Digital technologies for plant health, early detection, territory surveillance and phytosanitary measures

STELLA will develop a real time pest surveillance system. The system will consist of 3 subsystems: 1) an early warning system using novel forecasting models and IoT sensors, 2) a pest detection system using drones, satellites, and a smartphone application, and 3) a pest response system providing data-driven recommendations for containment and counteractive measures. The system will be tested in 6 Use Case Pilots across 5 countries, covering 8 various diseases of importance to the EU. Capacity building activities will be developed with a focus on providing training, education, and resources to farmers, agronomists, and other stakeholders involved in crop protection. These activities will aim to equip stakeholders with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively use the STELLA system and implement environmentally friendly crop protection alternatives. Policy recommendations generated by the project will aim to support the European Commission's goals of reducing pesticide use and managing priority plant pest outbreaks. The recommendations will be based on the data and insights gathered through the early warning, detection, and response system. A networking strategy will be developed to leverage existing knowledge and enable links with relevant organisations, networks, projects, and initiatives. Collaborating with stakeholders as well as other projects will provide opportunities to exchange ideas and learn from others' experiences.