About: smart farming
EIB official: €200 billion needed to build broadband infrastructure in EU rural areas
In order for citizens in Europe’s rural areas to have broadband access to at least 100 megabits per second, approximately €200 billion will be needed, according to Harald Gruber from the European Investment Bank (EIB).
Precision farming ‘saved’ extra virgin olive oil, Greek producers say
Precision farming practices have helped Greek extra virgin olive oil growers keep overhead cost low and ultimately ‘save’ the product from mounting pressure on its market price, EURACTIV Greece’s media partner Ypaithros Chora reported.
CAP reform: harnessing the power of innovation for a greener EU agriculture
Agriculture in the European Union after 2020 must be encouraged to adopt innovative tools to meet growing environmental challenges, but this requires modernisation, money and knowledge, EURACTIV Poland reports.
Netherlands launches 2030 vision to protect biodiversity in agriculture
The Dutch government has launched a new vision for the country’s agriculture, which prioritises the protection of natural resources and the reduction of the sector's environmental impact.
Czech agriculture goes digital as science meets with farmers
Close collaboration between scientists, researchers and farmers has helped agriculture in the Czech Republic to take significant digital steps and increase its competitiveness, analysts told EURACTIV Czech Republic.
Industry calls on EU member states to show ‘clear commitment’ in smart farming
The EU manufacturers of agricultural machinery (CEMA) have called on member states to indicate a “clear commitment” to the digitisation of European agriculture as the only way to face the environmental and economic challenges. This message has also been acknowledged by the European Commission.
Greek minister: CAP budget should be maintained to ensure agriculture sustainability
If a proper balance between resources and obligations in the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is not achieved, the future of the EU agriculture and countryside will be uncertain, said Greek agriculture minister Stavros Arachovitis.
Minister: Digitisation of agriculture at the core of post-bailout Greece
The digitisation of the agricultural sector will be at the heart of Greece’s growth following the exit from austerity-driven bailouts, Greek minister Nikos Pappas told EURACTIV.com in a recent interview.
Greek plan to digitise agriculture wins EU approval
In an effort to break from its austerity-driven past and improve the economy’s competitiveness, the Greek government will soon present its national strategy for the digitisation of the agricultural sector.
Agriculture expert: Like organic, transition to digital farming needs support
Changing farming practices is always risky and if we want EU farmers to enter the digital era, we need to support them financially for a certain transition period, as has been the case with switching to organic farming, agriculture expert Luc Vernet told EURACTIV.
Agriculture digitisation not only for controls, stakeholders ‘remind’ the EU Commission
The much-awaited digitisation of the EU farming sector has taken centre stage in the last few years. But its ultimate application in the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is still unclear.
EU farmers ‘hostages’ of unstable politics and technology gap, report claims
The lack of access to modern technologies combined with the fragile political landscape has put agriculture production in the EU under enormous pressure, at a time when other major farm markets in the world are growing, a new report has found.
Sowing the seeds of the post-2020 CAP
In June 2018, the European Commission unveiled its much-awaited plans for the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). In light of the Brexit and the emergence of new priorities such as security and immigration, the Commission proposed a 5% cut in...
EU agri-food operators sign milestone data sharing deal
In a bid to speed up the exploitation of new technologies in EU farming, a coalition of associations from the EU agri-food chain signed on 23 April a joint EU Code of Conduct on sharing of agricultural data.
Hogan: 3 reasons EU farmers should take the risk and invest in agriculture
European farmers should invest in post-2020 agriculture as it will be less bureaucratic, more focused on “technology breakthroughs” and will improve their standard of living, EU Commissioner Phil Hogan told EURACTIV.com.
Hogan: Post-2020 CAP will ensure level playing field across EU
EU farmers should not fear a “re-nationalisation” scenario for the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy as the Commission is set to give member states more powers to implement their own CAP national plans, Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan told EURACTIV. But the...
Farmers say CAP simplification and digitisation will attract investment
A revamped European Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) with less paperwork and more long-term policy perspective focused on digitisation will attract more investment and more young people to the sector, EU farmers argue.
Precision farming position in the new CAP still unclear
New technologies will keep on receiving financial support in the Common Agricultural Policy after 2020 “possibly” under the current funding regime. However, it’s not clear yet whether precision farming will be linked to the direct payments pillar or to the environmental performance in general.
Farming debates in 2018: Innovation and the new CAP
In light of Brexit, there is no doubt that the future of the EU agricultural policy will dominate discussions in Brussels in 2018. But the need for innovation and the introduction of new technologies in the sector will spark intense debates and trigger strong reactions from green NGOs.
Digitising European farming equipment: The way forward for successful and sustainable farming?
Innovation and digitisation have become an increasingly important dimension in European farming to ensure profitable, competitive and sustainable products. Precision farming is becoming more and more of a reality across Europe.
Farmers welcome CAP simplification, wary of renationalisation
EU farmers have joined the debate on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy by stressing the need to simplify common rules, but they have vigorously rejected any attempt to renationalise the bloc’s biggest common policy.
Greek farmers highlight the need for advisory in agriculture
Greece needs new and functional structures and enhanced farm advisory services in order to give smart farming a boost, an agricultural expert told EURACTIV.com.
Agriculture expert: A ‘third body’ is needed between science and EU politicians
In order to rebuild confidence in EU decision-making, there is a need to establish a “third independent body” between EU politicians and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) as neither NGOs nor the industry can say whether a substance should be banned or not.