AgroTwin team, Vardan Urutyan, Rudik Nazaryan and Lilit Tamazyan, participated in the study tour “Exchange Learning Visit Programme on Precision Agriculture for Sectoral Stakeholders of Armenia” during November 17-24, 2024 organized by Weihenstephan-Triesdorf university of applied sciences. The group was composed of Armenian Agritech companies and startuppers, Armenian National Agrarian University faculty members, researchers, field experts and consultants. The study visit is kindly supported by the EU-GAIA program within the framework of Austrian Development Agency.

   

This study-learning visit to Germany was organized for sectoral stakeholders to learn about the recent trends and developments in the innovative, precision-agriculture sector in the European Union and particularly in Germany.

On the first day, Dr.  Aram Aristakesyan, Head of International Further Education of Hochschule Weihenstephan-Triesdorf, presented the structure and programs of the Weihenstephan-Triesdorf university of applied.

The team visited Triesdorf Animal Husbandry Education Farm and explored digital barn technologies including automated feeding and milking systems, IoT devices on animals, etc. The participants also had the opportunity to meet the real farmers and explore their farming technologies.

   

During the week, Prof. Dr. Patrick Noack has elaborated on the precision agriculture concepts and technologies, drones, smart sensors, GPS, satellite imagery, IoT in agriculture, data collection and real-time monitoring. The team members were working with geodata by using QGIS, QField and other software. Alex Schmidt from KoDA introduced the multiple IOT solutions in an exemplary educational farm in Germany (soil health, fertility and water management).

President Erik Veulliet welcomed the team in HSWT Campus Weihenstephan in Freising and presented the overall activities of the university. The team has witnessed the implementation of smart indoor farming in the campus.

On the last day of the program, Aram Aristakesyan discussed collaboration opportunities, funding mechanisms, and future training or exchange programs with participants.

During the study visit, there were cultural tours organized by the Agricultural Education center Triesdorf including visits to Ansbach, Würzburg, Rothenburg od der Tauber, Munich and Nuremberg.