05.06 – 07.06. 2023, a working meeting of the partners on the project “Boosting Innovation in Education and Research of Precision Agriculture in Palestine” – (BENEFIT ). The purpose of the event is to exchange experience and visit sites in the field of precision agriculture.
The host of the event was the University of Ruse. The three-day meeting was opened by the Rector of Ruse University “Angel Kanchev”, academician Hristo Beloev, dtn, followed by a welcome speech by Prof. Dr. Nikola Mihailov, DHC. The event continued with a discussion of the planned activities and a visit to the laboratories at the Faculty of Agricultural Industry and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Automation.
During the event, Assoc. Dr. Seher Kadirova presented the website developed for the purposes of the project, with news about the dissemination of the results. Associate Professor Boris Evstatiev demonstrated the work with a specialized thermal camera and obtained results in the field of precision animal husbandry. Prof. Dr. Tsvetelina Georgieva presented to the participants the use of modern electronic equipment in precision crop and animal breeding.
After that, the participants visited the modern doctoral hall “Future Education Space” of the University of Ruse. Assoc. Dr. Galina Ivanova presented them with the possibilities of using the resources and equipment, as well as 3D equipment and software products used in training on topics related to mechanical engineering.
The team from the Department of Agricultural Technology demonstrated to the guests the process of creating digital soil maps using a Claas tractor and an inductive sensor for remote scanning. The guests also got acquainted with a laboratory for studying soil parameters.
The meeting continued with a visit to sites of the “Digital Energy Systems 4.0” laboratory. The photovoltaic plant, micro wind generator, energy storage systems, weather stations, etc. were presented. The guests also got acquainted with equipment and developments of the Ruse team in the field of precision agriculture – IoT devices for measuring soil parameters, a spectral camera for assessing the condition of plants, a specialized stand for microclimate in poultry buildings, etc.
The project partners also visited the Innovative Youth EXPO in Kanev Center, where they had the opportunity to get acquainted with the developments of students from Ruse University and students from schools in the region.
On the second day, the participants visited the unique in Europe Center for the extraction and storage of seminal fluid, embryology and embryo transfer in the village of Trastenik. After the extensive presentation and demonstrations of the main stages of the technological process in the preparation of chilled and frozen seminal fluid, the guests visited an experienced apiary in the village of Brestovitsa. There, they learned about the requirements for organic beekeeping and the existing technological equipment for honey extraction.
On the third day, a meeting of the Project Management Board was held to discuss upcoming activities – the final conference in Palestine in September and a visit to the Agricultural University in Nitra, Slovakia. Ideas for future joint project activity were also discussed.
