Answer given by Mr Wojciechowski on behalf of the European Commission
15.3.2024
Support for enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of farm operations by means of digital and data-enabled technologies is an integral part of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 2023-2027[1] which focuses strongly on knowledge, innovation and digitalisation.
Under their CAP Strategic Plans, Member States have elaborated digitalisation strategies outlining the intended use of CAP interventions such as investment support, eco-schemes and agro-environment-climate commitments, training and farm advice to help farmers adopt smart farming solutions, according to the national needs.
Precision farming technologies such as sensors, drones and satellite imagery can help optimise the use of inputs by supporting the collection and analysis of real-time data such as soil moisture, nutrient levels, weather patterns and crop health.
Data can be used to inform crop management strategies including irrigation and fertilisation practices, leading to higher yields, and reduced costs and impact on the environment. T he development of the Common European Agricultural Dataspace[2] will allow farmers to further generate value from their data.
Through CAP support, the promotion of integrated strategies combining farming practices with digital technologies, could bring enhanced benefits.
The Commission works closely with the Member States to ensure the CAP Strategic Plans deliver on their digital strategies for the benefits of all farmers.
Opportunities offered by improved use of technological innovation (including digital solutions) is among the key challenges that will be addressed within the strategic dialogue on the future of agriculture, launched by the Commission on 25 January 2024[3].
- [1] Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 of the European European Parliament and of the Council of 2 December 2021 establishing rules on support for strategic plans to be drawn up by Member States under the common agricultural policy (CAP Strategic Plans) and financed by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) and by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1305/2013 and (EU) No 1307/2013 http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/2115/oj
- [2] https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/common-european-data-spaces-agriculture-and-mobility#:~:text=A%20common%20European%20agricultural%20data%20space%20The%20objective,improving%20economic%20and%20environmental%20performance%20in%20the%20field
- [3] https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal/agriculture-and-green-deal/strategic-dialogue-future-eu-agriculture_en