current and future demanding tasks to support farm holdings in their digital revolution. Eventually, the gap, between regional spatial planning and global development strategies, that can shape the framework conditions compromising the evolution of smart farming, is addressed. Innovative farmers are investing on improving both the environmental and the social sustainability of their products. Their efforts deserve careful attention by spatial planning as well as land take needs to be limited. The case study in the chapter is particularly intended to exemplify a possible approach for decision makers and planners to meet these challenges.

Stella Agostini

Agriculture in Latin America: Recent Advances and Food Demands by 2050

Abstract

This chapter describes the current situation of agriculture in Latin America from the demographic point of view and the current demand for food. Climate change mitigation measures that are being implemented in this region of the world, as well as advances in research that contribute to the increase in agricultural production in Mexico and Latin America are discussed. Advances in ICT-based precision agriculture, studies of the productive potential of crops, phytosanitary alert systems, inspection and risk analysis of import/export agricultural products, and the quality of the seeds and beneficial microorganisms in agriculture, among others, have contributed to the increase in the volume of production in agriculture. The key issue here, is the balance between this increase and the food needs as they projected in the mid-turn future.

Jesús Soria-Ruiz, Yolanda M. Fernández-Ordoñez, Guillermo Medina-García, Juan A. Quijano-Carranza, Martha E. Ramírez-Guzmán, Liliana Aguilar-Marcelino, Leila M. Vazquez-Siller

The Development Opportunities of Agri-Food Farms with Digital Transformation

Abstract

New technologies have led to a digital transformation that enhances traditional processes of innovation and development on the one hand, and creates new forms of innovation in every segment of society on the other. In the agri-food sector, it plays a central role in addressing the critical factors of globalization and environmental impact. In Italy, the market growth potential of “Agriculture 4.0” solutions is very high, but there is a reduced adoption of the related technological innovations. “Agriculture 4.0” is the term used for “precision farming”, which through Internet of Things and Big Data, is able to provide and manage more information, in a more accurate and timely manner, allowing to automate production activities otherwise unrelated. Italian companies are increasingly aware of the opportunities offered by the 4.0 paradigm, but the existing cultural and technological limitations do not allow the full development of the phenomenon. The chapter aims to provide a picture of the perception that Italian agricultural operators have about the opportunities and limitations related to the adoption of intelligent agribusiness. The information acquired has been analyzed with multicriteria analysis and the results obtained represent a valid contribution to define possible future scenarios deriving from the implementation of digital transformation.

Alessandro Scuderi, Giuseppe Timpanaro, Luisa Sturiale, Giovanni La Via, Biagio Pecorino

Precision Agriculture’s Economic Benefits in Greece: An Exploratory Statistical Analysis

Abstract

As we are heading for the third decade of the twenty-first century, Precision Agriculture is the most modern way to improve agricultural processes/actions that take place on arable land, like harvesting, irrigation or fertilizer use. Its main idea is based on the concept that every farm has different needs across its area. So, Precision Agriculture offers the capability to customize decisions regarding inputs like water and optimize agricultural equipment use like an agricultural vehicle so as to improve outputs. As its use spreads across the globe, it is interesting to study the range of innovation diffusion on agriculture in Greece and see the differentiation of Greek districts, their innovative actions and economic outcomes that come up. To achieve this goal a study took place across Greece collecting 1032 answers from farmers on mainland Greece and Crete. The Ascending Hierarchy Clustering was used to process the data and the results demonstrated that some crop categories are more profitable than others and there are districts consisted of common characteristics. In addition, an innovation map was created, in conjunction with its benefits.

Athanasios Falaras, Stratos Moschidis

Diffusion of Agriculture Digital Transformation

Frontmatter

AI-Based Chatbot System Integration to a Social Media Platform for Controlling IoT Devices in Smart Agriculture Facilities

Abstract

The issue of establishing interaction methods among users, applications and systems involved in Smart Agriculture through interfaces which are simple and friendly in end-usage, is considered to be essential for achieving the maximum possible penetration of the IoT technologies in this sector, for the benefit of sustainability. Herewith, in this paper an attempt is made to encounter this issue through the involvement of intelligent conversational agents in controlling IoT devices applied to Smart Agriculture facilities, by introducing the idea of developing a chatbot system which is integrated to a messenger application of a popular social media platform in natural language environment. This solution is considered to provide an efficient, effective and user-friendly mean of interaction between the end-users and the IoT devices deployed in agriculture facilities.

Eleni Symeonaki, Konstantinos Arvanitis, Panagiotis Papageorgas, Dimitrios Piromalis

IT in Education: Developing an Online Course

Abstract

Adapting to the challenges posed by the new digital era, online teaching/learning can be generally characterized as an opportunity for higher education institutions towards the modernizations of their work by creating new channels that promote creative, entrepreneurial, and critical thinking skills of students. However, still many concerns arise with respect to discovering the most effective and efficient ways to deliver this form of instruction. In addition, for agricultural and biological engineering programs, additional issues emerge, which are related to the financial resource availability for initial investments and the disruptive nature of technology. Considering the above, the present chapter attempts to examine the incorporation of ICT technologies in education. Firstly, the components of the learning environment in online education are presented, followed by a description of the desired student behavior, namely the learning outcomes and objectives. Next follows an overview of learning theory by examining in brief the three most prominent learning theories along with passive and active learning, and the best practices to be followed. Additionally, the guidelines to creating a course for online delivery are presented followed by an overview of instructional design in contrast to curriculum design. The chapter concludes with a description of the flipped classroom concept which receives much attention lately along with tools that are available for online teaching.

Fedro S. Zazueta, Patrizia Busato, Remigio Berruto

Assisting DIY Agricultural Robots Towards Their First Real-World Missions

Abstract

During the last years, a plethora of technological advances have appeared, with a strong impact on people’s lives and works. In response to this dynamic, people getting involved with agricultural practices, like scientists, students and farmers, should become familiar with and able to exploit systems of cutting-edge characteristics. In this regard, this work reports on recent university laboratory efforts to design, implement, upgrade and test prototype do-it-yourself (DIY) agricultural robotic ground vehicles of convincing size, in a cost-effective manner, vehicles that will be capable for “real-world” missions. These efforts also aim to bridge the gap between native educational approaches and working commercial solutions and to lower the cost barriers. Two basic robotic variants, of diverse nature, are presented, one mainly for performing all-terrain soil-specific measurements and another for spraying over the crops. Both vehicles can be seen as “vanilla” platforms, customizable to support a rich set of light-duty agricultural field operations. The “core” of these robots consists of popular microcontrollers assisted by selected electronic components, like smart navigation and/or camera units. The “logic” of these robots has been developed using both visual and textual programming environments. The efficiency of the proposed robots has been evaluated via remote interaction scenarios carried out through Wi-Fi and LoRa radio interfaces, while the provision for solar panel assistance and for energy consumption measuring has also increased their functionality.

Dimitrios Loukatos, Konstantinos G. Arvanitis

Evaluation of Spray Coverage and Other Spraying Characteristics from Ground and Aerial Sprayers (Drones: UAVs) Used in a High-Density Planting Olive Grove in Greece

Abstract

The use of conventional ground spraying systems (tractor assisted or manual/backpack types) in tree spraying varies among farmers, depending on crop species grown, farm size, soil relief characteristics and machinery or man-labor available. Most farmers use their sprayers without any precise estimation of the coverage percent, uniformity, drifting and other important issues on spraying materials and safety regulations. The recent developments of aerial spraying, using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles–UAVs or Systems UASs (a.k.a. drones) offer unique new application capabilities. However, very limited information exist in spraying systems comparative studies. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the spraying characteristics of the most commonly used ground type sprayers, equipped with conventional and electrostatic nozzles and a spraying drone, for spraying in a high-density olive grove in Greece. Water Sensitive papers (WSP) and two scanning software (DepositScan and SnapCard) were used to quantify spraying coverage percent and other droplet characteristics. Amount of spray solution used and operation time along with spraying configuration, were also recorded for each trial. The results revealed significant differences among the used systems in spraying characteristics and also between the electrostatic and conventional nozzles. The quantities used by the conventional ground systems were up to 45 times more than the drones, while the operation time for ground systems was up to 6 times more than the drones. The findings supported the potential of spraying drones as a tool to increase spraying efficiency and precision of agrochemical applications. The main current limitation in EU for aerial application by drones remains the current legislation in EU which is expected to be updated and clarify the use in agricultural applications.

Athanasios Gertsis, Leonidas Karampekos

Predictive Model for Estimating the Impact of Technical Issues on Consumers Interaction in Agri-Logistics Websites

Abstract

Today’s evolving digital marketing tactics have brought about a considerable change in marketing strategies. As a consequence, it is a growing challenge to refine the approach used within logistics sites to appeal to potential customers. Marketers, designers and developers have to take into consideration all the complex and interconnected behavioral factors of users, in order to be more efficient in their decision-making process. Taking this into account, a three-stage methodological process has been developed by the authors in order to prognosticate and optimize the potential customers’ lead generation into these websites. Firstly, numerous web analytics have been extracted from different world-leading agri-logistics websites. Following the data gathering process, the authors used statistical analysis to examine the possible inter-correlations between the harvested web analytics metrics. The findings informed the creation of a Fuzzy Cognitive Map (FCM), as an essential step to build the predictive model. Finally, the authors created a process and agent-based simulation model which is based on the analysis of the predictive model structure. Numerous research topics within the agri-logistics industry are answered by the findings of this research which presents data and results that add to the necessity to prognosticate effective digital marketing strategies for complicated situations.

Damianos P. Sakas, Dimitrios P. Reklitis

Titel: Information and Communication Technologies for Agriculture—Theme IV: Actions
herausgegeben von: Dionysis D. Bochtis
Simon Pearson
Maria Lampridi
Vasso Marinoudi
Panos M. Pardalos
Verlag: Springer International Publishing
Electronic ISBN: 978-3-030-84156-0
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-84155-3
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-84156-0