Platform for helping small and medium farmers to incorporate digital Technology for Improved Opportunities PHITO, funded by HORIZON-IA (Proposal number: 101084332-2), (2023-2028)

PHITO Kick-off program_Wageningen 
The PHITO ambition: bridging the digital divide 

PHITO (Platform for Helping small and medium farmers to Incorporate digital Technology for equal Opportunities) introduces a ground-breaking digital tool specifically for small and medium farmers (SMFs) that are currently unable to benefit from the digital innovation increasingly adopted by larger producers. The platform connects data and people through a low-barrier app with two main purposes: (1) offering free data-driven farm advice on soil, water and crops tailored to SMFs (global element), and (2) improving synergic collaboration between farmers, consumers, and service providers while strengthening the local Agriculture Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS1) (local element). PHITO distinguishes itself from previous initiatives as a key example of frugal innovation2, by downscaling the complexity of digital farming and making smart use of existing open geo-databases (through public domain data harvesting), and embedding this in the various local food systems and networks. Through co-creation together with SMFs and numerous local farmer representatives, PHITO will help to bridge the digital divide by providing better access to information and local networking, helping SMFs to improve their decision-making processes and consequently their economic and environmental performances.

Keywords :

– Digital Services and Platforms 

– Digital Social Innovation

– Precision agriculture

Type of action: HORIZON Innovation Actions 

Granting authority: European Research Executive Agency

Project starting date: fixed date: 1 September 2023

Total eligible costs: 5 025 142.50

Project end date: 31 August 2028

Project duration: 60 months

Project Leader:  WAGENINGEN UNIVERSITY, Netherlands

Partner Universities :

° Nr	Role	Short name	Legal name	Ctry	PIC	Total eligible costs	Max grant amount
1	BEN	UAIC	UNIVERSITATEA ALEXANDRU IOAN CUZA DIN IASI	RO	999887738	219 250.00	219 250.00
2	COO	WU	WAGENINGEN UNIVERSITY	NL	999981634	799 125.00	799 125.00
3	BEN	SmartFarming	SMARTFARMING B.V.	NL	887868646	581 437.50	407 006.25
4	BEN	Cambisol	VOGEL TEUN	NL	888352094	669 400.00	468 580.00
5	BEN	UNIPD	UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI PADOVA	IT	999995602	465 636.25	465 636.25
6	BEN	APPITAD	APPITAD - ASSOCIACAO DOS PRODUTORES EM PROTECAO INTEGRADA DE TRAS-OS-MONTES E ALTO DOURO	PT	896525023	196 125.00	196 125.00
7	BEN	UFA	UNITED FARMERS ARUBA ASSOCIATION	AW	887702776	119 250.00	119 250.00
8	BEN	DLVVB	BONAIRE	BQ	887743807	184 500.00	184 500.00
9	BEN	CdBD	CONSORZIO DI BONIFICA DELTA DEL PO	IT	930253378	196 125.00	196 125.00
10	BEN	ISRIC	STICHTING INTERNATIONAL SOIL REFERENCE AND INFORMATION CENTRE	NL	999500611	176 006.25	176 006.25
11	BEN	CdBL	CONSORZIO DI BONIFICA DI 2 GRADO LESSINIO EUGANEO BERICO	IT	887547091	239 875.00	239 875.00
12	BEN	CACV	FEDERACION DE COOPERATIVAS AGROALIMENTARES DE LA COMUNIDADV ALENCIANA	ES	923936059	291 250.00	291 250.00
13	BEN	CorePage	CLARINGBOULD HELEEN ELSA	NL	952640687	100 562.50	70 393.75
14	BEN	QG	QUADRAAT GLOBAL BV	NL	885380111	106 125.00	74 287.50
15	BEN	Alerce	DILLY LINA	AT	885336752	152 562.50	106 793.75
16	BEN	OMKI	OKOLOGIAI MEZOGAZDASAGI KUTATOINTEZET KOZHASZNU NONPROFIT KFT	HU	951242626	328 312.50	328 312.50
17	BEN	AUT	UNIVERSITETI BUJQESOR I TIRANES	AL	972910486	118 550.00	118 550.00
18	BEN	QTTB	QTTB, FUSHE KRUJE	AL	883147753	81 050.00	81 050.00
Total						5 025 142.50	4 542 116.25

PHITO objectives, actions & outcomes

In contrast with earlier initiatives and in line with SDG #10, PHITO has the clear vision to leave no one behind by offering farmers advice for all, including the most marginalized SMFs (with equal opportunities for e.g. women, youth, and indigenous people).

For information: Prof.Dr. Erinda Lika, elika@ubt.edu.al , and Prof.Dr. Seit Shallari, sshallari@ubt.edu.al