Curricula on smart greenhouses in the framework of the NEGHTRA project

Abstract

Next Generation Training on Intelligent Greenhouses (NEGHTRA) is a specialized training project that addresses knowledge transfer in precision agriculture based on specific needs and challenges. However, competition with new production areas threatens the profitability of farms and forces the rethinking of production strategies. This situation may be aggravated by the growing uncertainty in the markets. In addition, the intensive agriculture sector is considered by society as one of the main causes of, as well as the most affected by, climate change. Specifically, greenhouse growers must rethink their production strategy to promote sustainable production, with special emphasis on the use of new materials and technologies to improve the climate, irrigation, and fertigation, and reduce inputs and waste, the use of renewable energies, and the circular economy. The digitization of agriculture aims to improve and / or simplify all the processes included in the productive activity (data collection, communication and storage of information, analysis and interpretation of data, evaluation or diagnosis of the state of the crop, preparation of recommendations, decision-making and action). Finally, it is necessary to develop capacities that favour innovation and entrepreneurship to strengthen the sector and promote the resilience of this farms. NEGHTRA has the following target groups a) Higher Education Institutions and Research Institutions, which will update the training curricula portfolio, b) agricultural intermediaries that provide counselling and training to the farming communities, and c) the farming community. In this work, we present the curriculums that can be used to provide the necessary capacities to improve the sustainability of production, promote the resilience of farms, increase the efficiency of crops, and contribute to improving the social recognition of growers.