As part of the Farmtopia project, the second Open Day was organised by NEUROPUBLIC and the Agricultural Cooperative of Organic Products Producers of Chania (BIOCOOP) on 30 June 2026 in Vatolakkos, Chania, Crete, Greece. The event focused on the application of digital farming solutions in organic avocado cultivation and provided an opportunity to present the activities and progress of the Sustainable Innovation Pilot (SIP1) implemented in the Chania region.
The Open Day aimed to raise awareness among farmers and other relevant stakeholders about the potential of digital farming technologies to improve the productivity, sustainability and resilience of small and medium-sized agricultural holdings. Particular emphasis was placed on the use of the gaiasense smart farming system to support more efficient irrigation and fertilisation practices in organic avocado production.
The event combined presentations and discussion with a practical field demonstration, allowing participants to learn about the Farmtopia project and the SIP1 pilot while also seeing the digital farming technology in operation under real farming conditions.
Objectives of the Open Day
The main objectives of the Open Day were to:
– Present the Farmtopia project and its contribution to the digital transformation of agriculture.
– Introduce the SIP1 pilot and its application in organic avocado cultivation in the Chania region.
– Discuss the main challenges and development opportunities associated with organic avocado production.
-Present the potential of digital farming solutions to support more efficient and sustainable agricultural practices.
– Demonstrate the gaiasense smart farming system and its application to irrigation and fertilisation management.
– Share the results and experiences emerging from the pilot implementation.
– Discuss the potential economic and environmental benefits of digital transformation for farmers.
– Facilitate interaction between farmers, agricultural stakeholders and technology providers around the practical application of digital farming solutions.
Event Programme and Activities
The Open Day took place at the offices of BIOCOOP in Vatolakkos, Chania, followed by a visit to an experimental field belonging to the Cooperative.
During the first part of the event, participants were introduced to the Farmtopia project and its overall objectives. The presentation highlighted the project’s approach to supporting small and medium-sized farms through accessible, user-oriented and sustainable digital technologies.
The SIP1 pilot was then presented, with a focus on the application of digital farming technologies to organic avocado production. The discussion addressed the specific challenges faced by avocado producers and the potential for digital tools to provide farmers with more accurate and timely information to support decision-making. Particular attention was given to the gaiasense smart farming system. The system’s capabilities for supporting irrigation and fertilisation management were presented, with emphasis on how data collected from the farm environment can be used to improve the efficiency of agricultural practices.
The programme also included a discussion of the results obtained through the pilot implementation and the wider economic and environmental benefits associated with the adoption of digital farming solutions.
Practical Field Demonstration
A key component of the Open Day was the field visit to an experimental plot operated by the Cooperative. An agricultural weather station of the gaiasense system has been installed at the site as part of the pilot activities.
During the field demonstration, participants were able to see the station and receive an explanation of how it collects and provides information relevant to crop management. The demonstration helped connect the theoretical information presented during the first part of the event with its practical application in an actual avocado production environment.
The field visit also provided an opportunity to discuss the results of the pilot directly in the context in which the technology is being applied and to exchange views on the practical usefulness of digital farming tools for organic avocado producers.
Stakeholder Engagement
The Open Day provided a platform for interaction between agricultural producers and other stakeholders interested in the digital transformation of farming. Through the presentations, discussions and field demonstration, participants had the opportunity to learn how digital technologies can be adapted to the specific needs and conditions of organic avocado cultivation.
The event also supported the Farmtopia approach of involving end users in the development, application and evaluation of digital farming solutions. By presenting the technology in an operational farming environment, the Open Day encouraged discussion around the usability, relevance and potential benefits of such solutions from a farmer-oriented perspective.
Key Messages and Outcomes
The Open Day highlighted the potential of digital farming technologies to contribute to more sustainable and efficient organic avocado production. In particular, the SIP1 pilot demonstrated how farm-level data and smart farming technologies can support farmers in making better-informed decisions regarding irrigation and fertilisation.
The practical demonstration of the gaiasense weather station was particularly important in showing how digital farming solutions can be applied under real agricultural conditions rather than remaining limited to a theoretical or technological context.
The event also contributed to increasing awareness of the Farmtopia project and its wider objective of making advanced digital farming technologies more accessible to small and medium-sized agricultural holdings. The combination of presentations, discussion and field demonstration created an opportunity for stakeholders to exchange experiences and consider the relevance of such technologies for their own farming practices.
Contribution to Farmtopia Objectives
The SIP1 Open Day contributed directly to the Farmtopia objectives by demonstrating a user-oriented digital farming solution in a real-world agricultural setting. The event supported knowledge exchange and stakeholder engagement while providing visibility to the pilot activities and their potential benefits.
In particular, the event contributed to:
– Awareness raising: increasing awareness of digital farming technologies and their potential applications in organic avocado production.
– Knowledge transfer: sharing information on smart farming, data-driven decision-making, irrigation and fertilisation management.
– Stakeholder engagement: creating a direct interaction between farmers, agricultural stakeholders and technology providers.
– Demonstration: showcasing the gaiasense technology in an operational field environment.
– Validation and feedback: providing an opportunity to discuss the practical relevance and usability of the solution with end users.
– Sustainability: highlighting the potential of digital tools to support more efficient use of agricultural inputs and resources.
Conclusion
The SIP1 Open Day in Chania demonstrated the potential of digital farming solutions to support the transition towards more efficient, sustainable and resilient organic avocado production. By combining project presentations, stakeholder discussion and a practical field demonstration, the event provided participants with both an overview of the Farmtopia approach and a concrete example of how smart farming technologies can be applied at farm level.
The demonstration of the gaiasense system and the discussion of the pilot experience provided an important basis for further engagement with farmers and other stakeholders and contributed to the wider Farmtopia objective of promoting accessible, practical and user-centred digital solutions for small and medium-sized farms.