34 - Exploiting the potential of digitalisation for the agrifood sector

Programme manager:

Programme director:

Objective

To harness the potential of information and communication technology for the management and monitoring of agricultural production systems at field and farm level and to utilise them in a meaningful and responsible way. A wide variety of data sources should be used to systematically characterise and control the processes of agricultural systems. The methods, models and infrastructure required to achieve this should be further refined.

• Specific objectives

  The following technologies should be used to improve the monitoring and management of agricultural production systems:

  • Data sources and intelligent tools: many agricultural processes are managed imprecisely due to a lack of measurement parameters. Major advances in sensor and information technologies should be skilfully exploited without delay for the benefit of the agrifood sector. Corresponding sensor-actuator systems will be developed primarily in collaboration with relevant partners.
  • Data and algorithms: Agroscope uses new data analysis opportunities such as machine learning and big data to better characterise complex agricultural systems and support decision making. Special emphasis is placed on the interpretability of models and the benefits for farming practice.
  • Computer vision is established within Agroscope as a standard process for making apps for identifying crows, insects, damage and weeds available to farmers. In addition, the potential of the latest developments in the field (e.g. transformers) should be meaningfully exploited for agriculture.
  • IoT applications: Internet of Things (IoT) platforms such as Agrometeo are further developed and efficiently utilised throughout Agroscope for implementing new models and services. Concepts for improving farm management systems are developed which support farm management tasks and verification requirements (agricultural policy measures, labels). IoT applications serve different types of farm from lowland to mountain regions.
  • Cost-benefit analysis of available digital solutions to support decision-making, including consequences and risks of digitalisation. Specific projects should also address the economic and social implications of digitalisation.
  • Digitalisation coordination platform: the aim is to provide an overview of the status of research at Agroscope and the uptake of digitalisation on farms.

Expected outcomes

New digital solutions improve the sustainability and efficiency of production, provide valuable data for monitoring and agricultural extension and give deeper insights into agricultural production systems. In addition, the use of advanced digital technologies increases Agroscope’s scientific output.

Projects

Read more