The Smart AKIS project is a Thematic Network, a particular format of multi-actor projects promoted by EIP-AGRI and funded by EU’s Horizon 2020 programme. The goal of the Smart-AKIS project was to collect existing knowledge related to Smart Farming Technologies (SFT) and to create a self-sustainable European Network mainstreaming SFT among the EU farming community.
The Smart-AKIS project assessed end-user needs and interests for Smart Farming Technologies (SFT) through the creation of a survey to identify factors influencing adoption of Smart-AKIS and to better understand farmers’ technological needs, interests and perceptions regarding SFT throughout the EU.
In total, 287 farmers using four cropping systems (arable crops, open field vegetables, orchards, and vineyards) and varying farm size participated in the survey from 7 different European countries (France, Germany, Greece, Serbia, Spain, the Netherlands and the UK). Results of the survey showed that farmers observe and are curious about new technologies, particularly the potential of SFT to help farmers overcome challenges in relation to reducing crop disease, improving soil health, reducing the use of pesticides, and enhancing weed control.
While farmers’ perception of challenges in agriculture was shaped largely by country-specific contexts, there was an overarching tendency amongst farmers to be uncertain about the ability of SFT to help overcome those challenges, with survey results indicating that they need more access to information about SFT, that existing SFT is too costly and not compatible enough with other machinery, and existing advisory services for farmers on SFT are insufficient.
While there is still work to be done to help bridge the gap between practitioners and research on the identification and delivery of Smart Farming solutions which meet the needs and interests of farmers and end users, data such as this survey can help to identify factors influencing adoption of AKIS, Smart Farming Technologies, and generating multi-actor, innovation based collaborations among different stakeholders.
Find out more about this innovation by contacting Leo at leo@erinn.eu.
