Better quality of crops, productivity growth, reduction of agricultural costs with the strategic project FruitFlyNet-ii, the focus is on the ecologically effective control of parasites in olive, peach, and citrus crops so widespread in Mediterranean countries. The experiments were initiated with the FruitFlyNet project, funded under the ENPI CBC MED 2007-2013 Program, through the monitoring of olive and fruit flies.

“Thus began the development of a first monitoring and control system that included position detection (LAS), tested in cultivated areas of various Mediterranean territories with very promising results” explains Professor Andrea Sciarretta, Project Coordinator at the University of Molise. “Now, FruitFlyNet-ii represents the evolution of that initial proposal, with the aim of optimizing Location Aware System (LAS) prototypes for subsequent commercialization and large-scale use, thanks also to the significant boost that smart agriculture is having in nowadays".

The project therefore addresses the problem of two dangerous pests against which Italian and Mediterranean farmers must fight. What is the implemented strategy?
"Conventional integrated pest management methods have shown some limitations. At the same time causing serious economic losses and environmental repercussions in all cultivated areas. With FruitFlyNet-ii, we are working on the development of two types of electronic traps integrated by a series of online services, capable of increasing the accuracy of the tests, storing data, and carrying out remote controls in real time: this solution will have a significant impact on olive, peach, and citrus crops, improving economic and environmental sustainability, thanks also to the reduction and better targeted use of pesticides ".

Where will lead the innovative FruitFlyNet-ii solutions, based on new technologies applied to agriculture? 
“Towards the creation of three spin-offs that will operate in the market of the various partner countries of the project, on a cross-border basis through research agreements between industry and the academic world. The functionality of the new products/services will be tested in 8 large-scale cultivation sites, in 5 regions of the EU partners and 3 of Mediterranean Partner countries, with a sharing of knowledge on new clean technologies. Furthermore, the use of two systems for automatic monitoring of infested insect populations will generate in the long term an impact on local economies by helping reduce regional inequalities, particularly in rural areas of the EU regions and the entire basin of the Mediterranean".

What will cross-border integration be based on?
"On the transfer of knowledge, development of skills at local level through the creation and management of experimental sites, on the start-up and operation of spin-offs and the sharing of patents and intellectual property rights. The more experienced partners, such as the Agricultural University of Athens and the University of Molise will have the task of carrying out the necessary training activities. Each partner, therefore, will benefit from an update of technological capabilities as well as the acquisition of experience to capitalize the research results in marketable goods. The acquired knowledge will then be improved and shared with Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the agrifood sector, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) industry and other interested parties in two living laboratories activities and through open events and public demonstrations ".

What concrete benefits will get the farmers from the project's results?
"They will be able to increase the quantity and quality of production thanks to the availability of new tools for the integrated control of pests, based on easily manageable electronic systems, capable of ensuring greater timeliness and less waste of time in the scouting activity for modulation treatments. Indirect recipients are certainly also SMEs that need new electronic products / services and new markets, political decision-makers interested in promoting sustainable agriculture and final consumers, who are increasingly attentive to the choice of foods free of pesticide residues".

What will FruitFlyNet-ii project bequeath to the agricultural sector?
"The goal is to achieve concrete co-patenting results for the commercialization of the two electronic traps in the markets of the EU and in other Mediterranean countries. With the collaboration of the IPM industry and SMEs, a business plan will be drawn up for the analysis of market trends, competition, risks, and opportunities associated with the launch of the new products. Digital agriculture is considered an expanding sector for technological and organizational aspects with an expected market growth of about 12% annually over the next five years. To date, the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) goods / services is still limited, in terms of the type of use and the number of companies, to a dimension that excludes most crops".