Šmarje
Smart Villages Initiative supporting olive oil and wine production through digital technologies
Description
Šmarje, a coastal village in Slovenia, is highly reliant on the port of Koper for access to services in support of its olive growing and winemaking operations, but faces such challenges as limited jobs, brain drain and poor internet access. This Smart Village, under the Smart Rural 27 initiative, was the first in the region to develop its own digitalization strategy, with initial focus on enhancing the internet access of the rural community through the creation of a network of wi-fi access points in the village. As part of their digital transformation, they established the Divina Wine Hub as a rural Digital Innovation platform, and the SmartAgroGrape digital platform for winegrowers in an attempt to reduce the burden of agriculture on the environment.
Technology
The digital initiatives launched for Šmarje Smart Village include improved internet access through the creation of wi-fi hotspots and the provision of digital services. For example, the Divina Wine Hub (https://www.facebook.com/divinawinehub/) offers virtual wine tastings, and serves as a platform through which young winemakers can increase their business opportunities. Furthermore, a digital platform (https://ltfe.org/reference/smart-agro-grape/; https://smartagrogrape.si/ - page-top) has been launched under the SmartAgroGrape project where winegrowers can access relevant sensor data (for example, on humidity, electrical conduction, temperatures and evapotranspiration) and Internet of things (IoT) networks, as an advanced digital platform that supports winegrowers in becoming more efficient and in reducing potential environmental impacts. Under the Smart Rural 27 initiative, two digital tools have been developed in support of vineyard management: 1) a cloud-based platform for the collection, processing, and dissemination of data; and 2) a web interface providing access to key information and forecasts into which farmers can input their own field data from computers, tablets or smartphones.
Target
The main targets of the initiative are the young winemakers in the Istria region, the local authority of Šmarje and the Laboratory of Telecommunications of the University of Ljubljana (LTFE). Other target groups include the local organizations, associations, consortiums, farms and companies engaged in wine production, all of which contribute to Istria’s promotion as a wine tourism destination.
Impact
Through SmartAgroGrape, around ten farms have taken part in training programmes and have transferred their own knowledge to the project stakeholders. Young winegrowers and winemakers make use of the available digital tools to optimize their vineyard management and to promote and sell their products. The attractiveness of the rural area as a place to live and work has been increased by the new forms of stakeholder involvement, bringing together policymakers, businesses, academia and civil society.
Partners
Laboratory of Telecommunications of the University of Ljubljana (LTFE); European Commission
Four Betters
Better production
Better environment
