Instituto de Investigación Loyola Energía, Tecnología y Sostenibilidad

Artificial Vision for Integrated Pest Management in Olive Groves

The OliVAr project develops an innovative solution based on IoT sensors and computer vision algorithms to enable early detection of pests in olive groves—one of the most emblematic crops of Andalusia and the Mediterranean region.

Field trials are being conducted on two farms in the province of Seville, where the captured images allow the identification of different insect species that affect the plants and fruits. Some require precise species identification, while in other cases the analysis focuses on distribution and movement patterns to assess their impact on the crop.

In addition to its technological component, OliVAr has a strong educational dimension, aimed at enabling farmers and producers to easily access and apply this technology in their operations.

The OliVAr Operational Group is composed of Loyola University, Fundación Ayesa, Opracol Sevilla, and Cooperativas Agro-alimentarias de Andalucía, and is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development of the Andalusian Government, under the EIP-AGRI 2022 call.

Collaboration among the partners brings together agricultural, technological, and industrial expertise, ensuring a comprehensive approach: agricultural production, led by Opracol Sevilla; knowledge transfer and dissemination, managed by Cooperativas Agro-alimentarias de Andalucía; and research and technological development, carried out by Fundación Ayesa and Loyola University.

Through this collaborative effort, OliVAr stands as a key tool for promoting a smarter, more sustainable, and environmentally friendly agriculture.