KNOW4FARM was developed in response to the urgent need for transforming the European agricultural sector through digitalization and environmentally sustainable practices. Despite agriculture occupying nearly half of the EU land area and playing a critical role in its economy, the sector faces major challenges including climate change, biodiversity loss, and inefficient use of resources. Precision Agriculture (PA) offers innovative solutions to these challenges, enabling farmers to increase yields, optimize input use, and reduce environmental impact. However, many agricultural professionals and VET educators still lack the digital skills and technical knowledge required to implement these technologies effectively. KNOW4FARM was designed to address this gap by enhancing the digital competencies of VET professionals and promoting the integration of PA into vocational training.

PROJECT PROGRAMME
KNOW4FARM was funded under the Erasmus+ Programme, Key Action 2: Small-scale Partnerships in Vocational Education and Training (KA210-VET), within the 2023 call. The project was coordinated by Smart Agro Hub (Greece), with partners from Türkiye (İnovasyon Girişimcilik Eğitim ve Araştırma Derneği - IGEA) and Belgium (Sustainable Development Studies Network - SDSN). The project ran for 15 months, from October 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024, with a total grant of €60,000.

PROJECT AIM
The aim of KNOW4FARM was to support the green and digital transition in agriculture by equipping VET professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to implement Precision Agriculture technologies. The project aimed to align agricultural VET with the evolving needs of the sector, contributing to EU policies such as the Farm to Fork Strategy, the Common Agricultural Policy, and the European Green Deal.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES
The project sought to develop the digital competencies of at least 45 VET trainers and educators through interactive, practice-based learning. It aimed to ensure that VET programs are aligned with the specific needs of the agricultural sector and to integrate digital tools and PA applications into agricultural VET curricula. Another objective was to create opportunities for knowledge exchange and skills development through joint field visits and workshops. Additionally, the project aimed to foster professional networks among municipalities, stakeholders, and VET institutions to support the digitalization of rural communities and enhance their resilience and economic stability.

PROJECT TARGET GROUP
The primary target group included agricultural and environmental staff members, VET trainers and educators, counselors, and representatives of local municipalities supporting VET institutions. The secondary target group comprised farmers, agricultural engineers, private and municipal companies related to agriculture and digitalization, environmental foundations, rural development agents, stakeholders, and agricultural equipment suppliers. Through a cascading approach, trained VET professionals would further transfer the acquired knowledge and skills to these broader target groups.

PROJECT ACTIVITIES
KNOW4FARM implemented a series of interconnected activities designed to provide both theoretical and practical training. A comprehensive Digital Handbook on Precision Agriculture was developed, offering up-to-date knowledge, best practices, and multimedia resources. This was followed by Interactive Webinar Sessions, conducted locally in each partner country, which provided hands-on insights into the latest PA technologies and their practical applications. The project also organized Workshops and Field Visits in Greece, enabling participants to experience cutting-edge technologies in real agricultural settings and gain practical competences. In addition to training activities, the project included robust management, dissemination, and impact assessment components to ensure quality and sustainability.

For more information about this project, please visit the project website at https://know4farm.eu/