Organic farmers are being encouraged to embrace ‘internet of things’ (IOT) technologies and lead from the front in a major European scheme that aims to increase on-farm sustainability and competitiveness.
Delegates at a special seminar at last week’s Biofach event, heard that the organic farming non-profit IFOAM EU is partner of the Internet of Food & Farm 2020 initiative. Backed with €35 million in EU funding, the four year project involves five trials – in arable, dairy, fruits, vegetables and meat – and 19 use-cases.
Introducing the session, IFOAM EU director Eduaro Cuoco, said that as well as contributing to the tracking and tracing of key farming parameters, IOT could help strengthen the economic position of organic farmers and help grow direct farmer-to-consumer business.
Christina Micheloni, from the Italian organic association AIAB, explained that in-field technology could monitor crop growing, trigger irrigation and enable precision weeding. In meat and dairy, the technology would be used to for welfare purposes – access to water, feed and free movement – and to raise product quality.
Agronomist and winemaking specialist Matteo Balderacchi explained his contribution to the development of a virtual reality (VR) cellar, using augmented reality (AR) technology. Simulating real-life winery conditions would allow precise monitoring of growing and cellar stage processes, reducing energy and water costs.
Micheloni said that questions needed to be asked about possible downsides to wide scale adoption of the technology. “For organic, does IOT represent support or a clash?”. She acknowledged that the technology could lead some job losses, but said that if ultimately “more hectares go under organic production, then the overall effect is beneficial and a good thing.”
Noting that organic farmers are on average younger than their conventional counterparts, and therefore often more open to embracing the new technology, she added: “This is a collective opportunity that brings benefits to areas and regions, not just single farms.”