COMUNIDAD Launches Precision Agriculture Workshops in Chile and Colombia

CO-CREATING SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES

The COMUNIDAD project, an EU-funded initiative, is set to host a series of groundbreaking workshops in Chile and Colombia this November. These events aim to bring the latest European technologies in precision agriculture and forestry management to Latin America while fostering collaboration with local stakeholders to co-create solutions tailored to real-world challenges. By integrating Copernicus satellite data, the European Global Navigation Satellite System (EGNSS), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Big Data, the project is addressing the pressing need for innovation in sustainable land management.

WHAT AND WHERE?

The workshops will take place in two regions vital to agriculture and forestry in Latin America. In Colombia, events will be held in the Zona Cafetera, a globally recognized hub for coffee production. The pilot here focuses on leveraging precision mapping and real-time data tools to optimize coffee yields, reduce environmental risks, and build resilience against climate variability. Meanwhile, in Chile, workshops in the Aysén region will concentrate on sustainable forestry practices, forest fire prevention, and land use planning, utilizing advanced remote sensing technologies and integrating local environmental data.

A PLATFORM FOR COLLABORATION

The workshops are more than a platform to introduce the COMUNIDAD project’s technologies—they are a vital step in co-creating solutions with local communities. By engaging directly with farmers, foresters, policymakers, researchers, and public organizations, the project seeks to understand the unique needs, critical challenges, and barriers to technology adoption faced by these stakeholders.

Through interactive discussions and practical demonstrations, participants will have the opportunity to voice their concerns and provide invaluable insights. This input will help shape and refine the pilots to ensure they are relevant, user-friendly, and impactful. The goal is to remove barriers to adopting precision farming technologies, such as high costs, lack of technical knowledge, and limited access to resources, thereby making these tools accessible and beneficial for local communities.

LOOKING AHEAD: ANTICIPATING THE HACKATHONS

As part of its commitment to co-creation, the COMUNIDAD project is also planning two series of hackathons in February 2025 and in 2026. These events will invite experienced users and developers to:

• Explore the Copernicus programme and develop applications using its services.
• Create localized tools based on the COMUNIDAD platform’s capabilities.
• Extend the platform with new data sources, features, and services.

The hackathons will provide a space for innovation, enabling local developers to build applications and tools that directly address regional needs while enhancing the impact of the COMUNIDAD platform.

WHY THIS MATTERS

The COMUNIDAD project’s workshops aim to bridge the gap between advanced European technologies and the realities of farming and forestry in Latin America. By prioritizing co-creation and collaboration, the project ensures that its solutions not only address real unmet needs but also enhance the profitability and sustainability of farming practices in the region.

Precision farming technologies have the potential to revolutionize agriculture and forestry by improving crop health, optimizing land use, and mitigating environmental risks. However, their success depends on breaking down barriers to adoption. These workshops represent a commitment to making precision farming tools more accessible, practical, and effective for small-scale farmers, cooperatives, and local governments in Latin America.

BUILDING A COLLABORATIVE FUTURE

The workshops highlight the importance of collaboration in driving sustainable innovation. By gathering diverse perspectives and building trust with local communities, the COMUNIDAD project is laying the groundwork for long-term success. The insights collected during these events will play a crucial role in tailoring the pilots to local contexts, ensuring that the solutions are not only technologically advanced but also deeply relevant and easy to implement.

This initiative is a testament to the transformative power of international collaboration, leveraging European expertise to address global challenges while empowering local communities. The workshops mark a significant milestone in the project’s mission to create impactful, sustainable solutions that boost the resilience and profitability of farming and forestry in Latin America.

Stay tuned for insights from other consortium members, and follow us on social media, where we share regular updates on the COMUNIDAD project outcome!