BOOST Project bridges the gap between theory and practice in Precision Agriculture

Grant Agreement: 101056291 — BOOST

Challenges faced by young agripreneurs while adopting Precision Agriculture methodologies

Across Europe, the agriculture sector is undergoing a major transformation as it moves towards more sustainable, technology-driven practices. Yet, young agripreneurs often face significant challenges. There’s a gap between theory and practice, with much of Precision Agriculture (PA) knowledge staying within academic or research institutions rather than being transferred to real farm management. Farmers are reluctant or are doubtful about whether PA technologies are user-friendly, affordable, and beneficial for them. Another challenge is the limited access to entrepreneurial support systems, such as incubators, accelerators, or venture capital guidance, that can help new entrants establish innovation-driven businesses. And lastly, there’s a lack of structured mentorship opportunities, that leaves young agripreneurs without guidance to transform their ideas into viable business models.

How does BOOST help young farmers, students, and agripreneurs in their agripreneurial endeavors?

The Erasmus+ BOOST Project has directly addressed these challenges through its Work Package 4 (WP4), which combined hands-on training, mentorship, and access to agribusiness ecosystems to empower the next generation of farmers. There were 4 tasks that helped to address these challenges- T4.1 On-Farm Experimentation Training, T4.2 Matchmaking, T4.3 Mentorship Program and T4.4 Evaluation of the Feedback for the Theoretical and Practical training.

On-Farm Experimentation (OFE) Training (T4.1)

Conducted in Greece, Italy, Spain, and Bulgaria, the five-day training sessions brought 58 young agripreneurs directly into real farm environments. Feedback before, during, and after training showed significant gains in practical skills, confirming that PA technologies can be both user-friendly and highly beneficial. Evaluations by BWCON and AUTH highlighted consistent enthusiasm across countries, despite regional differences.

Matchmaking (T4.2)

Participants were introduced to EU policies and programs, agribusiness incubators and accelerators, Digital Innovation Hubs, and venture capital consulting, equipping them with the tools and networks to launch and scale their ideas.

Mentorship Program (T4.3)

With 50 participants across four countries (Greece, Italy, Spain and Bulgaria), the mentorship program offered structured guidance from experienced professionals. The evaluation demonstrated high satisfaction with mentor communication and process structure, while also identifying opportunities for even better alignment between mentor and mentee expectations. Importantly, the program had a direct impact on developing business models and strengthening entrepreneurial confidence.

Evaluation of the Feedback of the Theoretical and Practical Training (T4.4)

Across the WP4 activities, participants consistently reported high satisfaction ratings and measurable gains in both theoretical and practical competencies. The OFE training bridged the theory-practice divide, while the mentorship program accelerated entrepreneurial readiness. Participants expressed interest in greater cross-country peer-to-peer exchange, and evaluators highlighted the potential to track long-term impacts.

Impact of the BOOST Precision Agricultural Education Package

By combining theoretical learning with practical training and mentorship, BOOST has proven that its Precision Agriculture Educational Package is an effective and successful model to prepare new entrants for the future of farming. The program not only builds skills but also fosters innovation, resilience, and confidence among young agripreneurs, ensuring they are better equipped to lead Europe’s transition to sustainable agriculture.

In WP4 alone, 3 deliverables were submitted and 2 milestones achieved, demonstrating the project’s tangible contributions to addressing Europe’s agricultural challenges.

Through the integration of education, research, and industry, BOOST offers a dynamic environment that empowers learners to design new business models, forge strategic partnerships, and modernize agriculture with cutting-edge technologies.