In an effort to gain deeper insights into the adoption of digital and data-driven technologies in agriculture and forestry, 4Growth has produced a Digital Agriculture and Forestry Uptake Assessment Grid to gather field-level data via its seven observatories dotted throughout Europe. Available throughout the project lifecycle, this grid is a comprehensive standardised survey and is being used to document a plethora of variables regarding how agriculture and forestry value chain actors adopted digital and data-driven technologies. It delves into how these technologies integrate into stakeholders’ workflows, the costs associated with their adoption, and the prerequisites required, such as organisational structure, skills, workforce education, and more.
4Growth survey excerpt: costs associated with the adoption of digital technologies
The Assessment Grid also aims to unravel the socioeconomic benefits the adopters of technologies have experienced. These may include, among others, savings in inputs, regulatory compliance, and environmental protection. Data sharing practices are also analysed as well as information on how well the technologies meet evolving user needs and which are the perceived limitations.
The data gathered via the Assessment Grid will be used to fine-tune the assumptions in the Market Monitoring and Forecasting Tool (MMFT) that is being developed by LE Europe. The Assessment Grid itself is set to become an important capacity building tool offered to the wider community in a free and open access manner.
Originally developed in Excel, the Assessment Grid has been translated into an online survey available in English, Dutch, Finnish, French, Swedish, Spanish, Polish, Hungarian, Greek and Lithuanian. It has also been translated into all relevant languages within which the various Observatories operate. reframe.food have developed the Assessment Grid, while Wageningen University and Research are managing the distribution of grids via 4Growth’s seven Observatories.
4Growth invites all stakeholders, including farmers, foresters, technology providers, and policymakers, to participate in this important initiative. By contributing to the Digital Agriculture & Forestry Uptake Assessment Grid, you can help shape the future of digital innovation in these critical industries. Your input will not only provide valuable data but will also support the development of tools and strategies that benefit the entire sector.
To take part in the survey, please visit https://wur.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3ZYlHCXhpiDJyyq and share your experiences and insights. Together, we can build a more informed and resilient agricultural and forestry landscape across Europe!
