SATECON – EU project developing smart agriculture presented in Kotor

The strategic EU project “SATECON” implemented within the framework of the cross-border program “Interreg IPA Croatia-Bosnia and Herzegovina-Montenegro”, was launched at the conference held in Kotor (Montenegro) on 06 November 2025.

Speakers at the conference included the “SATECON” Project Coordinator Dr. Stjepan Bogdan (the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing in Zagreb), representative of the Directorate for European Integration of the BiH Council of Ministers Nevena Marilović, State Secretary of the Ministry of European Affairs of the Government of Montenegro Biljana Papović and Head of the Sector for Coordination of the program of European territorial cooperation and macro-regional strategy of the Ministry of Regional Development and European Union Funds of the Republic of Croatia Marko Opančar.

The Conference was also attended by the representatives of the Sector for Rural Development and Agricultural Advisory Services of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry.

The goal of the “Smart AgriTech Connect – SATECON” project is to improve agricultural competitiveness in the border area of ​​Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro through the development of smart agriculture. The main partner on the project is the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing from Zagreb, which will coordinate the work of eight project partners from three countries. The total value of the project is 6.4 million euros, of which the European Union provides 85% of the funds.

Most small farmers from border areas still rely on traditional production methods that are no longer competitive. The “SATECON” project will build strategies for better adoption of smart agriculture tools and technologies. Advanced technologies such as drones, sensors, automation, data analysis and robotic systems will be used for this purpose. The Project will focus on six key agriculture sector: viticulture, fruit growing, olive growing, animal husbandry, greenhouse production and mariculture.

Pilot projects will be implemented in different locations, with special focus on encouraging cooperation between producers and the exchange of knowledge. In addition to strengthening the competitiveness of agriculture, it is expected that the project will attract new, young farmers and strengthen local production, thereby creating preconditions for the revival of rural areas.

“SATECON” is one of four strategic projects implemented within the framework of the Interreg Croatia-Bosnia and Herzegovina-Montenegro program. About 107 million euros were secured within the program for projects that contribute to increasing the quality of life of citizens in numerous areas in the period 2021-2027. This clearly shows the benefits of European integration and contributes to the friendly relations between the three countries.