Abstracts of the 10th Conference of the Italian Society of Agricultural Engineering

it is my pleasure to welcome you to the 10th AIIA Conference: “AIIA13 – Horizons in agricultural, forestry and biosystems engineeringâ€, and to welcome you to Viterbo. For the first time the AIIA conference will be held in English. The purpose of this choice is to involve academics and researchers coming from other nations. This conference will then be a unique opportunity for scientists, researchers, experts, students and people representing the business world to show, share and discuss the results of their researches. Another goal of this conference is the promotion of the cooperation and networking in the field of Biosystems Engineering, also trying to include the business world in it. By doing that, we will be able to take on the new challenge of Horizon 2020, the new European Framework Programme. This programme attributes a capital and fundamental role to research and innovation, seen as important means to guarantee an intelligent, sustainable and comprehensive growth to Europe. Horizon 2020 is articulated on 3 strategic objectives 1) Excellent science, intended to secure Europe’s leadership in science worldwide. 2) Industrial Leadership , aimed at supporting research and innovation of European industry, with a strong focus on industrial technologies and investments for SMEs, 3) Societal challenges , aimed at tackling major global challenges in the following areas: health, demographic change and wellbeing, food security, sustainable agriculture, secure, clean and efficient energy, smart, green and integrated transport, climate action, resource efficiency and raw materials, inclusive, innovative and secure societies. In all these fields Agricultural, Forestry and Biosystems Engineering in the coming years will have a major role. I conclude by saying that AIIA13 is also an opportunity to know the Tuscia, a still intact territory, in which culture and respect for the land, innovation and tradition come together in a truly original model of sustainable development. I wish all the participants a pleasant stay in Viterbo and Italy. In closing this brief greeting I want to thank: - CEFAS, Special Agency of the Chamber of Commerce, for the logistic support to the Conference, - the Tuscia University, which offered the beautiful and historic seat of the Conference - the Ministry of Agriculture, the Lazio Region, the Provincial Administration and the Municipality of Viterbo, UNACOMA and CRA-Ing, for their support, - CIGR and EURAGENG, for their sponsorship, - FACMA and Enama, sponsors of the Conference. A special thanks to the Carivit Foundation of Viterbo, whose contribution has enabled the printing of the Conference Proceedings.