Current
AGRI-GIS – developing GIS competencies in agriculture
An Erasmus+ project developing the practical use of GIS, remote sensing and spatial data in the vocational education of agricultural technicians.
Project overview and strategic objectives
The AGRI-GIS project responds to the Agriculture 4.0 paradigm, focusing on implementing geographic information systems (GIS) in the daily work of agricultural technicians. Its main objective is to bridge the skills gap in using remote sensing and spatial data analysis to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Main research and educational objectives:
- Developing an innovative training methodology: Implementing the Work-Based Training model, integrating theory with the direct application of solutions to specific areas of farmland.
- Resource optimisation: Using GIS tools (e.g. QGIS, Google Earth Engine), AI and machine learning to predict threats such as water stress, nutrient deficiencies and pathogen outbreaks.
- Knowledge transfer: Creating a framework for validating learning outcomes (aligned with the Europass model), enabling formal recognition of new vocational qualifications across the EU.
Project consortium and partnership structure
The project is implemented by a diverse consortium of academic institutions and vocational education and training (VET) organisations, ensuring synergy between research and industry practice.
Institution | Country | Profile |
Universitat Politècnica de València (Coordinator) | Spain | Technical university (specialisation: photogrammetry and GIS) |
International Academy of Applied Sciences in Łomża | Poland | Higher education institution (specialisation: agriculture and applied sciences) |
Česká zemědělská univerzita v Praze | Czechia | University of life sciences (specialisation: precision agriculture) |
Univerzitet u Novom Sadu | Serbia | University (specialisation: water management and agriculture) |
FPIA | Spain | Foundation supporting agronomic engineering |
The Polish Farm Advisory and Training Centre | Poland | Advisory and training company |
MANS’s role in the work package (WP) structure
As an academic partner, MANS actively participates in all key research and development stages of the project:
- Needs analysis (WP2): Participating in working sessions to identify technological and organisational barriers to GIS adoption among farmers in north-eastern Poland.
- Resource development (WP3): Developing Polish case studies. These will be based on local geospatial data, including the assessment of weather damage and monitoring of crop condition in Poland’s specific climatic conditions.
- Implementation and validation (WP4): Delivering pilot courses for 15 agricultural technicians and co-developing the training quality assessment methodology under the supervision of the Vice-Rector for Teaching.
Budget analysis for MANS
The budget was calculated on the basis of workload measured in working days of research staff and experts.
Direct cost breakdown:
- Total allocation for MANS: €32,815.00
- WP1 (Management): €7,205.00 (administrative management and local coordination)
- WP2 (Methodology): €9,100.00 (development of the trainers’ guide content – 70 working days)
- WP3 (Training Resources): €11,700.00 (production of teaching materials and e-learning courses – 90 working days)
- WP4 (Impact & Sustainability): €4,810.00 (delivering pilots and disseminating results – 37 working days)
Timetable and results (milestones)
The project runs from November 2025 to October 2027 (24 months).
- M6 (April 2026): Approval of the training methodology framework.
- M15 (January 2027): Completion of the case studies and catalogue of GIS solutions.
- M18 (April 2027): Launch of national language versions of the e-learning platform.
- M22 (August 2027): Completion of the pilot phase in Poland.
The project aims to deliver lasting benefits by integrating the developed materials into the Agriculture degree programme at MANS, enhancing the institution’s educational offering in digital technologies.