Every field is unique, with variations in soil composition, moisture levels, and nutrient needs. Traditional farming methods struggle to account for these differences, often leading to inefficient input use and unnecessary costs. As agriculture becomes increasingly data-driven, farmers are adopting precision agriculture tools to optimise decision-making and enhance productivity.
One of the most transformative innovations in this space is Variable Rate Technology (VRT). By enabling precise application of fertilisers, pesticides, and water based on real-time field conditions, VRT helps farmers reduce waste, increase yields, and minimise environmental impact. Through the 4Growth project, we are actively monitoring the adoption of VRT and other digital technologies across Europe to understand their potential and challenges.
VRT is a precision agriculture approach that tailors input application to the specific needs of different areas within a field. Using GPS, sensors, remote sensing data, and mapping technologies, VRT ensures that inputs are applied at the right rate, in the right location, and at the right time.
There are two primary types of VRT implementation:
VRT adoption is gaining momentum across various agricultural sectors, particularly in large-scale commercial farming. While cereal production has been an early adopter of precision farming technologies, other sectors—including vineyards, vegetable farms, and commercial greenhouses—are increasingly leveraging VRT to improve efficiency and sustainability.
In controlled environment agriculture (CEA), VRT is essential for optimising inputs. Systems like SMART CROP are widely used in greenhouse farming, where precise water, fertiliser, and pesticide control is critical for sustainable production. In regions like Flanders, approximately one-third of farmers now utilise Variable Rate Application (VRA), reflecting a strong shift towards data-driven farming practices.
The benefits of VRT extend beyond just efficiency gains—its impact on profitability and sustainability makes it an attractive solution for modern agriculture.
Despite its advantages, several challenges hinder the widespread adoption of VRT. High initial investment remains a significant barrier, as the cost of VRT equipment, software, and complementary systems like GPS units can be prohibitive, especially for smallholder farmers. Additionally, technical complexity presents another challenge, as many VRT systems require specialised knowledge, including the creation of prescription maps and data interpretation, which can be daunting for farmers unfamiliar with digital tools.
Interoperability is another obstacle, as compatibility issues between different manufacturers’ systems often require farmers to integrate multiple technologies, complicating the adoption process. Furthermore, a digital skills gap persists, with many farmers requiring training to effectively utilise VRT. Since the technology demands a certain level of computer literacy, additional efforts are needed to support farmers in acquiring the necessary expertise. Addressing these barriers is essential to ensuring broader adoption and maximising the benefits of VRT across agricultural sectors.
VRT systems leverage location data, primarily from GPS RTK, alongside satellite imagery, IoT sensors, cameras, and GNSS positioning to deliver real-time insights into field conditions. Remote sensing maps, such as soil maps, play a crucial role in guiding variable-rate applications, while yield maps help estimate production potential and optimise input dosing. Cloud-based platforms provided by technology suppliers facilitate data storage, tracking, and monitoring, ensuring precise adjustments based on environmental and crop growth data. Although web-based cloud portals are becoming more common, manual data transfer methods like USB sticks remain widely used in farm operations. Ultimately, VRT enhances efficiency by integrating GPS and sensors to optimise resource use dynamically.
As precision agriculture continues to evolve, VRT will play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of sustainable and digital farming. Addressing adoption barriers, particularly cost, technical complexity, and digital literacy, requires collaborative efforts between technology providers, policymakers, and farmers.
At 4Growth, we are committed to uncovering how digital technologies like VRT are transforming agriculture and forestry in Europe. Our research explores both the potential of VRT and the challenges faced by farmers across different regions.
What are your experiences with VRT? What challenges or benefits have you encountered? Join the conversation and help shape the future of precision agriculture! Share your insights through our survey: https://wur.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3ZYlHCXhpiDJyyq
Stay tuned as we continue to explore the digital landscape of European agriculture, providing data-driven insights that help us all grow smarter and more sustainably.
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