MODEM_IVM

A web-based system for real-time Monitoring and Decision Making for Integrated Vineyard Management

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The aim of the MoDeM_IVM project is to develop a new, interactive, web-based Decision Support System (DSS) for integrated management of the vineyard. The SME participants are strongly confident that the project results will improve their competitiveness in a very important and highly profitable market (i.e., grapevine in EU27), because of: i) the DSS is highly innovative and focused to solve practical problems; ii) end-users will draw clear economic and environmental advantages; iii) the EU policies will determine a huge increase of the Internet use in agricultural areas in coming years. The project has 8 partners (3 SMEs and 5 RTD performers) settled in four EU countries; other countries and end-users are involved in some project activities. The project has 8 Work Packages. RTD is mainly in charge to RTD performers but involves also the SMEs. Research is mainly addressed to: i) develop and integrate in a single system automatic sensors and hand-held devices for monitoring all the vineyard components (WP1); ii) develop mathematical models for the key aspects of the vineyard management (WP2); iii) define the best options for managing the vineyard according to the Integrated Production and bring these options into practical guidelines (WP2); iv) optimise decision making based on a cost-benefit analysis that also considers environmental impacts (WP3); v) develop the web-based DSS that: receives real-time input data from the vineyard; uses data for calculating optimised decision supports; shows the decision supports in a clear way (WP4). Dissemination activities (WP5) will be targeted to end users (validation of the DSS in commercial vineyards and seminars), and to the scientific world (international congress, publications and a web-site). Training for the SME staff is aimed at facilitating the take up of results (WP6). Management of the project activities, knowledge, IPR and exploitation of the results by the SMEs have a specific WP (WP7).'

Introduzione (Teaser)

A new decision support system (DSS) for vineyard managers is helping with decision making, leading to improved production and a cleaner environment.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Modern agriculture is increasingly competitive and technical; furthermore, in Europe, the use of chemicals is highly regulated. For viniculturists, making decisions has never been more difficult. DSSs would help, although in practice, they have typically had low acceptance in agriculture.

A new DSS for vineyard management developed by the EU-funded project 'A web-based system for real-time monitoring and decision making for integrated vineyard management' http://www.modem-ivm.eu ((MODEM_IVM)) offers solutions. The project involved eight partners from four EU countries, including research organisations and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It ran from January 2011 to December 2012.

MODEM_IVM developed a prototype DSS for vineyard management, aimed at helping managers reach the best decisions and to plan actions. This DSS addresses classic failings of other such systems. It provides a holistic vision, collecting data and advising about all aspects of vineyard management. It would be set up specifically for one vineyard or group of vineyards, interactively using location-specific information.

The system depends on key components, each developed as part of project goals. The most important is a wireless sensor network (WSN) for monitoring the vineyard's climatic and environmental conditions, and optional hand-held devices facilitate the assessment of individual plants. Other components include web-based software tools that collate and analyse the data according to mathematical models developed by the project. These provide the ultimate output: decision recommendations, alerts and estimates of pending yield. This is delivered via a user-friendly web portal.

Project partners tested the WSN at three European locations. The collected weather data successfully fed into the mathematical models and led to their refinement. The project also developed and tested software for the hand-held devices, data from which were integrated into the DSS.

MODEM_IVM's DSS will benefit the profitable market of European grape growers. Not only will the project result in increased competitiveness for European SMEs, it will also have significant environmental benefits. Using the system, growers will be better able to manage resources, to use less pesticide overall and to justify their use when necessary, and generally minimise environmental impacts. The DSS may also help improve the quality of the grape products.