The MINECROP project, titled “MINECROP. Using Minecraft game in VET to learn about sustainable CROP farming techniques,” is a two-year Erasmus+ cooperation partnership in the field of Vocational Education and Training (VET). It involves seven participating organizations from six different countries: Poland, The Netherlands, Greece, Romania, Spain, and Estonia. These organizations are working together to create innovative solutions for the agricultural sector through game-based learning.
The project’s main objective is to enhance VET in agriculture by integrating game-based learning as a tool to demonstrate sustainable crop farming techniques. This initiative aims to make learning more interactive and engaging, thereby improving the effectiveness of training.
The main results of the project will include the development and deployment of a customized Minecraft game that simulates real-world agricultural challenges and the creation of a comprehensive guidebook detailing sustainable crop techniques. These results are designed to provide practical knowledge and digital tools for VET educators and students, enhancing their understanding and skills in modern, sustainable agriculture.
The project’s methodology leverages the engaging nature of video games to present complex agricultural knowledge and practices in an accessible format. By using this game-based education, the project offers scenarios that require players to make decisions about crop management, pesticide use, and sustainability practices, thereby embedding deep learning through interactive experiences.
The project’s target groups are VET trainers and educators in agriculture, aiming to assist them in enriching their courses with interactive content that helps students become skilled farmers and entrepreneurs focused on sustainable practices. The project also targets VET students in the agricultural sector across the six partner countries (Poland, Netherlands, Romania, Greece, Spain, and Estonia), providing them with a practical and engaging learning environment.
The secondary target group includes self-employed farmers, agricultural entrepreneurs, and representatives from the agricultural sector, who will benefit from the project’s innovative approach to training and development. Additionally, the project aims to reach individuals in vulnerable or disadvantaged situations, such as those in remote or rural areas, women, people with low skills, and minorities, including migrants and refugees, ensuring inclusivity and broad access to the training provided.
The consortium of participating organizations in the MINECROP project holds the main responsibility for proficiently overseeing the organizational, legal, and financial facets of the project. This collective consortium commitment extends to ensuring adherence to obligations and accountabilities stipulated by the European Commission. Through the implementation of this project, all partners are expected to strengthen their skills and competencies, develop and broaden cooperative relationships at the European level, understand the challenges and problems that the project aims to address, transfer good practices, knowledge, and experiences, and train the capacity to learn new methods and strategies for project approach.
During this project, the partners will implement the following activities:
WP1 – Project Management: The Management Handbook and the Quality Assurance & Evaluation Plan will be created to monitor the progress.
WP2 – Raising Awareness of Sustainable Crop Farming Techniques: This work package aims to raise awareness of sustainable crop farming techniques by developing and disseminating a training framework focused on ‘climate-friendly’ agriculture, along with comprehensive guidelines for sustainable techniques. The objective is to equip agricultural educators, farmers, and stakeholders with the knowledge and tools necessary to implement environmentally responsible farming practices. This will involve creating detailed educational materials, organizing workshops and seminars, and engaging directly with the agricultural community to promote the adoption of these practices. Additionally, the work package will focus on fostering a deeper understanding of the impact of agriculture on the climate and how sustainable practices can contribute to environmental conservation and improved crop yields.
WP3 – MINECROP Minecraft World: This work package aims to leverage the educational potential of Minecraft to foster responsible crop management and support ICT/game-based teaching to address current challenges in agriculture. WP3’s goals include delivering innovative agricultural education to VET students through national validation sessions, increasing awareness of the integration of virtual reality with sustainable agriculture practices, and providing interactive methods for testing farming skills. Additionally, it seeks to offer attractive, non-formal educational tools for farmers lacking training in environmentally friendly techniques and to equip VET educators with the necessary resources to implement the MINECROP World in their curricula. This comprehensive approach aims to increase youth involvement in farming, enhance sustainable practices, and support educators, ensuring the continuity and expansion of project impacts beyond its conclusion.
WP4 – Promoting and Sharing: Dissemination, Communication, and Exploitation: WP4 aims to effectively showcase, share, and promote the project’s results, particularly the Guidebook for Sustainable Crop Techniques and the MINECROP Minecraft World, along with instructional materials for VET trainers. These efforts are designed to foster a green culture within the agriculture sector and introduce innovative training methods through gamification. The work package seeks to engage a wide range of target groups and stakeholders, including VET trainers, educators, students, and various professionals within the agricultural sector, with a special focus on attracting young people to agricultural education. Additionally, WP4 aims to increase awareness of MINECROP and maximize its impact across local, regional, national, and European levels, addressing critical issues such as education gaps, climate change, and innovation deficits in EU agriculture. Long-term use and sustainability of the project’s outputs are prioritized to ensure ongoing benefits. Moreover, WP4 includes coordinating with other projects and networks within the agricultural and VET education sectors to enhance focus on innovation, gamification, and green skills, ultimately fostering the creation of more consortia and initiatives inspired by MINECROP.
In conclusion, the MINECROP project represents a significant step forward in the field of agricultural education, combining traditional and innovative methods to provide comprehensive, engaging, and practical training. By focusing on sustainability and leveraging the power of game-based learning, MINECROP aims to equip the next generation of farmers and agricultural professionals with the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the challenges of modern agriculture.
