PROTECHMED Sicily Inception Camp brings together international experts in Ragusa to advance technological innovation in Mediterranean protected horticulture.
RAGUSA, 12 June 2026 – PROTECHMED Sicily Inception Camp concluded in Ragusa with the workshop “Co-design of Technological Solutions for Sustainable Horticulture in the Mediterranean Region”, coordinated by Svi.Med. in collaboration with the University of Catania (Degree Course in Management of Enterprises for Sustainable Economy, DEI and Di3A). Hosted in the Aula Magna of the Ragusa Ibla University Consortium, the three-day event focused on the ecological and digital transition of the Mediterranean horticultural sector and was organized within the framework of the European PROTECHMED project (Promoting Innovative Solutions for the Technological Transition of the Mediterranean Horticultural Sector). The event provided an international forum on sustainable and smart management of protected crops, bringing together institutional partners, research centers, companies, stakeholders and organizations from Italy, Greece, Tunisia, Turkey and Lebanon. Participants shared a common goal: making Mediterranean horticulture more sustainable, resilient and innovative in the face of current environmental, economic and geopolitical challenges.
From High-Tech Innovation to Field Visits: The Official Debut of AGROVISION
During the Sicily Camp, project partners exchanged best practices, technologies and methodologies currently implemented in the agri-tech horticultural district of south-eastern Sicily. The first two days were dedicated to technical visits to companies already shaping the future of horticulture. The program began on 3 June with a visit to the aeroponic greenhouse developed within the INTESA project at Moncada OP (Ispica), followed by a visit to Causarano Farm (Donnalucata), where participants explored innovative agricultural approaches based on sensors and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. During these visits, SVI.MED presented and demonstrated AGROVISION smart glasses, an innovative remote technical assistance system designed to support greenhouse management. The system integrates smart glasses with a digital platform connected to environmental and agronomic sensors installed inside greenhouses. Data on temperature, humidity, irrigation and other cultivation parameters are collected and processed in real time, allowing operators to access key information directly through the smart glasses while receiving support from remotely connected experts. The technology was enthusiastically presented by Giovanni Iacono, President of SVI.MED ETS, who described AGROVISION as a unique and pioneering solution. “This system allows agronomists and plant health specialists to assess crop conditions in real time and identify potential diseases without being physically present on site,” said Iacono. “The platform also enables multiple experts to join the same session through multicall functions and, thanks to automatic translation features, eliminates language barriers among international partners. Furthermore, the automatic generation of digital PDF reports, complete with images and notes, ensures accurate traceability of all activities carried out.”
Field visits continued on the second day with a stop in Vittoria at Isolagrande Srl, a company specialized in hydroponic cultivation. Participants then visited the agrivoltaic greenhouse facilities of Serra Archimede by REGRAN near Punta Braccetto, before concluding the tour at Alba Bio Farm, a company specialised in organic farming. The visits offered participants the opportunity to observe a wide range of cultivation models, from organic farming and soilless systems to advanced hydroponic technologies, environmental sensors and integrated agrivoltaic solutions, fostering a direct exchange of knowledge and know-how.
Co-Design Workshop
The final day took place at the Aula Magna of the Ragusa Ibla University Consortium with the workshop “Co-design of Technological Solutions for Sustainable Horticulture in the Mediterranean Region.” During the first session, delegations from Italy, Greece, Tunisia, Turkey, Lebanon and Malta analyzed the good practices observed during the field visits and participated in B2B meetings aimed at transforming field observations into operational strategies. Discussions focused on water and nutrient management, energy efficiency, IoT and DSS platforms, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), and circular economy approaches. In the second session, participants worked according to the Living Lab methodology and were divided into five thematic working groups. Their objective was to develop recommendations and concrete pilot initiatives capable of adapting eco-innovative practices to the specific needs of Mediterranean regions.
The working groups focused on digitalization and soilless cultivation systems, including remote assistance through Smart Glasses (AR); advanced sensors and greenhouse monitoring technologies; vertical farming innovations; intelligent water management through Decision Support Systems (DSS) and IoT-based irrigation platforms; organic farming practice; advanced nutrient management solutions.
The Sicily Camp generated strong engagement among participants, fostering international collaboration and identifying scalable innovation pathways to accelerate the ecological and digital transition of Mediterranean horticulture.
The project has also launched a dedicated Telegram community to continue networking, knowledge exchange and collaboration among stakeholders interested in the topics addressed by PROTECHMED: https://t.me/protechmed_livlab/1
Last Update
15/06/2026
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