4Growth aims to contribute to the uptake of digital and data-driven solutions in agriculture and forestry by documenting the current state-of-play and projecting the future evolution of the sector. 4Growth will go above and beyond by making these insights available to the wider community via the 4Growth Visualisation Platform.
The agricultural sector holds profound importance in the foundation of both the European and global economies. The EU Green Deal, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the Farm to Fork Strategy all set ambitious targets towards environmental sustainability and economic viability of the sector in Europe, concerning areas such as reduction of the use of pesticides, increase in organic farming output and protection of soils. 4Growth aims to aid in our understanding of the uptake of digital technologies and the flow of agricultural data, which in turn will illuminate the future of the sector.
The forestry sector holds immense significance in fostering environmental sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and economic development. The EU Forest Strategy for 2030 sets the ambitions and foreseen contributions of the forestry sector to the Green Deal. This includes the promotion of sustainable use of wood-based resources, strategic forest monitoring, reporting and data collection approaches and incentives to protect and contribute to reforestation programmes. 4Growth analyses the use of forestry data and digitial technologies within the sector to minimise future investment risks and drive further adoption.
Understanding and forecasting the evolution of digital and data markets is paramount in navigating the rapidly changing technology landscape. In today’s interconnected world, where digital platforms help drive commerce, understanding market trends is essential for policy makers, farmers, foresters, and investors to adapt strategies, identify emerging opportunities and anticipate consumer behavior. Through this foresight, 4Growth strives to enable a multitude of stakeholders to proactively innovate, tailor their offerings, and remain competitive in an ever-evolving digital ecosystem.
Digital and data technologies play a pivotal role in revolutionising the agricultural and forestry sectors, ushering in a new era of efficiency, sustainability, and productivity. The integration of advanced technologies, such as precision farming and forestry, data analytics, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices, provide real-time insights into vegetation health, weather patterns, and ecosystem status, enabling farmers and foresters to optimise resource usage, minimise waste, and enhance overall operations. Additionally, digital tools facilitate seamless communication and collaboration within supply chains, connecting farmers and foresters with markets, suppliers, and researchers. However, a key challenge still remains in promoting to role of these technologies and the benefits they can provide to end users. Through 4Growth’s Visualisation Platform, the project aims to do just that.