Smart Growers

General introduction

The SmartGrowers project aims at the implementation of Smart Farming and a more sustainable agriculture and horticulture, specifically in the border region between Belgium and the Netherlands. Farmers and growers collaborate with high-tech companies on both sides of the border. The investigated applications are relevant for three main crops in the Belgian-Dutch border region: ornamental horticulture (with in particular outdoor tree cultivation), vegetables (with a strong focus on asparagus) and fruit (with a focus on blueberries).

Research approach

In a first application, we aim to control weeds in a more sustainable way. A second focus involves using water more efficiently by intelligent control of irrigation systems. As a third case, we will investigate the added value of remote sensing techniques for early detection of problems in the field, using camera images taken from above and from the side of the crop.

Relevance/Valorisation

This project is now finished. Seven partners from Flanders and the Netherlands worked togetherintensively  on Smart Farming for three smaller crops that play an important role within the Belgian-Dutch border region: asparagus, blueberry and avenue trees. Together, great results have been achieved around intelligently controlling irrigation, targeted alternative weed control and remote sensing. More extensive results can be found at smartgrowers.eu under 'newsletters' (newsletter 9).  

Funding provider(s)
Interreg Vlaanderen Nederland

External partner(s)
PCFruit - Proefcentrum Fruitteelt
PCS - Proefcentrum voor de Sierteelt
PSKW - Proefstation voor de groententeelt Sint-Katelijn-Waver