Conference Agenda

Advanced information, communication systems and other digital technologies are transforming agriculture. Tools such as unmanned aerial vehicles, Internet of Things, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, monitoring stations, geolocation systems, remote and proximal sensing are enabling large-scale collection, transmission and use of digital data in farm management. These tools enhance decision making, improve efficiency and support more precise and context-aware agricultural practices. However, the increasing generation and circulation of digital information raises concerns about the sustainability of the virtual environment, defined as the software-based space where data storage, processing, and exchange occur. This contribution discusses Digitization Footprint as a methodological framework to quantify the amount of digital information involved in agricultural processes. The parameterization of digitization impact includes many aspects as data volumes, processing operations, transfer activities and the associated time, effort, and economic costs required for data storage, computation and communication. The framework considers the main components of agricultural data infrastructures (data sources, repositories and users) and links digital information flows to the availability and performance of digital resources, including storage capacity, bandwidth, and processing speed. Evidence reported from actual agricultural management case studies shows that dense data digitalization approaches can generate up to several GB/ha based on real-world experimentation.

Sustainable viticulture requires precise water management to mitigate the impacts of climate change and inherent spatial variability. This study evaluated the potential of multi-platform satellite remote sensing, i.e., Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2, and Planet, for monitoring irrigation uniformity and identifying drip system malfunctions. The methodology utilised Volumetric Water Content (VWC) derived from Sentinel-1 radar data and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) from Sentinel-2 and Planet multispectral imagery, comparing these satellite-derived indices to ground-truth catch-can measurements. Results showed that Sentinel-1 VWC enabled the immediate detection of soil moisture anomalies post-irrigation, achieving a high correlation with field discharge rates (R²=0.83), while NDVI captured delayed vegetative responses (R²=0.50 and R²=0.46 for Sentinel-2 and Planet, respectively). Although satellite-derived indices tended to overestimate uniformity compared to field measurements, Sentinel-1 exhibited the lowest bias. We conclude that integrated satellite monitoring offers a scalable and efficient alternative to labor-intensive manual methods. By facilitating the early identification of system malfunctions, this approach optimises water use efficiency and supports sustainable agricultural practices in regions with variable climatic conditions.

Efficiently managing high volumes of vegetable preservation residues poses significant economic and environmental burdens for processing companies. To address this, Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) offer an alternative bioconversion strategy for valorizing these waste streams into proteins and fats. Following the ISO 14040/14044 standards, this study evaluated the environmental impacts of using these residues as substrates to produce nutrient-rich products. Breeding trials were conducted in a dedicated pilot plant (1.58 t residue treatment per cycle) to identify the most optimized substrate composition. Experimental diets comprising tomato and olive residues, a Gainesville control, and exhausted sunflower oil-supplemented substrates were assessed for growth performance and conversion efficiency. The harvested larvae underwent nutritional profiling. Primary inventory data on bioconversion activities were analyzed. The Environmental Footprint 3.1 impact assessment method was used. Results showed average bioconversion and substrate reduction (dry matter) rates of 14% and 50%, respectively. The average crude fat content of larvae was 44% (dry matter basis). While electricity for climate control was identified as the primary environmental hotspot, scenario analysis indicates that integrating residual heat could substantially mitigate these impacts. The results highlight key operational thresholds for scaling bioconversion processes and demonstrates the environmental and technical viability of BSFL-based residue valorization.

Besides acceptance by end-users and society of practical solutions to reduce environmental impact in livestock systems, many other aspects are involved in their final effectiveness and contribution to sustainability goals. Based on our long-term experience in the Netherlands (>30 years), we built an analytical framework initially to understand the risks that reduce the effectiveness of environmental solutions in practice. To better understand the complexity, we analyzed and ranked (low, medium, or high) the following aspects at four system levels: 1) process level: involved physics, chemistry and microbiology; 2) (interaction with) animal, plant and soil level: their requirements for life and production; 3) farmer and farm level: his/her knowledge, skills and attitude, related economics and trade-offs, and 4) societal level: the interests of the wider environment and governance. For example, the risks for reduced effectiveness for low-emission manure application on arable soils were respectively scored as low-low-high-low; training and education of contractors improved the quality of the work and in the end reduced the high risk at farm level. In our presentation we will expand on the framework and its logic, present results of 5 examples and elaborate on its usefulness to predict risks in the design phase of mitigation measures.

The research investigates how agricultural cooperatives can develop business models around data services. It examines co‑op members’ expectations to assess whether cooperatives should build their own data‑analytics capabilities or rely on external providers.

The study applies the theoretical framework of the “make‑or‑buy” decision to big‑data services, drawing on the literature on transaction costs associated with outsourcing.

It analyzes the diversity and complexity of agricultural data analytics to identify opportunities for cooperatives to create value within agri-food supply chains, as well as the risks that other actors might capture that value instead.

A survey gathers the views of 50 members of a French co‑op on data services: perceived usefulness and the importance of data ownership and data‑processing rights. These insights help evaluate the make‑or‑buy dilemma.

Theoretical analysis provides a framework for clarifying the decision, while the empirical results shed light on members’ expectations and preferences. The study concludes by identifying the levers and limitations cooperatives face when developing data services.

Keywords: Agricultural Cooperatives, Data Services, Make or Buy, Ownership, Value Creation

To reduce agriculture’s dependence on high external inputs and their negative impacts (e.g. greenhouse gas emissions, reduced farm income and loss of biodiversity), the Technology for Ecology (T4E) paradigm was developed (Groot Koerkamp et al., 2021). This relies on using ecological processes within farming systems. Building on T4E, we developed a new design approach for future sustainable agricultural systems that include ecological solutions to prevent unintended side effects. Given the close link between design behaviour and mindset (Nakata and Hwang, 2020), it remains uncertain how the design approach can foster a transition towards sustainable system transitions.

The T4E approach extends the Reflexive Interactive Design (RID) framework (Elzen and Bos, 2019) through two major adjustments: (1) reframing system functions to more effectively identify ecological mechanisms as preferred solutions, and (2) adding a design iteration to identify technologies that may support practical on-farm implementation of these mechanisms. Application of the approach in dairy farming, arable systems, and greenhouse horticulture shifted design choices toward ecological mechanisms. Designers perceived that the designs reduced external inputs, improved farm income, and had fewer negative side effects. Future research will explore whether strengthening farmers’ ecological mindset can enhance the adoption of ecological solutions to their challenges.