A new era for sustainable farming systems for Greece, based on convergence of smart farming, agricultural robotics and geospatial technologies

Abstract

Safety and quality of agricultural products with better management and conservation of natural resources has become a significant issue worldwide and it constantly raises awareness in Greece, especially within the last decade. Latest advancements of the evolving agricultural sector towards applications of Precision Agriculture and Smart/Digital Farming and the “greening” of the agriculture based on the latest directives of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the European Union (EU) for the current and the upcoming period (>2022) and the Green Deal, constitute a rigid framework of promising future opportunities and transformations. Additionally, new and emerging cultivation practices, like soilless farming (e.g., Hydroponics, Aquaponics, Aeroponics, vertical agriculture) and intensive, Integrated Agriculture and minimum tillage cropping systems, constitute high-tech solutions of production in Greece. However, as they require significant agrochemical inputs, high energy consumption vehicles and expensive infrastructures, they keep on polluting and exhausting the natural resources. An alternative, sustainable solution, based in latest technological advancements, is urgently needed. In this chapter, an approach is presented for the convergence of Smart Farming, Agricultural Robotics with Geospatial Technologies, providing solutions of their efficient collaboration towards farming practices. Focus will be given to the accumulated promises and opportunities which arise and they may constitute a new, innovative, and sustainable model of agriculture for Greece.