Agri-food data spaces: Highlighting the need for a farm-centered strategy

Abstract

• The European Union (EU) is investing in developing Common European Data Spaces in several domains, including agriculture, pushing for a vibrant data market and data exploitation in the years to come. • The expected benefits for the farmers, representing key actors in the sector and potential data sources, still need to be further highlighted, calling for more in-depth research. • To shed some light on such a process, we explore data types, functions, and typologies of users in the agri-food context, having as reference the fast-evolving EU policy framework in the domain of data-related acts. • We present a use case to connect data and potential users, as well as guiding principles for a data strategy that can benefit different actors in the system. This paper explores the potential of digitalisation in agriculture to improve the sustainability of agriculture production and industrial sectors, contributing to the twin digital and green transition. These systems can facilitate and enhance competitiveness by leveraging on mutually reinforcing transformations. The European Commission has proposed the creation of Common European Data Spaces in specific sectors to support such a transition. We focus on the agri-food domain, considering farmers and other actors in the food chain. The aim is to identify needs, priorities, opportunities, and barriers to a Common European Data Space for agriculture and food systems, thus going beyond the sectoral European Data Space for agriculture already under current development. In addition, this work looks at strategies for introducing the aforementioned novel data space and evidence of benefits for farmers, who are a key component of agricultural and food systems. To accomplish this, the concept of data spaces is presented, analysing main components, functions, and potential challenges and opportunities for data sharing and reuse, with the agri-food context as the main focus. It also presents current and future scenarios for data use at different decision-making levels, focusing on the specific role of farmers in the digital ecosystem. Additionally, it outlines the basic principles for an inclusive agri-food data strategy.

Topics & Concepts