SmartVitiNet at Climate Change Week Milan: Empowering Future-Ready Skills for a Climate-Resilient Agriculture

On Friday, October 24, 2025, SmartVitiNet’s project manager Thanos Arvanitidis from Future Needs took the stage during Climate Change Week in Milan, presenting his paper “Bridging Skills for Drone-enabled Smart Farming Competence Needs for a Climate-resilient Future.”

🌾 Thanos’ talk highlighted how education and upskilling can prepare the agricultural workforce for the future. By developing competence toolsets in drone and digital technologies, his presentation explores how innovation in precision agriculture can accelerate the green and digital transition, helping farmers tackle the challenges of climate change while improving sustainability and productivity.

If you missed his talk in the Climate Change Week in Milan, check out the SmartVitiNet’s Competence Centre:

About the SmartVitiNet Competence Centre

At the heart of this mission lies the SmartVitiNet Competence Centre for Precision Viticulture, a collaborative hub connecting experts, researchers, and technology providers dedicated to advancing sustainable viticulture through innovation.

The Centre promotes the use of drones, sensors, and digital platforms to optimise vineyard management, reduce production costs, and enhance environmental sustainability. Through its online platform, users can access training materials, practical guides, and expert consultancy services that support the transition to smarter, more data-driven viticulture.

Here’s a glimpse of what the Competence Centre offers:

🍇 Common Problems and Smart Technologies in Viticulture (by Agricultural University of Athens) An overview of the current challenges vineyards face — and how technology can offer practical solutions.

📷 Cameras, Lenses, and Sensors (by Hellenic Drones S.A.) A deep dive into the imaging tools that make aerial vineyard monitoring possible.

🚁 Practical Guide to Using Drones in Viticulture (by Iscte – Instituto Universitário de Lisboa) Step-by-step guidance on how to integrate drones into daily vineyard operations.

🛰️ Data Processing and the SmartVitiNet Portal (by WaltR) Learn how to interpret and visualise vineyard data through SmartVitiNet’s digital tools.

💶 Funding Opportunities (by Future Needs) Discover pathways to financing innovative ideas in precision agriculture.

Beyond training, users can also access personalised consultancy sessions, monitor crop health and water stress via a Decision Support System, and explore a policy and research library featuring the latest developments in smart agriculture.

Check out the Competence Centre now!

Sign Up Now!

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