Why we need better on-farm data – and how to get there

As challenges mount within the food and beverage sector, the need for enhanced visibility at the farm level has never been more crucial

Companies are grappling with the complexities of fluctuating crop yields, diminishing soil health, and escalating threats posed by pests and diseases. Simultaneously, the increasing influence of legislation and heightened scrutiny necessitate clear reporting verification for sustainable sourcing efforts. In this landscape, businesses urgently require innovative solutions to enhance crop yield sustainably, de-risk their supply chains and ensure transparent reporting.

To explore these issues, Agmatix and Innovation Forum convened a webinar, bringing together stakeholders in the agri-food industry to discuss the transformative potential of on-farm data technology as a key solution for businesses aiming to overcome obstacles and foster sustainable crop cultivation.

To follow is a summary of the key points, challenges and solutions discussed. To watch the webinar recording click here, or to listen as a podcast click here. You can also click here for a full list of online questions asked during the webinar.

Summary

Stakeholders in agricultural supply chains are facing increasing challenges. Growers are faced with fluctuating crop yields due to unpredictable weather and climate-related events such as warmer temperatures, water stress and soil degradation.
Food and beverage companies face evolving legislation requiring detailed reporting – and companies operating globally are grappling with various requirements across different regulatory landscapes.
Global changes in consumer consumption habits, and trends of population movement away from farmlands to urban areas have significant implications for agricultural workforces.
On-farm data technology presents tools to understand challenges better at the farm-level to allow for informed decision-making. Data-driven approaches allow for the optimisation of inputs, thus supporting environmental sustainability, farmers’ profitability and mitigation of supply chain risks.
To harness the potential of on-farm data technology, there is a greater need for robust and efficient data collection and management systems for all actors.
A farmer-focused approach and flexibility to align with their context are crucial when thinking about data collection and management.
There is an opportunity for collaboration across the food and beverage industries, and for technology companies to drive digital transformations and overcome climate-related challenges.

The panel discussion focused around three key areas: farmer-focused approaches; financing; and, data collection, tools and sharing.

Farmer-focused approaches

Farms across all crop varieties face challenges of optimisation and risk profit loss.
A top-down approach of communicating data requirements by food/beverage companies to farmers can be seen as an additional burden and thus deter some farmers.
Company frameworks do not always accommodate for complexities across supply chains – and should not be a one-size-fits-all approach.
There is currently poor human rights monitoring of agricultural workforces.
Smallholder farmers lack support in the digital transition.

Solutions discussed

Data-driven agriculture: Embracing data-driven agriculture through technology such as precision farming, remote sensing, AI and machine learning can increase efficiency and profitability for farmers, optimisation of inputs and overall environmental sustainability. The Digital Crop Advisor tool created by Agmatix has technology that uses agronomic data insights to inform on-farm decision-making for growers to optimise crop yield, nutrition and profits.
Understanding farmer needs: Data management tools should be designed in partnership with farmers to best understand their needs and realities, including technological preferences, current methods and key challenges they face. For example, McCain Food’s Thriving Communities programme provides a space to listen to the social needs of farming communities.
Feedback and transparency: Mechanisms for continuous feedback and transparency, such as farmer-led groups, can ensure alignment with corporate reporting targets and address challenges effectively.
Trials and pilots such as McCain Food’s Farms of the Future allow for incubation to test new technologies and regenerative agriculture practices on farms, with the aim of sharing knowledge and lessons learnt with farmers before implementation.
Education: Oatly uses its Regenerative Farm Framework as a tool to educate farmers on the things they will need to know around topics such as soil health improvements and biodiversity, and also communicate the socio-economic benefits that these improvements would have for the farmer, generational family businesses and wider communities.
Adaptive frameworks: Food and beverage companies should implement adaptive frameworks to take into account regional contexts, diverse farming practices and communities. This will allow data-driven programmes to reach scale.

Financing

Data-gathering can be expensive and time consuming, placing an additional burden on farmers.
Farmers are already being impacted financially by climate change impacts and shifting markets.

Solutions discussed

Financial incentives for farmers that contribute to their livelihoods can encourage the gathering of data.
Yearly subscription models could allow farmers to engage with data tools in a cost-effective way.
On-farm data can support farmers to receive better loans from financial investors and credit institutions.

Data collection, tools and sharing

There is a need to understand the differences in data types currently being documented.
Standardised frameworks and systems can allow for data sharing.
A digital transition for farmers can be challenging as farmers have varying digital literacy.
Farmers may be resistant and have concerns about sharing data with companies due to issues of ownership, particularly for generational family farms with significant historical knowledge.

Solutions discussed

Leveraging on-farm data technology could better facilitate knowledge-sharing and communication. Agmatix digital agronomist tool enables field agronomists and growers to connect instantly, allowing easy data sharing, real-time advice and unique production recommendations.
On-farm data could directly inform the exact nutritional requirements to optimise fertilisers to match the requirement of the crop, thus supporting yield, overall sustainability, profitability of farmers and mitigating supply chain risks (variability for buyers).
Evolving AI and machine learning presents an opportunity for high levels of efficiency in data processing. Agamtix’s Digital Crop Advisor tool allows for processing of field data at global and regional levels, as well as filtering data to granular levels.
Data collection allows companies to scale programmes effectively and to target specific areas of the supply chain.
Remote sensing technology (using satellites) allows for data collection without disturbing farmers, however there are limitations such as the inability to gather soil health samples.
By giving value back to the farmer, they may be more likely to share data. McCain Foods provides farmers with simple, easy-to-read dashboard to show their farms performance based on the data they provide.
There is an opportunity for collaboration across food and technology companies to share perspectives in a pre-competitive way to scale innovations and progress.

Webinar panel

Maurizio Comandone, global sustainability data analyst, McCain Foods
Stacy Cushenbery, food system programme manager North America, Oatly
Jonathan Sullivan, vice-president, sustainability and business development, Agmatix

This webinar was moderated by Innovation Forum’s Ian Welsh.