Ferrara, Italy – From November 10th to 14th, 2025, the University of Ferrara (Unife) became the center of agricultural innovation. As part of the COLOURS Alliance, the university hosted an intensive week of learning and competition, featuring a specialized CoLab and the milestone first-ever COLOURS Unife Hackathon.
The event focused on Innovative and Sustainable Agriculture, highlighting that modern farming is no longer a single discipline. Instead, it is a sophisticated combination of technologies—from AI to circular water systems—designed to tackle climate change and foster resource independence.
The CoLab: Bridging Science and Industry Expertise
The week began with the CoLab (November 10–12), where students immersed themselves in the latest agricultural advancements. Unife professors and scientists joined forces with industry leaders from organizations such as Legacoop Estense, Vianello PaliAlga & Zyme Factory, Mazzoni Group, Fri-el Green House, Cibibits, and CER Castello Green House.
Participants explored the realities of climate change and the high-tech tools available to combat it. Key sessions focused on:
- Precision Technology: Sensors and AI integrated into ploughing machinery.
- Renewable Energy: Solar panel integration for greenhouse climate control.
- Plant Health: Software for crop monitoring and specialized cameras using “agrolrythms” to detect plant stress.
To see these theories in action, students visited the TECHNO POLO incubation center. They toured a zero-emission greenhouse powered by solar energy, featuring a closed-loop water circulation system that recycles rainwater. They also studied probiotic-based contamination control systems that ensure plant growth without the use of harmful chemical pesticides.
The First COLOURS Unife Hackathon: From Theory to Startup
On November 12th, the focus shifted to the first COLOURS Unife Hackathon. Before diving into the competition, students were trained by experts in essential professional skills: Design Thinking, Teamwork, and Brainstorming techniques.
The challenge was to take this new knowledge and build a viable startup that addresses real-world local issues provided by regional enterprises.
Meet the Winners: Project GRUPANIC
The top prize was awarded to Sustainable Agriculture Technology – GRUPANIC, an innovative project focused on restoring soil health in the Po Delta, where soil salinization and low organic carbon threaten the future of farming.
The winning team consisted of:
- Fatemeh Farsadnia (Unife, Italy)
- Ariadna Sabater Gribaudo (UCLM, Spain)
- Christel Ndrekaj (Unife, Italy)
- Wenyi Zhou Zhou (UCLM, Spain)
The GRUPANIC team designed a scalable circular economy model using 100% local agricultural waste to create a soil amendment enriched with salinity-resilient fungi. Their approach reduces sodium and chloride while increasing organic matter, making crops stronger under environmental stress.
Importantly, their model is inclusive. Even farmers without advanced sensors can benefit from their knowledge-sharing practices, learning to turn waste into compost and reduce carbon loss independently.
Our Commitment to Local Growth
This event at Unife exemplifies the core values of the COLOURS Alliance. We are dedicated to:
- Providing Practical, Labor-Market-Ready Skills: We equip students with the technical and collaborative tools needed to excel in modern industry.
- Tackling Local Challenges: Our initiatives, like GRUPANIC’s soil restoration project, focus on solving the specific environmental hurdles of our regions, such as the Po Delta.
- Collaborating for Growth: By connecting students with SMEs, NGOs, and policy makers, we bridge the gap between academic research and local business growth.
Through the integration of education, research, and mobility, COLOURS continues to empower the university community to create a more sustainable and productive future for all.
