The importance and innovation of the project have already attracted the attention of the OIV (Organisation Internationale de la Vigne et du Vin), which has requested technical insights: an acknowledgement that confirms the pioneering value of this solution made in Monferrato.
Precision viticulture takes a decisive step towards total automation.
The first intelligent atomizer capable of reducing the use of plant protection products by up to 73% has been patented, intervening only where really necessary. The first to test it in the field will be the Luca Ferraris Agricultural Company , which once again confirms itself as one of the most cutting-edge companies in the winemaking panorama, not only nationally, but internationally.
The project, funded by the Barbera d’Asti e Vini del Monferrato Consortium and carried out in collaboration with the University of Turin, was coordinated by Eng. Giancarlo Spezia, owner of Tecnovict , the company that developed the technology, and built by Dragone Srl. Equipped with advanced sensors and managed by an image interpretation system, the atomizer is able to analyze the density of the vegetation in real time and automatically adjust the delivery of treatments. The nozzles open and close in a tenth of a second, ensuring extremely targeted interventions.
“I am proud to be the first to use this technology in the vineyard” – says Luca Ferraris , owner of the company – “Ferraris Agricola has always invested in innovation: over the years we have chosen to constantly invest in technology as a strategic lever to improve the sustainability, efficiency and quality of our work. This atomizer is concrete proof that tradition and innovation can walk together”.
The environmental and economic benefits are numerous, from the drastic reduction in the dispersion of phytosanitary products to a significant saving in treatment costs.
<< The role of the Consortium in this project has been active and concrete – declares Vitaliano Maccario , President of the Barbera d’Asti and Monferrato Wines Consortium – We are proud to have been the pioneers of a far-sighted and original initiative that contributes to developing a great innovation for viticulture. The project of industrialization of the atomizer fits coherently into the path of strategies that aim to develop innovative solutions in sustainability in agriculture>>.
As highlighted by the owner of Dragone Srl Claudio Boeri , a notable advantage is given by the small size of the atomizer, which allows to work also in the vineyards of Langhe and Monferrato, where spaces are often limited. Furthermore, the higher cost compared to conventional ones is amortized by the company in two years. With this adoption, Ferraris Agricola reaffirms its leading role in innovation and a point of reference for the wine sector.