Innovative Virtual Reality Based Training in the Agri-Food Sector: Insights from METROFOOD-IT

The METROFOOD-IT project, developed under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), seeks to revolutionize the agri-food sector by leveraging advanced technologies to enhance digitization, traceability, sustainability, and transparency across food production and distribution chains. The project focuses on metrology as a key element to ensure food safety, quality, and authenticity. A vital component of the METROFOOD-IT project is its Training and Education (T&E) plan, which emphasizes experiential learning. By utilizing immersive virtual reality (VR), the T&E plan provides participants with hands-on experience in realistic, risk-free environments. This paper discusses the educational principles and approaches behind the T&E plan, particularly the use of VR to simulate real-world scenarios in laboratory and fieldwork settings. Through innovative content and training strategies, METROFOOD-IT aims to equip stakeholders with the skills needed to engage with modern agri-food technologies and promote the sustainable transformation of the sector.