Objectives

The courses in the Master’s Program entitled: “PRECISION AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGIES,” constitute an upgraded continuation of the academic subjects of the Department of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, as defined in accordance with the decision of the Senate of the University of Thessaly No. 216/ 30.05.19 of the Senate of the University of Thessaly.

Today’s era is characterized by intense competition in the primary sector, both nationally and internationally. Agricultural prices are constantly falling, while the cost of agricultural inputs (fertilizers, pesticides, etc.) continues to rise. This has a significant impact on producers’ net profits, which are declining year after year, leading many producers to stop farming. Nevertheless, producers are seeking new methods and practices that will be more efficient and yield greater profits. Precision agriculture is the science that seeks to provide solutions to the above problems. For this reason, Precision Agriculture is widespread (mainly in developed countries) and is at the top of producers’ preferences. This Master’s program is designed to address the field of Precision Agriculture and to provide: a) scientific approaches for the application of modern technologies in agriculture (digital agriculture, precision agriculture), b) the application of Precision Agriculture at all its stages.

This master's program trains specialists with a high level of scientific expertise in the fields of integrated crop management using precision agriculture practices and methodologies.

The aim of the Master’s program is to train specialized and competent professionals for businesses and government agencies, as well as entrepreneurs and researchers, in areas related to the integrated management of crops using modern technologies, practices, and methodologies as defined by the science of Precision Agriculture. The main objective of this program is to train scientists from various backgrounds (agronomists, engineers, biologists, etc.) in topics related to the application of Precision Agriculture, allowing them to acquire up-to-date, fundamental, and often unique knowledge in such a popular specialized field.

• To provide a unique opportunity to train professionals capable of linking agriculture and technology to the needs of society, in order to overcome global challenges in the field of innovative agricultural practices and the use of new-technology agricultural machinery.
• To provide all the knowledge (technical and methodological) related to the comprehensive implementation of Precision Agriculture.
• To train specialists with a high level of scientific expertise in the fields of agricultural management and natural resource management.
• To provide knowledge about good agricultural practices.
• To provide the expertise needed to develop electronic devices and program them for agricultural applications.
• To train scientists to develop critical thinking skills for solving problems in primary production.
• To train scientists to apply Precision Agriculture methods, techniques, and tools with the aim of reducing production costs, increasing net profits, and protecting the environment.
• To train scientists in the electronic systems of agricultural machinery and autonomous vehicles (robots).
• To educate and train professionals who are competitive both nationally and globally. To facilitate employment in the private sector and academia.

• Agricultural machinery dealers
• Agricultural machinery manufacturers
• Companies that sell satellite navigation systems
• Companies that sell unmanned aerial vehicles
• Data processing and analysis companies
• Farms
• Specialty crop farms
• Agricultural cooperatives
• Companies that sell sensors and smart devices
• Agricultural Advisory Offices
• Research centers
• Companies with automation systems
• Producer groups
• Agri-food companies engaged in the marketing and processing of agricultural products
• Wine-producing companies
• Contract farming businesses
• Seed production companies
• Agricultural consulting firms