For olive growers, decisions about spraying, harvesting and crop protection often depend on a combination of weather conditions, field observations and years of farming experience. At the same time, producers face increasing demands for traceability, accurate records and evidence that agricultural products meet safety requirements. Digital tools could help bring these different needs together- but only if they are simple, affordable and suited to everyday farm realities.
These issues were at the heart of the Farmtopia SIP13 SafeOlive Open Day, held on 21 June 2026 in Corinth, Greece, at the Kontogiannis family winery. Hosted by EMBIO Diagnostics Ltd, the event brought together 18 participants, including farmers, farm advisors, cooperatives, technology companies and a policymaker, to explore how SafeOlive can support olive producers through digital decision support and rapid pesticide-residue testing.
Bringing digital solutions to the olive grove
The Open Day introduced participants to the different elements of the SafeOlive solution, including weather forecasting, Earth Observation, pest management services and the digital farm calendar.
The event also presented the B.EL.D™ rapid testing device, designed to support faster pesticide-residue testing, alongside the SafeOlive mobile application and its decision-support functions. For many participants, digital tools were already part of their daily lives to some extent. Weather forecast applications were commonly used, while some farmers relied on spreadsheets or paper records to keep track of farm activities. However, these tools were generally not integrated into wider farm management.
Decisions about spraying, in particular, often continued to be based on personal experience. Some older farmers explained that they were confident in knowing when to spray based on their own knowledge and were therefore less inclined to rely on an application.
The Open Day provided an opportunity to explore how digital information could complement and not necessarily replace that experience.
From experience to informed decisions
Participants responded positively to the SafeOlive application, particularly because it focuses on providing simple outputs and practical recommendations rather than complex datasets.
Weather-based information for spraying, olive fruit fly risk advisories and harvest-timing support were among the features discussed. The farm calendar also attracted considerable interest, as it allows farmers to keep records of activities such as spraying, harvesting and inspections digitally in one place. This could be particularly useful for farms that currently rely on paper records. Digital records can make information easier to retrieve when it is needed for inspections, certification or export-related documentation.
Participants emphasised, however, that recommendations need to be clear. Farmers should not simply receive data or a warning; the system should explain what it means and what action might be considered.
Making pesticide testing more accessible
Another major focus of the event was the B.EL.D™ rapid pesticide-residue testing concept.
Olive oil producers explained that conventional laboratory testing can be expensive and time-consuming, particularly when they receive small quantities of olives from individual farmers. As a result, testing may not be practical for smaller batches.
The possibility of having a faster and more affordable testing alternative generated strong interest among participants. One participant expressed a willingness to begin using the B.EL.D™ device and continue evaluating its results during the next harvesting period.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of considering potential contamination from pesticide drift from neighbouring fields. Participants suggested that testing should not be limited only to substances officially used in olive cultivation,but could also consider other pesticides that might reach olive crops through drift.
From demonstration to future adoption
Overall, engagement during the Open Day was positive. Participants actively discussed the SafeOlive application, farm calendar, weather-based recommendations, pest risk information and rapid testing concept. The strongest interest centred on rapid pesticide-residue testing, digital farm records, harvest reminders, exportable documentation and practical spraying recommendations.
Perhaps most importantly, the event generated interest beyond the demonstration itself. One participant expressed a concrete willingness to test the B.EL.D™ device during the next harvesting period, creating an opportunity to continue evaluating the solution in real farming conditions.
Making digital innovation work for olive growers
The SIP13 SafeOlive Open Day demonstrated that digital innovation can support olive producers in several areas – from crop protection and spray decisions to record keeping, harvest planning and pesticide-residue testing.
At the same time, it showed that successful adoption depends on understanding the realities of farming. Digital solutions need to be simple, affordable, available in the local language and capable of turning complex information into clear, actionable advice.
For SafeOlive, the combination of digital decision support with rapid testing offers a promising approach to making information more accessible to olive growers and producers. By connecting technology with farmers’ existing knowledge and practical needs, SIP13 contributes to Farmtopia’s wider goal of making digital agriculture more useful, accessible and relevant on farms of different sizes.