Editorial


The booming of ICTs in all aspects of human life has significantly re-structured the
current socio-economic environment with the provision of innovation. Various new
technologies have recently emerged in the convergence of different IT-systems
aiming to meet the needs of the modern society in goods and services while
protecting the environment. Moreover, technology is now transforming in
digitization of equipment, of processes, of structures and of business models that
provide huge opportunities to those engaged in the agrifood sector, in the protection
and preservation of the environment, and in sustainable development and rural
planning.
   In that context, ICT related research applications, innovative methodologies and
practices have been presented and discussed during the 7th International Conference
on Information and Communication Technologies in Agriculture, Food, and
Environment (HAICTA 2015).
   These proceedings contain peer reviewed research papers accepted for
presentation at HAICTA 2015, which was held on September 17-20, 2015, in
Kavala, Greece.
   HAICTA 2015 constitutes a leading bi-annual international professional and
scientific forum for IT-experts, geotechnical and agrifood scientists,
environmentalists, foresters, water engineers, spatial engineers, and decision-makers,
to present research works, contributions and recent developments, current practices
and innovations, to suggest questions and issues, and to start a productive
debate. Furthermore, another emphasis is put on the applicability of ICT solutions to
real industry cases and the respective challenges.
   129 papers were initially submitted from scientists from 21 countries. After a
double blind review process by at least two members of the Program Committee of
HAICTA 2015, 108 papers were finally accepted for presentation and publication in
the conference proceedings (83.7% acceptance rate). The included papers highlight
new tools, techniques and processes critical for the enhancement of agrifood and
environment through information and communications technologies. Most of the
papers represent academic research viewpoints while they equally discuss
contemporary technologies, emerging research applications and future potential.
   These proceedings merge agricultural, food and environmental sector topics with
modules of Information Technology aiming to establish successful communication
channels, essential for sustainable decision making in agriculture, food and the
environment which consecutively contribute to productivity, competitiveness and
sustainable development.
   The Hellenic Association for Information and Communication Technologies in
Agriculture, Food and Environment (HAICTA) marks this year 18 years of
existence; the first conference took place in 2002. The conference’s prestige grew
over the years -mainly from an organizational aspect- arousing the interest of
national and international institutions to become conference partners.




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   We would like to thank the authors and HAICTA participants for their
contribution to these proceedings and who continue to participate in HAICTA
scientific community. We would also like to thank the reviewers, members of the
Programme Committee, for ensuring the Proceedings quality. We are also grateful to
the invited keynote speakers Prof. Remigio Berruto, Dr. Nicolai Fog Hansen and
Prof. Panos Pardalos, who agreed to share their ideas and research with HAICTA
community through their inspired lectures. We would also like to thank the
Organizing Committee Chairs, Conference Chairs and Conference Secretariat for
their continuous help to our task.
   We hope that these proceedings will promote the HAICTA focal scientific areas
and contribute the challenges for the integration of innovative and advanced ICT
technology, practices and emerging research applications towards environmental and
agricultural sustainable development systems while it will enhance a constructive
discussion within the scientific community.



                                    The Editors,


   Prof. Zacharoula Andreopoulou                    Prof. Dionysis Bochtis

 Aristotle University of Thessaloniki                 Aarhus University




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