Context
By 2050, world food demand is expected to increase by 50%. Agriculture therefore faces the enormous challenge of produce more, sustainably, This is in response to the demands of climate change and the need to reduce the use of chemical products.
In Europe, the strategy Farm to Fork plans to reduce the use of plant protection products by 50% by 2030. At the same time, more than 60% of soil is degraded, compromising agricultural fertility. These challenges are particularly urgent in the Mediterranean region - and especially in the Alentejo, Agriculture accounts for 8.8% of regional GDP, compared to 1.6% nationally.
Among the region's most important crops is tomato, The tomato is a key crop for the Portuguese and Spanish Extremadura economies. In Portugal, industrial tomatoes account for more than 99% of vegetable production destined for processing and are worth around 330 million euros in annual exports. However, the sector is facing growing pressures: pests, diseases and the need to replace chemically synthesized products with sustainable solutions.
The Project
O TomaBioTec – New biological and digital solutions for protecting and fertilizing tomato crops - has emerged as a concrete response to these challenges.
The project is led by InnovPlantProtect (InPP), in collaboration with Centro Tecnológico Nacional Agroalimentario de Extremadura (CTAEX) and Cordeiro Group, a Portuguese tomato producer. Together, these partners unite science, technology and agricultural experience to validate a Innovative bioproduct developed at InPP, based on a local bacterium of the species Bacillus velezensis.
This bioproduct has double action:
- as bioprotector, whose action will be tested against some tomato diseases and pests, such as Fusarium oxysporum, Phytophthora infestans e Tuta absoluta;
- as biostimulant, Its action will be evaluated in terms of plant growth and productivity.
The approach is complemented by a strong digital component: the use of drones , as well artificial intelligence (AI) models will make it possible to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the bioproduct developed by InPP.
Objectives
TomaBioTec aims to:
- Demonstrate in the field the biostimulant and bioprotective properties of the InPP bioproduct, validating the excellent results obtained in the laboratory and greenhouse.
- Developing digital monitoring methodologies, combining drones, sensors and AI to create replicable crop analysis systems.
- Strengthening the role of the InPP as a benchmark innovation center for the sustainable protection of agricultural crops in Portugal and the Iberian Peninsula.
- Encouraging cross-border cooperation between InPP and CTAEX, boosting the transfer of knowledge, the training of qualified technicians and the development of sustainable business opportunities.
Main Activities
- Field trials on tomato plants: Tests in Portugal and Spain to evaluate different formulations of the bioproduct (solid, liquid and combined), compared to commercial products and conventional treatments.
- Biological monitoring: Fortnightly pest observations with sample collection and digital data recording.
- Air Data Collection: Flights with drones equipped with RGB, multispectral and thermal cameras capture images that make it possible to assess the vigor and health of plants.
- Analysis with Artificial Intelligence: The images collected by the drones are processed and analyzed by AI models (such as YOLOv5 and YOLOv9) to detect and quantify symptoms of tomato diseases or pests and estimate yields.
- Interactive Web Platform: The results of the AI models are presented in reports and dynamic maps, allowing for a simple and intuitive reading of the effects of the bioproduct.
- Communication and Dissemination: The project will be publicized through a website, podcasts, videos and workshops in Portugal and Extremadura, involving producers, technicians and companies in the tomato sector.
Expected Impact
TomaBioTec has a direct impact on four key dimensions:
The project also contributes to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations, namely:
Team and Partnerships
- InnovPlantProtect (InPP) - Project leader. CoLAB based in Elvas, specializing in biological and digital solutions for the protection of agricultural crops.
- CTAEX - Extremadura's leading agri-food research center, responsible for production and field trials in Spain.
- Cordeiro Group - National tomato producer that collaborates in the implementation and monitoring of trials in Portugal.
Financing
O TomaBioTec is one of the winning projects of the 7th edition of the Promove Program, promoted by la Caixa“ Foundation”, in collaboration with BPI Bank and Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT).
Follow the project
Follow the results and news from TomaBioTec through the InnovPlantProtect website, social networks and public events.
The future of agriculture depends on solutions that unite biology, technology and sustainability - and TomaBioTec is a firm step in that direction.
[🎥 video / 📷 gallery / 🔗 InPP social media link]
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