Identification & Background

Name of the project | Adaptive and Sustainable Intelligent Cultivation System 

Acronym: SUSTAiN 

The SUSTAiN project envisions the design of a controlled-environment system complemented by an optimized light-exposure component. A wireless sensor network will be deployed to acquire data such as light intensity, pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved solids, among other relevant parameters. This information, processed through artificial intelligence algorithms, will be used to control the lighting modules and irrigation system, with the objective of optimizing the production process and increasing overall efficiency through improved resource utilization, particularly water. Another key aspect of the project involves studying the qualitative and quantitative impact of light exposure on fruit growth, with the goal of determining the optimal exposure percentage for each crop across all vegetative stages. This approach enables the production of higher-quality products while responding to the growing consumer demand for sustainably produced foods. 

Project code| NORTE2030-FEDER-02149400 

Approval date | 03/09/2025 
Start date | 01/11/2025
Completion date | 30/10/2028 

Total eligible investment | 921.191,20 €
Financial support | 729.805,79 € 

Promoters| JG Instalações eléctricas, Lda
Copromotors | Infancia Maria Lima Barreiro Rocha; MORE; IPB 

  • Promote Sustainability in Hydroponic Cultivation: Develop and implement an innovative solution that minimizes environmental impact by reducing the consumption of natural resources such as water and energy, thereby fostering more sustainable agricultural practices. 

  • Enhance the Competitiveness of the Agricultural Sector: Provide producers with technological solutions that reduce operational costs and significantly increase the competitiveness of their products in both national and international markets, addressing the growing demand for sustainably produced food. 

  • Maximize Efficiency and Productivity: Optimize production processes in hydroponic greenhouses through advanced technologies, such as wireless sensor networks and AI algorithms, to dynamically adjust cultivation parameters—including light, nutrients, and water—based on environmental and vegetative data, enabling continuous and customized tuning for different types of fruits and vegetables. 

  • Contribute to the Transition toward Agriculture 4.0: Integrate digital tools and intelligent solutions that enable real-time monitoring and control of critical parameters such as humidity, temperature, luminosity, pH, and electrical conductivity, thereby strengthening precision agriculture in controlled environments. 

  • Foster Technology Transfer and Innovation: Develop a scalable and replicable system that enables technology transfer across different crop types and geographic contexts, encouraging the adoption of modern and sustainable agricultural practices by an increasing number of producers. 

  • Study and Maximize the Impact of Light Exposure on Crop Growth: Conduct a detailed qualitative and quantitative analysis of the effects of light exposure across different vegetative stages, defining tailored strategies to maximize crop growth in greenhouse environments. 

  • romote Research and Development (R&D) in the Agricultural Sector: Strengthen the consortium’s position as a leader in technological innovation for sustainable agriculture by promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and disseminating technical-scientific results to diverse audiences. Additionally, enhance the R&D capacity of consortium members through the generation of scientific knowledge, publication in specialized journals, and participation in international conferences, thereby spreading innovative insights on sustainable agriculture and intelligent cultivation. 

  • Preliminary Studie 

  • Solution Development 

  • Monitoring and Evaluation of the Solution’s Qualitative and Quantitative Impact 

  • Integration, Testing, and Validation 

  • Dissemination and Communication of Results 

  • Knowledge Management and Technical Coordination of the Project 

  • AI-Enhanced Precision Lighting System 

  • Real-Time Optimization System for Hydroponic Crops 

  • System for Optimizing the Nutritional, Chemical, and Bioactive Properties of Fruits 

  • Energy Independence of the Production System