Author: Serafin Pazos-Vidal (AEIDL)
The final day of the 2024 EU Agri-Digital Conference was the third and last of the annual EU Agrifood Days organised in Brussels on 12 December by the European Commission Directorate General for Agriculture (DG AGRI). Bringing together experts, policymakers, and practitioners to explore the latest advancements and challenges in agricultural digitalisation.
This last session was held on the back of a raft of announcements by the Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen on the first day of the conference that includes a review of the Regulation establishing a common market organisation of agricultural products (CMO) and a new Regulation on cross-border enforcement against unfair trading practices. Furthermore the Commission also announcement at the launch of this conference the amendment of EU rules to lift the requirements on small amounts of State aid to the agricultural sector. These proposals aim to strengthen farmers’ position and restore the trust between actors in the agri-food supply chain. Since the last Agrifood days very significant changes were made to the existing Common Agricultural Policy as a result of the many concerns expressed from the farming sector.
These proposals directly reflect several recommendations of the Strategic Dialogue on the future of EU agriculture that were provided last September to respond to some of the most pressing challenges that the agricultural sector faces, including that of digitalisation of agriculture. The new Agriculture and Rural Development Commissioner Christophe Hansen, in his first attendance to this Conference, had previously reflected on the need to use the benefits of digital technology and tools to this end, while reducing the burden for smaller beneficiaries through simple schemes and closing the digital gap between younger and older farmers.
That was equally covered in the EU Agricultural Outlook 2024-2035 also presented at the start of the conference providing medium-term prospects for major EU agricultural markets, income and environment until 2035. The report highlighted digitalisation as one of the key avenues for agricultural modernisation. However agricultural technology is becoming more digitalised and automated, the report finds its consistent deployment will require a systemic approach, that goes beyond single machinery investments by farmers, an issue repeatedly echoed in the Agri-Digital Conference 2024.
Exploring the Potential of Artificial Intelligence
The first session featured Salla Saastamoinen, Deputy Director-General of the Joint Research Centre at the European Commission, and Catherine Geslain Lanéelle, Director for Strategy and Policy Analysis at the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission. They delved into the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in agriculture. Saastamoinen highlighted the role of AI in enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability, while Lanéelle explored strategic policy frameworks to support AI integration in the sector.
Digitalisation in Action – Experiences from the Field
Moderated by Anya Sitaram, this session focused on real-world experiences of digitalisation in agriculture. Vagelis Kyriakou, Lead Agronomist and Coordinator of the Anyfon Bio Producers Group in Greece, shared insights on implementing digital tools in organic farming. Tassos Maltezos, a farmer, discussed his experience with smart farming infrastructure. Clara Benito Pacheco, the 2023 EU Organic Award Winner for Best Organic Farmer (female) from Spain, presented her project “Entrelobas-Pastosalvaje.” Ryegård Cecilia, CEO of Foodchain by Blockchain in Sweden, and Trevor Boland, a suckler beef farmer from Ireland, also shared their experiences, highlighting the practical benefits and challenges of digitalisation in their respective fields.
Overcoming Hurdles – Unlocking the Potential of Digitalisation
This session, also moderated by Anya Sitaram, addressed the current level of adoption of digital tools in EU agriculture and the key challenges hindering further implementation. Alessandra Zampieri, Director for Sustainable Resources at the Joint Research Centre, European Commission, delivered a keynote speech on sustainable digitalisation. The panel discussion featured Elli Tsiforou, Secretary-General of COPA-COGECA; Prof. Dr. Engel Arkenau, Deputy Director General for Digital and Data Policy at the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Germany; Caroline van der Weerdt, Senior Consultant at TNO Innovation for Life; Stefan Top, President of the European Agricultural Machinery Association (CEMA) and CEO of AVR Machinery; and Evangelia Mourmoura, Team Leader for Digitalisation at the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission. They discussed strategies to overcome barriers and unlock the full potential of digital tools in agriculture.
The issue of standardisation, capacity and advisory services but also perceptions from farmers were recognised as key issues that farm modernisation and digitalisation of farming are needed, over and above financial incentives for digitalisation, precision farming, data management but also cybersecurity, given the growing trend of use and share of data in the farming sector.
Breaking Silos in Agriculture – Bridging Gaps through Data Sharing & Interoperability
The afternoon session, led by Sasha Twining, examined how data sharing and interoperability can enable seamless integration of systems and sectors in agriculture. Leontina Sandu, Head of Unit for Interoperability and Digital Government at the Directorate-General for Digital Services, European Commission opened this segment that featured practical examples with Kadri Koel, Head of Budgetary and Analysis Department at the Agricultural Registers and Information Board, Estonia; Jesper Stendal Sensen, Coordinator of the European Partnership “Agriculture of Data” at the Agency for Green Transition and Aquatic Environment, Denmark; Grigoris Chatzikostas from Reframe.food and partner in CSA AgriDataSpace, Greece; Jürgen Vangeyte, Director at the Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Belgium; and Wanda Verdonck, a farmer who shared her experience using DjustConnect to reduce administrative burdens. One of the issue that was consistently highlighted was the use of trust and significant variation that exist between countries and value chains. This has an direct effect on the degree and speed of digitalisation and data sharing, with a tendency towards more resistance and the higher need for detailed contractual arrangements where there is less of a pre-existing culture of trust.
Closing the EU Agri-Food Days
The conference concluded with closing remarks by Wolfgang Burtscher, Director-General of the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission. He reflected on the key takeaways from the event and emphasized the importance of continued collaboration and innovation in the agri-food sector, as the new Commission upon taking office on 2nd December is in full gear to table new “Vision for Agriculture and Food” during the first 100 days ¨to ensure long-term competitiveness and sustainability of our farming sector within the boundaries of our planet”, supported by the new European Board on Agriculture and Food that will also be launched.
