Phito is on the move!
This time, the project travelled to Mendoza, Argentina, one of the world’s most iconic wine regions, to show how satellite data can support climate-resilient agriculture for farmers facing the challenges of climate change.
Phito at the viticulture & climate change workshop
Dr Eugenio Straffelini and Prof Paolo Tarolli from the University of Padova presented Phito during the international workshop “Viticulture and Climate Change: climate, remote sensing and management strategies”, hosted by the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of the Universidad Nacional de Cuyo.
Their contribution was closely linked to Work Package 3 (WP3) of Phito, led by the University of Padova. WP3 focuses on harvesting open geo-data, identifying useful satellite-based indicators, and translating complex environmental information into practical, easy-to-understand advice for small and medium-sized farmers. In other words: turning pixels into something farmers can actually use!
Climate change and vineyards: Why satellite data matters
The workshop brought together researchers, students and professionals to discuss how climate change is reshaping agricultural systems, with a special focus on vineyards. In regions like Mendoza and the Valle de Uco, rising temperatures, water scarcity and extreme events are already part of the conversation. This is where tools such as remote sensing, satellite imagery and sustainable land management can make a real difference.
Through practical examples from local vineyards, Phito was presented as a concrete case study showing why access to geo-data matters.
What can satellite imagery do for farmers?
Sentinel-2 and Landsat 8/9 imagery can help monitor field conditions, detect variability within plots, assess vegetation vigour, estimate the relative water status of the canopy, and observe land surface temperature.
But the key message was simple: satellite data for climate-resilient agriculture should not remain something mysterious, locked away for experts only. Farmers do not need more beautiful pixels; they need information they can understand, trust and use. Phito aims to make this information more accessible, readable and useful for farmers and advisors in their daily decisions.
From Europe to Argentina: Phito’s global mission
From Europe to Argentina, Phito is exploring new horizons with the same mission: bringing digital agriculture closer to farmers, one field at a time.
