A data-driven farming revolution: Smart Greenhouse in Greece 

The American Farm School (AFS) in Thessaloniki, Greece, is spearheading a transformative project aimed at revolutionizing agricultural education and practices through the implementation of a data-driven, smart greenhouse. In collaboration with Cisco, Dataways S.A., and Green Project S.A., this initiative integrates cutting-edge Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, providing students with hands-on experience in smart farming while demonstrating the technological benefits to local farmers.

The Need for Innovation 

Greenhouse farming plays a crucial role in modern agriculture by addressing food security, resource conservation, and sustainability. It facilitates year-round production while safeguarding crops against pests, diseases, and extreme weather. This approach conserves vital resources like water, utilizes renewable energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and minimizes chemical usage.  

However, many farms across Greece, still rely on traditional practices that limit efficiency and productivity. To overcome these challenges, AFS is partnering with Cisco to modernize its curriculum and incorporate data-driven greenhouse technology into its agricultural education program. In addition, the Greek Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food has a plan to support and help Greek farmers build new and smart greenhouses. 

Recently unveiled at a special event on AFS’ campus, the “smart and digital greenhouse” drew notable attendees, including Kostas Tsiaras, the Minister of Agricultural Development and Food. Tsiaras emphasized the significance of greenhouse cultivation programs for enhancing Greece’s primary sector and export capabilities, and highlighted Greece’s shift from a deficit to a positive agricultural balance, noting the rise in food and vegetable exports since 2023. He also noted that in Greece there are approximately 50,000 acres (20,000 hectares) of greenhouse cultivation, while in the Netherlands, whose area is twice that of the Greek region of Thessaly, the corresponding area reaches 120,000 acres (48,000 hectares). 

Stratos Simopoulos, Chairman of the Research and Technology Committee of the Parliament, stressed the importance of modern technology in developing sustainability and resilience in agriculture. He remarked, “Greenhouse cultivation is evolving into a cutting-edge sector, contributing to reduced water and pesticide use while simultaneously increasing production.” 

Cisco’s Smart Solution 

As part of Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration program, and in partnership with Dataways S.A. and Green Projects S.A., Cisco implemented a state-of-the-art, data driven, Smart Greenhouse solution at AFS. This initiative includes high-bandwidth wireless transmission systems, environmental sensors, automated controls, surveillance cameras, and data accessibility tools. These technologies enable real-time monitoring and optimization of greenhouse conditions, demonstrating the transformative power of IoT in agriculture. Nikos Lambrogeorgos, Public Sector Client Executive at Cisco Hellas, highlighted the installation of these technologies and their role in achieving more sustainable crop management, increasing production, and reducing energy and water costs. 

A Teaching and Inspirational Model 

Agriculture is a cornerstone of Greece’s economy, culture, and heritage. According to the European Commission’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan for Greece, around 400,000 people are employed in agriculture, accounting for about 10% of total employment. Although this percentage has decreased over the years, agriculture remains vital to Greece’s economy, contributing significantly to exports and rural employment.  

The Smart Greenhouse at AFS serves as a pioneering model for agricultural advancement in Greece, offering students practical experience in smart farming techniques and acting as a demonstration site for local farmers. AFS President Dr. Jeff Landsdale stated, “The smart and digital greenhouse is not only a technological innovation but also an educational tool that will help the school’s students gain valuable knowledge and skills for the future.” 

IoT That Inspires 

As Europe continues its digital transformation journey, projects like the Smart Greenhouse in Greece exemplify IoT’s potential to revolutionize traditional industries. By delivering the Smart Greenhouse project, Cisco has reinforced its leadership in IoT solutions tailored to the agricultural sector. This initiative underscores Cisco’s commitment to driving digital transformation in education and agriculture, illustrating with its partners that a more energy efficient and technologically advanced future is within reach. 

This post was co-authored by Nikolaos Lambrogeorgos,
Client Executive at Cisco Greece

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