European farmers are generally reluctant to share digital data for free and also reluctant to spend expensive digital technologies for precision farming: there is no fast internet in villages. European Commission officials are looking for arguments to convince farmers to invest more actively in innovative developments in the digital agribusiness complex.

According to Gael Marion, head of Environmental Sustainability at the European Commission's Agricultural Service (DG AGRI), digital technologies are at the heart of precision agriculture, which has received increasing attention in recent years as a way to optimise the use of agricultural inputs such as pesticides, fertilisers or water.

"The agricultural sector faces a double challenge. Firstly, the need for an ecological transition that protects natural resources and combats climate change and, secondly, the need to continue with food production. Precision agriculture is the key to this dual challenge," he explained to EURACTIV.

EU MEP Franz Bogovic, an apple producer, also in an interview with EURACTIV, praised the digitisation of the agro-industrial complex. For example, digital technologies can predict plant diseases based on weather conditions and therefore only predict treatments at the right time. Similar digital tools are also relevant for irrigation as they reduce unnecessary water consumption and make irrigation more efficient.

But despite the constantly cited benefits, the widespread adoption of precision farming methods in the European Union still faces serious obstacles. To use smart technologies, first of all, a high-quality Internet connection is required.

Source: Agrolink