Primary Agroindustry

Promoting the development of digital technologies aimed at improving the sustainability of agricultural production for industrial transformation

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Agroindustria primaria

Promuove lo sviluppo di tecnologie digitali volte a migliorare la sostenibilità delle produzioni agricole per la trasformazione industriale.

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Spoke 6 Primary Agroindustry

Spoke 6 actively fosters the sustainable development of agricultural territories by leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as sensing devices, advanced mapping systems, data collection, and processing methods.

 

The Spoke is coordinated by the University of Pavia and involves collaboration with public research institutions and local entities. Together, they work towards the sustainable development of agricultural territories through the implementation of digital innovation systems.

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News

News
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The DEMETRA Project Presented at the EIMA 2024 International Fair
The DEMETRA academic POC, a system designed to train agricultural operators in a virtual reality environment, was presented at the EIMA 2024 international fair at the stand of Pellenc Italia. Pellenc, a partner company, provided the 3D model of the pruning shears used in the simulation.   During the event, visitors were able to test a demo of the immersive platform, discovering its potential to revolutionise training in the agro-industrial sector. The activity facilitated discussions with industry specialists, allowing the collection of valuable feedback for improving the technology and initiating new contacts with companies interested in implementing the system for their business.   Coordinated by Prof. Carnevale of the University of Pavia, the DEMETRA project aims to implement simulation and training solutions in the primary agro-industrial sector. These solutions overcome the temporal limitations typical of agriculture—such as seasons, day-night cycles, and weather conditions—freeing agricultural learning processes from seasonal dependency.

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Call for abstracts: Soil management practices and land degradation in vineyards (EGU 2025)
As part of the General Assembly of the European Geosciences Union (EGU), which will take place in Vienna from 27 April to 2 May 2025, abstracts are now being accepted for the session titled “Soil Management Practices and Land Degradation in Vineyards.” This session, aligned with the flagship VINO project, focuses on the impact of agricultural practices on soil degradation in hillside vineyards, addressing key issues such as erosion, shallow landslides, soil compaction, and organic matter loss. Advanced technologies, including remote sensing, field and laboratory measurements, predictive modelling, and mitigation strategies, will be presented to monitor and tackle these challenges. The session aims to foster dialogue among experts on innovative and traditional approaches to sustainable soil management. Contributions are invited on the following topics:   Remote sensing techniques and field measurements to monitor the effects of agricultural practices on soil; Implementation, parameterisation, and uncertainty management in predictive models; Simulation of the effects of climate change and soil management practices; Innovative mitigation measures to support farmers and policymakers in combating soil degradation and promoting sustainability.   This initiative seeks to integrate science, technology, and agricultural practices to develop effective and sustainable strategies for hillside vineyards.   The call for abstracts is open until 15 January 2025. Further information is available at: Session SSS9.7.   Conveners: Claudia Meisina, Jantiene Baartman, Mihai Niculita, Alessia Giarola  

News
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"Incontri con la Scienza": Prof. Graziano Rossi discusses the VINO Project on Corriere TV
During the Incontri con la Scienza event, organised by Fondazione LGH in collaboration with Corriere della Sera, Prof. Graziano Rossi presented the PNRR NODES VINO project, focusing on adapting agricultural crops to climate change. He emphasised the critical role of agricultural innovation in supporting biodiversity and fostering crop resilience amidst resource constraints, highlighting its strategic importance in tackling environmental and climatic challenges.   The Incontri con la Scienza series promotes dialogue on scientific innovation and sustainability. The Pavia event on 8 November 2024, held at Collegio Borromeo, featured discussions on technology, renewable energy, and climate change.   Rossi's talk can be viewed from 1:05 here.

News
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Pavia researchers from Spoke 6 engage with the University of Aachen delegation to discuss innovation in the primary agro-industrial sector.
On October 29th, a delegation from the University of Aachen and the BioeconomyREVIER cluster visited Pavia as part of the NODES project, strengthening collaboration between European academic and research institutions. Researchers from Spoke 6 participated in discussions on sustainable energy, innovative biosensors, and agricultural strategies.   Norma Anglani from the Department of Industrial and Information Engineering presented on developing agricultural energy hubs, focusing on microgrids to optimize energy consumption in farms, as part of the RM1 project under the flagship initiative "Formidabile." Lorenzo Pasotti and Michele Conti from the Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture showcased biosensors engineered from living materials using 3D bioprinting, useful for monitoring agro-industrial processes.  Graziano Rossi from the Department of Earth Sciences and Environment discussed vineyard management strategies in the face of climate change, suggesting alternative crops like olives and hazelnuts. The delegation also visited the Germplasm Bank at the Botanical Garden, guided by Francesco Ferrari, to explore genetic resource conservation. In the afternoon, Pietro Galinetto and Maddelena Patrini from the Department of Physics introduced advanced optical sensing methods for vineyard management. Daniela Rossi presented techniques for extracting biologically active compounds from viticultural waste, with applications in sectors such as medicine and cosmetics.   The meeting reinforced dialogue between Pavia and Aachen, highlighting the importance of innovative solutions for sustainability in the primary agro-industrial sector.

Boost your competence

6. Primary agroindustry
NODES Academy: Primary Agroindustry - 1st Edition
Course holder
ComoNExT – Elena Zaffaroni, Sara Lucca, Marina Fabre Morales, Elisa Alemagna
Entrepreneurship
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6. Primary agroindustry
Agritech Training: Precision Viticulture
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Prof. Hermes Giberti, University of Pavia
Upskilling
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6. Primary agroindustry
Innovation in dairy sector: Quality, Safety, and Sustainability
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Dr. Margherita Dall'Asta and Dr. Paolo Bellassi, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
Upskilling
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Eventi

Incontri
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Students Challenges NODES Spoke 6 – Un’opportunità per le PMI del territorio
Spoke 6 invita le PMI dell’agroindustria primaria a proporre sfide di marketing agli studenti del corso Advanced Digital Marketing dell’Università di Pavia. L’obiettivo è sviluppare piani di marketing digitale innovativi per valorizzare la qualità e l’autenticità dei prodotti locali, migliorando la consapevolezza e l’engagement del consumatore sia a livello italiano che internazionale.   Le Students Challenges da un lato, offrono agli studenti la possibilità di interagire con il mondo aziendale, gli enti pubblici, le associazioni e gli enti del terzo settore dei territori del progetto NODES attraverso il metodo “learning by doing” e, dall’altro, forniscono un’occasione alle aziende e gli altri soggetti proponenti di incontrare giovani talenti e scoprire soluzioni innovative applicabili all’interno delle loro realtà.   Agenda dell’evento 17:00 Benvenuto e introduzione al bando Students Challenges 2025   Prof. Hermes Giberti, PM NODES SPOKE 6 Dott.ssa Elisa Conz, docente del corso “Advanced Digital Marketing”   17:15 Premiazione Students Challenges 2024   Challenge proposta da Calatroni Vini: Finalisti, vincitore e presentazione del gruppo vincitore Challenge proposta da Api dei Monti: Finalisti, vincitore e presentazione del gruppo vincitore Challenge proposta da Rossetti e Scrivani: Finalisti, vincitore e presentazione del gruppo vincitore   18:15 aperitivo   Data e luogo:   Giovedì 16 Gennaio 2025 ore 17:00 - presso Aula Disegno - Università degli Studi di Pavia (Piazza Leonardo Da Vinci, 5)   Un’occasione unica per scoprire come le PMI del territorio possono beneficiare delle Students Challenges di Spoke 6!   Iscriviti qui!          

Workshop
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ROADSHOW MEZZOGIORNO: Sustainability and Digitalisation in the Agro-Industry
The highly anticipated event "Sustainability and Digitalisation in the Agro-Industry" will take place on 24th October at the Gran Torre Hotel in Oristano, as part of the Roadshow Mezzogiorno initiative. During the day, Alberto S. Atzori from the Department of Agriculture at the University of Sassari will present the flagship project "Formidablae" for digital innovation in the agro-zoothec industry, while Giorgio Todde will discuss the importance of digitalisation for the advancement of the primary sector. Following this, Ing. Lucia Marazzi, Deputy Project Manager of NODES and Head of the Technology Transfer Office at the University of Pavia, will present the cascading calls of the Mezzogiorno Line. The central moment of the event will be a B2B roundtable, moderated by Nadia Bertolino, Communication and Dissemination Manager of Spoke 6, during which innovative projects funded by the cascading calls from Spokes 6 and 7 will be discussed. Companies such as Drop s.r.l. with the DAIRY LIFE PRO project, C.A.O. Formaggi with DIGICAO, Agrigeos s.r.l. with SPIDAP, Primo Principio s.c.a.r.l. with GAINS, Agricolus s.r.l. with CEBUS, and Studio-A Automazione s.r.l. with the MICENE project will present their advancements, highlighting how new technologies and sustainable practices are revolutionising the agro-industrial sector in the Mezzogiorno. This meeting will represent an important opportunity to explore the progress of projects and foster collaboration between businesses, universities, and stakeholders, opening up new opportunities for synergies in the field of agro-industrial innovation and sustainability.

Conferences
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G7 Agricolture: “RESPONSIBLE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION OF FOOD FROM FARM TO FORK: TECH, POLICY, BEHAVIOUR, EDUCATION”
On the occasion of the G7 Agriculture summit, to be held in Syracuse between the 21st and 29th of September 2024, the University of Pavia is organising a side event accredited by the Ministry of Agriculture, entitled "Responsible Production and Consumption from Field to Table: Technology, Policies, Behaviours, and Education", as part of the "Divinazione EXPO24" initiatives.   The event, organised and coordinated by Carola Ricci, Aldo Piccone, and Anna Facchinetti from the Department of Political and Social Sciences, aims to present some scientific insights and best practices developed around three of the key points agreed upon by the G7 Agriculture Ministers at the summit held in Miyazaki, Japan, on 22-23 April 2023.   The meeting will take place on 26th September, starting at 3:00 PM in Syracuse, Ortigia Island, at the National Institute of Ancient Drama.   Some of the interim results of the research and synergies developed by the University of Pavia and its affiliated partners within two PNRR projects funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU, will be presented. These include the extended partnership project 'ONFOODS' (Research and Innovation Network on Food and Nutrition Sustainability, Safety, and Security), Spoke 7, and the innovation ecosystem project 'NODES' (North-West Digital and Sustainable), Spoke 6.   The event is structured around three thematic modules: I. Environmental sustainability and innovation: Goals and tools needed to mitigate water stress in agriculture. II. Prevention and reduction of food waste from field to table: In search of a common definition. III. Responsible food production and consumption without discrimination: Traditions, culture, and art in service of vulnerable groups.   In addition to the researchers from Pavia promoting the event, research conducted within Spoke 6 will be presented by Dr. Valentina Vaglia from the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, who will address the topic of climate change mitigation against water stress and soil erosion in viticulture, and by Dr. Nadia Bertolino from the Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, who will present her research on water landscapes in the Pavia region.

Meeting
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NODES Training for Agro-Industry Companies
On June 6 at 5:00 PM, at the Fondazione Riccagioia, the University of Pavia will present its 2024/2025 courses for personnel working in the agro-industry, offered as part of the NODES Spoke 6 "Primary Agro-Industry" project.During the event, Professor Hermes Giberti will introduce the training pathways for companies provided by the University of Pavia, followed by Professor Daniela Rossi, who will present the course "Plant Extracts and Health," which took place in February 2024. The following three courses, offered by the University of Pavia in collaboration with the Fondazione Riccagioia, will also be presented: "Agritech Training: Precision Viticulture" (July 2024): This course will provide participants with specialized knowledge to monitor and manage vineyards accurately using advanced technologies, optimizing resource use, improving harvest quality, and reducing waste. "Technologies for Sustainability" (September 2024): Participants will acquire skills in the use of remote sensing data, geospatial analysis, and other innovative solutions to optimize land management, improve crop quality, and reduce environmental impacts. "Satellite Farmer" (February 2025): This course will support farmers in large-scale crop monitoring and timely identification of issues such as water stress, plant diseases, and nutrient deficiencies through the use of detailed geospatial data and high-resolution satellite images. Speakers will include a representative group of instructors from IBF, TIM, and Bayer. Following this, Professor Graziano Rossi's team will present the course "Frontier Olive Growing and Other Alternative Herbaceous Crops in Non-Mediterranean Climate Areas," starting in October 2024, and will guide a visit to the alternative crops planted at the Riccagioia estate as part of the flagship project VINO.   A refreshment will follow.   Please kindly register by Wednesday, May 29, at this link.