We are pleased to announce that Dr. Franco Da Silveira is the winner of the AgriEngineering 2024 Outstanding Reviewer Award. The AgriEngineering Outstanding Reviewer Award is given annually to recognize reviewers who contribute their time to reviewing papers and display thoroughness, professionalism, and timeliness while doing so.

We are honored to interview Dr. Franco Da Silveira, providing an opportunity to delve deeper into his research journey and his insights on being a reviewer.

 I am currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), Embrapa Digital Agriculture unit—Campinas (São Paulo). I hold a Ph.D. in industrial engineering from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, a master’s degree in industrial engineering from the Federal University of Santa Maria, and a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the Regional Integrated University of Alto Uruguai and Missões. I am also a researcher at the Center for Science for Development in Digital Agriculture (CSD-DA/SemeAr: https://www.semear-digital.cnptia.embrapa.br/) and have received recognition for my academic contributions. My master’s research was highlighted in the COP 26 Special Issue: UN Climate Change Conference 2021 (RELX Resource Center and Elsevier), and my doctoral dissertation was recognized by the Brazilian Academy for Quality (ABQ) for its relevance to Brazil’s development. Additionally, my Ph.D. thesis received an honorable mention and second place for Best Doctoral Dissertation from the Brazilian Society of Agroinformatics (SBIAgro) during the XIV Brazilian Congress of Agroinformatics. In 2025, I was honored with the International Excellence in Agriculture - Leaders - Digital Agriculture Transformation award at the AgriNext Awards in Dubai, in recognition of my contributions to the digital transformation of agriculture. I also serve as an ad hoc consultant for research projects submitted to the Innovation, Science, and Technology Secretariat of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (SICT-RS), as well as a project advisor for the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP). I act as a reviewer for numerous peer-reviewed journals. These include Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture, HELIYON, Land Use Policy, Postharvest Biology and Technology, World Patent Information, Agriculture, Agronomy, Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, AgriEngineering, Smart Agricultural Technology, Drones, Sustainability, Technology in Society, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, and Land. I also serve as an external evaluator in the European Union-funded project “Promoting responsible TWIN transitions in European agrifood systems through INnovation and learning alliances (TWIN-IN)”. I am Editor-in-Chief of the upcoming international book “Agriculture 4.0: Towards a New Agri-Food Ecosystem”, currently under development with Springer Nature. My main areas of research and professional interest include Agriculture 4.0, Digital Transformation in Agri-Food Systems, and Emerging Agricultural Technologies.

I became aware of AgriEngineering during the course of my doctoral research while conducting extensive literature reviews on digital transformation and emerging technologies in agriculture. As I explored publications related to precision agriculture, smart farming systems, and the integration of engineering solutions in agri-food value chains, I frequently came across high-quality articles published in AgriEngineering. The journal stood out to me not only for its thematic alignment with my research interests, but also for its interdisciplinary scope—bridging agricultural science, engineering, and technology innovation. In addition to database searches, I also heard positive feedback about the journal from colleagues and fellow researchers working on similar topics. This further piqued my interest in the journal’s editorial direction and its relevance to global agricultural challenges. Over time, I began to follow AgriEngineering more closely, both as a reader and as a reviewer, recognizing its growing impact in promoting sustainable, technology-driven agricultural solutions. The journal provides a valuable platform for advancing applied research that addresses real-world problems in agriculture through innovative engineering approaches—something that strongly resonates with my academic goals and professional mission. Finally, I would like to sincerely acknowledge the invaluable support of the Digital Agriculture Research Center - Semear Digital and express my deep gratitude to the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) for funding this study under processes 2023/12215-3 and 2022/09319-9. Thanks to their continuous encouragement and resources, I am able to carry out my role as a researcher effectively, advancing important work in digital agriculture and contributing to the scientific community.

In the context of Agriculture 4.0, several research topics are poised to attract significant interest from the scientific community over the coming years due to their potential to reshape agri-food systems globally. First, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and big data analytics into agricultural decision-making processes will remain a central area of focus. These technologies enable real-time monitoring, predictive modeling, and optimization of farming operations, contributing to improved productivity and resource efficiency. Another promising research avenue involves the development and deployment of autonomous systems, including agricultural robotics, drones, and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), which are expected to play a transformative role in labor-intensive activities such as planting, spraying, and harvesting. The role of IoT (Internet of Things) and edge computing in enabling smart, connected farms will also be a growing field of interest. These technologies support the development of cyber–physical systems for precision agriculture, allowing for continuous sensing, data acquisition, and process automation. Blockchain technology and digital platforms for agri-food traceability, certification, and smart contracts are emerging as critical tools for building transparent and resilient supply chains, especially in response to increasing consumer demands and regulatory pressures for sustainability and food safety. Research related to energy-efficient technologies and climate-smart agriculture—such as controlled environment agriculture, vertical farming, and renewable energy integration—will also expand, particularly under the urgency of climate change adaptation and mitigation. In addition, there is a growing need for interdisciplinary studies addressing barriers to technology adoption, especially in smallholder and traditional farming contexts. These include sociocultural, economic, institutional, and policy-related factors that affect the successful implementation of Agriculture 4.0 solutions. Finally, as Agriculture 4.0 technologies continue to evolve, future research should also address their ethical, legal, and data governance implications, ensuring that progress is made in a way that is inclusive, equitable, and socially responsible. In summary, the convergence of engineering, data science, and agricultural expertise will continue to drive innovation in Agriculture 4.0, offering vast opportunities for impactful and future-oriented research.

My opinion on the open access model of publishing is largely positive. Open access democratizes access to scientific knowledge by removing paywalls, allowing researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and the general public to freely access research outputs. This accelerates the dissemination of knowledge, fosters collaboration across disciplines and borders, and can lead to faster scientific progress and innovation. Moreover, open access can enhance the visibility and citation rates of research, benefiting authors and their institutions. It also supports equity in knowledge sharing, particularly for researchers and institutions in low- and middle-income countries who may face barriers to expensive journal subscriptions. However, there are challenges, such as the financial burden of article processing charges (APCs) on some researchers, and concerns about predatory journals exploiting the model. Despite these issues, I believe that with proper regulation and support, open access is a valuable and necessary evolution in scholarly publishing.

From the perspective of a reviewer, my experience with your service has been very positive. The review process is well-structured, transparent, and supported by clear guidelines and reasonable deadlines, which facilitates timely and thorough evaluations. Communication with the editorial team is always professional and encouraging, contributing to smooth and respectful interaction. I particularly appreciate the journal’s recognition of reviewers’ efforts, which is essential to motivate and value the important role they play in maintaining the quality of publications. Building on this, I believe it would be an excellent initiative to create a formal acknowledgment, such as a “Reviewer of the Year” award, accompanied by an exclusive opportunity for the selected reviewer to join the editorial board. Moreover, offering the privilege to serve as a Guest Editor or Editor-in-Chief for a Special Issue focused on their area of expertise would further incentivize and reward dedicated reviewers, while enriching the journal’s content with their knowledge. Overall, I value the chance to contribute as a reviewer and feel that the journal respects and supports this critical role in scholarly publishing.

The manuscript review process is fundamental to ensuring the quality, integrity, and relevance of scientific publications. Several key criteria should be taken seriously during this process:

• Originality and novelty—The manuscript should present original research or insights that contribute new knowledge or perspectives to the field. Reviewers must carefully assess whether the work is sufficiently novel and not merely a repetition of existing studies.
• Scientific rigor and methodology—The research design, methods, and data analysis must be sound, appropriate, and clearly described. Reviewers should verify that the methods used are robust and replicable and that the conclusions are supported by the data.
• Clarity and 1uality of presentation—The manuscript should be well-written, logically organized, and free of ambiguity. Clear communication of ideas, including proper use of figures, tables, and references, is essential for readers to understand and evaluate the work.
• Relevance and scope—The study should align with the aims and scope of the journal. Reviewers need to assess if the manuscript addresses topics that are relevant and of interest to the journal’s readership.
• Ethical considerations—It is important to confirm that the research complies with ethical standards, including proper treatment of human or animal subjects, disclosure of conflicts of interest, and adherence to data integrity and authorship guidelines.
• Significance and impact—Reviewers should evaluate the potential impact of the findings on the field, whether it advances theory, practice, or policy. Manuscripts that can influence future research or real-world applications are particularly valuable.
• References and literature review—The manuscript should appropriately cite relevant and recent literature, situating the research within the existing body of knowledge and acknowledging prior work.
• Constructive feedback—Beyond judgment, reviewers have a role in providing constructive and respectful comments that can help authors improve their work, even if the manuscript requires significant revisions or is rejected. In summary, a thorough review process balances critical evaluation of scientific merit with constructive support to foster high-quality research dissemination. These criteria ensure the credibility and advancement of the scientific community.

Your journal already plays a crucial role in advancing research, but there are several ways it could further support researchers and the broader academic community. One important step would be to offer winners opportunities to join the Editorial Board or serve as Guest Editors for Special Issues in their area of expertise. This approach not only rewards excellence but also fosters professional growth and deeper involvement in the publication process. Promoting open science practices is another key area; encouraging authors to adopt open data, open code, and preregistration improves transparency and reproducibility. Providing clear guidelines and hosting dedicated sections for datasets and protocols would facilitate broader access and reuse of research materials. Additionally, offering educational resources like webinars, workshops, and detailed online guides on scientific writing, data visualization, ethical publishing, and peer review navigation would greatly benefit early-career researchers and those from under-resourced regions. Streamlining and increasing transparency in peer review processes—such as reducing turnaround times and adopting open peer review or publishing reviewer comments alongside articles—can further build trust and enhance the quality of feedback. The journal could also proactively curate Special Issues on emerging or interdisciplinary topics to stimulate innovation and position itself as a thought leader. Creating online forums or social media platforms connected to the journal would encourage networking and ongoing scholarly discussions among researchers, authors, and reviewers. Support for early-career researchers could be strengthened through mentorship programs pairing them with experienced authors or editors, guiding them through the publishing process, and improving their research communication skills. Additionally, promoting accessibility and inclusivity by encouraging submissions from under-represented regions and groups, and offering fee waivers or discounts for researchers from low- and middle-income countries, would foster a more equitable research landscape. Finally, facilitating post-publication engagement through platforms for peer review, commentary, and article-level metrics would maintain ongoing scientific dialogue and enhance the impact of published work. By adopting these strategies, your journal would not only enhance its role as a hub for high-quality research but also build a stronger, more inclusive, and dynamic academic community.