Precision
Agriculture and the future of farming in Europe
The study is
performed for the scientific foresight unit STOA (Science and Technology
Options Assessment) of the European Parliament (EP). The study is
forward looking, and supports members of EP.
The overall purpose of the project is to identify legislative
pathways for the EU Parliament towards an sustainable, efficient and
competitive agriculture in the EU, and for supporting development
of skilled workforces in the farming sector in the EU.
The study
consisted of the preparation of 6 briefing papers for 6 different topics
as Technical Horizon Scan, and subsequently to develop a envisioning
report and to develop scenario's with a foresight team including social
scientists. See here the main STUDY
PAGE LINK
The Technical
Report on the study on Precision Agriculture (274 pages!) can be
downloaded HERE
Further
information on the study is published on the STOA website and is online
accessible HERE
The final results
were presented at the STOA panel and for members of the European Parliament
AGRI Committee in Strasbourg and can be viewed HERE
A video compiled
to illustrate the key findings of the study can be viewed HERE
Technological
advances in modern agriculture are incorporated on the following topics:
- available
Precision Agriculture practices with the barriers and opportunities (including
costs and benefits, and feasibility on farms of different scale and type) and
related legislation
- Information
and Communication Technologies (ICT)(computer science, data management,
integrated systems), including issues such as data ownership and use of
collected data
- Advanced
machinery: auto-steered equipment, robots, drones
- Alternative
education systems for compensating school dropouts (Internet-based courses, self-learning
(computer-based modules), mentoring…
-
Environmental management (sustainable use of water, efficient use
of land, yield optimization, energy) also looking into data about the
environmental impact of precision farming;
- Managerial
skills for competing on global markets/trade;
- Benefits
of the 'service industry' developed to support PA for other economic sectors in
Europe.