For six months, I had the unique opportunity to take part in a research exchange at the Università degli Studi di Palermo, in Sicily, as part of the European project Sustainable EU. I was sent by the company I work for, Graniot, which specializes in remote sensing and geospatial analysis solutions for the agricultural sector. This experience went far beyond professional development — it was a rich cultural, scientific, and human exchange that will certainly shape my career.

I was warmly welcomed by the team of Professor Riccardo Lo Bianco in the Department of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Sciences. I worked closely with researchers Roberto Massenti and Alessandro Carella, with whom I developed projects focused on precision agriculture, combining proximity sensors and satellite imagery. I presented Graniot’s SAS (Smart Agriculture System) platform, which integrates satellite images, NDVI maps, biomass analysis, water indices, and estimated productivity — services that generated strong interest in agricultural innovation in the region.

During this period, I also participated in field activities across different parts of Sicily. One of the most remarkable experiences was taking part in the final event of the SPREMO projectheld in Sciacca, organized by CREA – Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l’Analisi dell’Economia Agraria. There, we had the opportunity to present digital solutions for precision agriculture directly to Sicilian farmers, showing how technology can support more sustainable agricultural practices, especially in citrus and olive orchards. Witnessing farmers’ reactions as they discovered accessible tools to make data-driven decisions was truly rewarding.

Another highlight of this journey was co-authoring a scientific article presented at the ISPAMED 2023 conference, held in Palermo. In our work, we discussed the combined use of sensors such as sap flow meters, fruit gauges, leaf turgor probes, and satellite images to optimize irrigation in Mediterranean orchards. This research represents an important step in integrating applied science and technological innovation in the field, making agriculture more efficient and sustainable.

I returned home certain that this experience has expanded both my professional and personal perspective. I reaffirmed my commitment to precision agriculture and strengthened international cooperation ties that will continue to bear fruit. I carry with me the hospitality of the Sicilian team, the technical knowledge I acquired, and the enthusiasm to keep contributing to real solutions for the challenges of agricultural innovation.