Renewable Energy Sources and Sustainable Systems for Integration in the Agricultural Sector, RES-SIAS

Integrating renewable energy technology into agriculture is envisioned as a low-environmental impact option for increasing power production while benefiting crops and livestock. The design, implementation, and evaluation of agricultural sites that integrate renewable technology require a particular set of capacities (skills, knowledge, and attitudes) not seldom taught in higher education institutions in Latin America (LA). Moreover, the symbiotic integration of energy and agriculture, maintaining a low environmental impact, calls for a multidisciplinary approach involving many stakeholders. RES-SIAS is a project that aims to enhance the capacities of high education institutions in Colombia and Chile to educate undergraduate and postgraduate students that support the development of modern, genderinclusive, and decarbonized agricultural and livestock sectors. This project proposes celebrating meetings and workshops with representatives from the farming and energy sector to understand the situation and needs of integrating renewable energy into agriculture and livestock and the role of women in these sectors. Additionally, train-the-trainer activities for staff and students from Colombia and Chile will be celebrated in Spain and Germany to show how demonstration sites can be used to support teaching and develop skills in integrating renewable energy into agriculture and livestock. With the experience gained from the previous activities, this project proposes analyzing and updating the curriculum of engineering programs at rural campuses in Colombia and Chile. This project contributes to the internationalization of specific postgraduate programs by developing a network to interchange ideas related to integrating renewable energy into the agricultural and livestock sectors. Our project will support the development of technology-centered agricultural activities and make the local industry aware of new business opportunities.