In a strategic move to enhance agricultural innovation, TALLHEDA, a Horizon Europe WIDERA project focused on advancing digital agriculture, has officially partnered with OpenAgri, a Horizon Research and Innovation Action project dedicated to bridging the gap between agricultural digital solutions (ADSs) and their widespread adoption by EU farmers. This collaboration, which begins in January 2024 and runs through December 2026, brings together a consortium of 18 partners from 7 countries, with the University of Maastricht leading the charge.
The OpenAgri project addresses a critical challenge faced by the agricultural sector: the significant gap between the availability of ADSs and their adoption by farmers. Despite substantial investments, factors like high costs, distrust in technology, and connectivity issues in remote regions have impeded the integration of these solutions into everyday farming practices. OpenAgri aims to overcome these barriers by developing a methodology and building an infrastructure that promotes the co-creation of open-source ADSs.
This collaboration will focus on developing a set of reusable open-source software services to empower farmers, advisors, and AgriTech SMEs in creating tailored ADSs. Through this partnership, TALLHEDA and OpenAgri will facilitate the creation of a vibrant community of farmers, IT experts, advisors, and Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS) actors. The goal is to co-create innovative solutions that address the specific needs of the agricultural sector, enhancing both sustainability and competitiveness.
One of the primary initiatives will involve piloting the co-created edge and cloud-based ADSs, comparing their performance in terms of effectiveness, energy efficiency, and adaptability across different biogeographic and socio-economic contexts. Additionally, the project will provide a decision-making tool for policymakers, farm advisors, and farmers, helping them choose the most suitable ADS model for their needs—be it edge, cloud, or a mixed approach.
By bringing together digital agriculture expertise and cutting-edge technology, this partnership will pave the way for a future where farmers have the tools they need to make data-driven decisions, optimize their operations, and boost productivity while ensuring environmental sustainability.
With OpenAgri’s focus on open-source innovation and TALLHEDA’s strength in digital agriculture, this collaboration is set to be a game-changer in the effort to modernize Europe’s agricultural sector and improve its long-term resilience.
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