The Erythropotamos ginning plants received a popular service offered by the Institute of Bio-Economy and Agro-Technology within the framework of #DigiAgrifood, the first European Digital Innovation Hub in the Hellenic Agri-Food Sector. The service concerns the application of fertilizer in variable doses (VRA – Variable rate application) as part of applying Precision Agriculture methods and was implemented in commercial cotton fields in Neohori, Orestiada.

This particular service helps farmers taking an important step towards the digitization and automation of agricultural practices. The system analyses remote sensing data maps the field variability and calculates in real time the amount of fertilizer to apply at each point. The farmer loads the digital file with the prescription map to the control panel in the tractor and simply drives into the field while the variable rate fertilization system takes over the application.

The service covers the farmers’ needs for better fertilization management, fertilizer savings which in turns, lead to reduced fertilization cost. According to the producer, the application was fast, easy and efficient. Apart from the fertilizer savings, which was the direct benefit noticed by the producer, this service has also indirect benefits. Since the appropriate amount is applied to each part of the field, the application efficiency is maximized. This fact leads to a reduction of nutrient losses to the environment, minimizing the environmental footprint of the specific agricultural application.

If you want to know more information about this service, click here.