"For many fruit species, we are in a particularly delicate vegetative moment, a phase in which they need careful and constant technical support. Pruning, post-pruning, flowering, fertigation and foliar nutrition, vegetative recovery, pest control or the classic plant management: these are all aspects that must be taken into consideration even in an emergency period," says the agronomist Vito Vitelli from his workstation in Policoro (Matera).
"For the reasons we all know, getting around has become difficult, as well as not recommended, but at the same time nature does not stop. For this reason I thought about making the most out of technology, providing, through the famous instant messaging app WhatsApp (or other more professional programs), "video visits" with the farmer. The farmer, with a simple video call, can show me the conditions of his plant, pointing me to problems or critical issues to be highlighted. All it takes is a smartphone and a data connection".
"Everything is projected on a 40" screen, in order to be able to view in detail all the key aspects of the plant under consideration. Along with a long dialogue and other photos and videos that the farmer will send me at the end of the video call, I will be able to draw up a program of specific agronomic interventions".
"At the moment, what is a little difficult to provide is information and training courses on foliage management, but on this issue, I recommend subscribing to my YouTube channel (YouTube-Vito Vitelli Agronomo), where you can view several video tutorials on how to prune many species of plants".
"In the countryside you do not always have enough internet coverage to allow a video call. In those cases the farmer, following some advice, will have to take photos or shoot videos of his fields and send them to me. So far I received a good response from everyone, but, as you know, when new things are involved, initially there is a little skepticism. A new extension of the total block beyond April 3 has been announced already, but agriculture will not have to stop, since we can guarantee remote technical advice as well. Therefore resorting to these tools will be necessary, even for those farmers who are unfamiliar with technology. You never stop learning!"
Contacts:
Vito Vitelli - dott. agronomo
Cell.: +39 339 2511629
Blog: vitovitelli.blogspot.com