A revolution is quietly unfolding in the fields of Europe – but it's not a rebellion with pitchforks and torches, but drones and data. Innovation, the invisible hand guiding this transformation, is sowing the seeds of a new agricultural era, it says Euractiv.
Throughout human history, agriculture has been instrumental in addressing some of humanity's most pressing challenges by increasing food production to levels many thought impossible. Now, the contours of traditional farming are being redrawn by harnessing processing power instead of horsepower.
AI and IoT-powered precision agriculture replaces guesswork with data-driven decisions, optimizing yields and conserving resources. Biotechnology unlocks the genetic potential of crops by fortifying them against climate change and pests.
Vertical farming, a testament to human ingenuity, challenges the very notion of 'field', turning urban landscapes into food factories. This wave of innovation is not only reshaping agriculture, but also redefining our relationship with food, nature, and ultimately ourselves. Technological breakthroughs are cultivating a future of abundance and sustainability.
Food systems, complex challenges
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Climate Change and Land Use estimates that one-fifth to one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions are due to our food systems: 9-14% are caused by crop production and farm livestock, 5-14% of land use and 5-10% of the food production value chain.
In Europe, agriculture contributes to more than 10% of total EU greenhouse gas emissions and is a leading cause of biodiversity loss and fresh water consumption. It is the fourth largest sector to have made little progress in mitigating its environmental impact since 1990.
Through its European Green Deal, the EU has committed to reducing emissions by 55% by 2030 and becoming a carbon-neutral continent by 2050. An interim target of a 90% net reduction in emissions by 2040 has also been set.
At the heart of the deal is the Farm to Fork strategy, which aims to make food systems healthy and sustainable. This strategy focuses on proven approaches in agriculture, often referred to as 'climate-smart agriculture'.
Fields of discontent
However, persuading European farmers to adopt practices to meet these bold climate goals has been met with resistance. Earlier in the year, farmers' protests broke out in many countries in Europe, expressing dissatisfaction over a variety of interrelated issues.
In response to protests and a reluctance to take unpopular decisions ahead of June's EP elections, the EU dropped at the last minute the target to reduce agricultural emissions from its 2040 climate roadmap. The proposal for an EU law was also withdrawn to reduce pesticides and the goal of farmers leaving some land fallow to improve biodiversity was postponed.
The European Commission's latest plan said "all sectors" should contribute to the effort, but removed mention of a possible 30% reduction in agricultural pollution between 2015 and 2040. The Commission also removed recommendations for citizens to change their behaviour. and the push to end fossil fuel subsidies.
While this decision may offer temporary relief to farmers and politicians alike, it also paves the way for a more "challenging" achievement of sustainable farming practices.
Collaborative and innovative solutions
Despite tensions in various European countries, a report by the European Environment Agency (EEA) found that farmers are adopting or trying to adopt several measures to reduce emissions from agriculture, many of which are part of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) .
Historically, this policy has focused on productivity and efficiency, often at the expense of the environment. However, it began to prioritize environmental protection alongside mining over time.
The report highlights several measures commonly supported by EU member states, including optimizing livestock diets, improving manure management systems, reducing the application of nitrogen fertilizers and promoting practices that improve soil carbon storage.
High infrastructure costs
The report also noted that the high costs of infrastructure improvements and a lack of knowledge sharing and support are still significant barriers for farmers willing to adopt measures to reduce emissions.
A World Economic Forum report assessing the current situation of EU farmers and the food chain and recommending a path towards climate-smart agriculture further supported these findings.
Like the European Environment Agency's report, the World Economic Forum's analysis found that lack of knowledge or available information is the second biggest barrier after high perceived investment costs.
On average, 70% of farmers surveyed reported seeking information about climate-smart agriculture. However, only one in four reported having a "good" or "very good" knowledge of the subject.
Increasing knowledge
Increasing knowledge is critical, as some of the key areas of opportunity identified in the report include innovation and technology, where focused efforts could significantly improve the adoption and effective use of climate-smart practices.
One such opportunity is the adoption of digital technology, the benefits of which include improved productivity, crop and soil quality, and more efficient operations. For example, by analyzing data from sensors, tractors and satellites, farmers can track crop and soil health, make planting decisions and precisely target fertilizer and water use to improve business efficiency, deal with wastage of fertilizers and reduce emissions, farm costs and water pollution.
European initiatives such as Farmtopia, for example, aim to make digital agriculture solutions more accessible and cost-effective for smaller farmers. SmartAgriHubs brings together startups, SMEs, business and service providers, technology experts and end users to drive digital transformation. The Farm Sustainability Tool (FaST) digital services platform is an application that aggregates spatial data specifically for farmers.
New technologies can help farmers achieve optimal results for their business and the planet. These include precision agriculture for input and water use, information technology, automation, robotics and decision support technologies that take the guesswork out of fertilization, pesticide use, irrigation and livestock management.