Working group 3: Sustainability, performance and profitability of new innovations and technology

Working group 3 focuses on reviewing and evaluating current technologies and practices for weed control, including traditional mechanical methods and modern technologies such as precision, digitalised and agro-ecological approaches.

Planned activities

Review of current technologies and practices

Working group 3 is organising national and international workshops with stakeholders from across the value chain to review current machinery and practices. Optimal methodologies will be developed to integrate new solutions into existing agro-ecological approaches. Technological innovations such as camera-guided weeders and the use of automation, AI and robotics will be evaluated for durability, performance and cost-effectiveness. An integrated approach to weed management will be promoted for sustainable agriculture.

Stakeholder evaluation of new weed control approaches and innovations

Working group 3 is organising six national workshops and demonstration sites in different European countries, as well as an international workshop at the end of the Action. Stakeholders from all relevant sectors will be invited to discuss technological challenges and co-develop new solutions. Surveys will be carried out at the end of each workshop to improve subsequent sessions.
Workshops with growers, advisors, processors, machinery industry representatives, scientists and students evaluate new weed control strategies from three main perspectives: 

• Sustainability: Methods and technologies are assessed for their effectiveness and impact on the environment, including soil health, insect and pollinator populations, water quality and human health. Ease of use and the skills required for farmer adoption are also considered.
• Performance: New precision farming technologies are compared with traditional techniques, including physical methods, green approaches, tillage strategies and mulching. Their performance in managing weeds in specific MAP systems will be assessed.
• Profitability: The efficiency of weed management methods will be analysed, taking into account labour costs and investment in new equipment. Feedback from workshop participants will be collected to inform future evaluations.

Public field demonstrations of promising methods and tools

Field demonstrations of promising methods and tools are organised with local Action partners. Demonstrations follow a six-step methodology: defining objectives, selecting demonstration farms, setting up demonstrations, promoting events, using effective learning and facilitation methods, and evaluating and following up results. 
Videos of machinery in action and agro-ecological methods are recorded during the workshops. The results will be used to develop technical guides for farmers and to promote future cooperation.

Objectives

The final objective of working group 3 is to develop interdisciplinary approaches, promote the adoption of innovative weed management techniques, demonstrate new technologies and best management practices, evaluate innovative practices with farmers and disseminate knowledge across Europe.
These objectives will be achieved through the planned activities described above:

• Review of current technologies and practices
• Stakeholder evaluation of new weed management approaches and innovations
• Public field demonstrations of promising practices and tools 

Expected outcomes 

The main outcomes of working group 3 will be a stakeholder engagement guide and, following surveys and national and international workshops with on-farm demonstrations, technical guidance on modifications to weed control machinery and appropriate combinations of methods.