On 12 February found at Saelens a successful demo session took place in Belgium within the Interreg Smart Farming & Food Processing (SFFP) project DripControl. During this meeting, innovative leak detection in drip irrigation systems was central.
The demo session was organised by VIVES University of Applied Sciences, in collaboration with Miedevia (stakeholder) and Didex (technology partner). Approximately 30 pupils attended the session – a good representation of the future generation of farmers and agroprofessionals.
Understanding Drip Irrigation and Leak Detection
Participants were first informed about the benefits of drip irrigation, such as water savings, targeted delivery, and more efficient resource use. Subsequently, the SFFP project DripControl was highlighted, which focuses on the early detection of leaks in irrigation systems using smart technology.
Drones in Action
During the session, Didex gave a demonstration, where participants could see for themselves how quickly a field can be mapped and how thermal images provide direct insight into the location of leaks. This made it concretely visible how drones can make work in agriculture more efficient and precise.
Furthermore, participants discussed the broader applications of drones, such as:
- Visual inspection of crops (vision)
- Precision spraying
- Monitoring of growth and health
Students, researchers and companies came together to discuss the future of drones in agriculture. The reactions were positive: future farmers see clear opportunities for this technology to work more sustainably, efficiently and smartly.
Outlook
The demo session showed that DripControl not only offers a technical perspective but also has broad support among the new generation of farmers. The project highlights how collaboration between education, businesses and technology partners can lead to practical innovations for future-proof agriculture.