The Spanish agri-food sector wants to digitalise and robotise its processes

On June 12, the presentation of the study by the Observatory of digitalization of the agri-food sector "The digital transformation of the agri-food sector seen by its professionals" took place at the La Vega Innova innovation hub (access to the full study here ). The objective of the study: to analyze the perception of people who work in the agricultural, livestock and agri-food industry sectors with respect to digital transformation. The study concludes that people who make up the Spanish agri-food sector are very predisposed to technological advances such as robotization.

The agri-food sector wants...

Among the most important conclusions of the study, carried out through more than 3,500 interviews conducted between June and November 2023, is the interest of the sector's players in advancing the digitalisation and robotisation of their production processes. More than 90% of those surveyed want to robotise their activity. And more than 80% believe that this will help them lower their production costs. The graph shows in which areas they want to robotise their farms depending on the type of activity.

What technologies do farmers, ranchers and the food industry want to implement?

For farmers, Irrigation, Fertilization and Pests and Diseases are the areas in which they believe technology can bring the most benefits; while for livestock breeders, the most relevant technologies would be those applied to animal welfare, environmental conditions and feed distribution. For the agri-food industry, the most important areas are automation, quality control and packaging systems.

Sharing data

The study estimates that 89.4% of people in the agri-food sector are willing to share data with other stakeholders.

Considerations on the digital notebook

Regarding the documentary registry and food traceability, the primary sector seems to agree in favorably assessing the Digital Farm Book and the Livestock Farm Book, although it states that it is necessary for it to be completed by a specialized person. The agri-food industry, however, has automated traceability systems and is looking to blockchain systems for the future.

Speech by the Secretary of State for Agriculture and Food

The Secretary of State for Agriculture and Food , Begoña García , stressed during the presentation that “continuous improvement and looking beyond” is the only possible path for all those involved in the agri-food sector. She insisted that “once we experience how technology can be one of our greatest allies, there is no turning back.”

The importance of the practical application of innovation

For her part, the Director General of Rural Development, Innovation and Agri-Food Training , Isabel Bombal , highlighted in her speech the importance of La Vega Innova in continuous improvement and innovation in the agri-food sector. As a space for experimentation, it allows innovation to make sense by moving from the theoretical level to application. And it is one more example of the impetus that the MAPA wants to give to innovation and digital transformation, as are initiatives such as the Observatory of digitalization of the agri-food sector, the Digimapa and many others. The Director General wanted to convey that in the MAPA the actors of the sector will find accompaniment and support to provide certainty in a situation of change that is sometimes so disruptive .

To achieve this transformation, continuous training is essential. The study states that 87.5% of people in the agri-food sector have received training from technology companies, and two out of three people surveyed use sources from their company or organization and the external market to identify agri-food innovations.

Agri-food innovation startups

As a hub for connecting the different actors that drive innovation in the agrofoottech field, La Vega Innova hosts various initiatives from emerging companies that innovate in this field. On the 12th, the event was attended by leading players in the sector to briefly present these initiatives.

• Hyperplan : Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform that offers crop detection and monitoring solutions. In short, it provides visibility into agri-food production. Based on remote sensing, AI and meteorological data, it contains data on what is grown where and when . It can help seed producers or cooperatives to make informed decisions about their strategies. It even allows for weekly yield data and even forecasts.
• Plant on Demand : This is a social and technological innovation that supports the primary sector through a digital tool to improve the competitiveness and profitability of producers in the agri-food sector. Aimed at promoting short marketing channels, it proposes a disruptive idea: that public food purchasing be organised through technology to favour local producers .
• Sanzar : Based on satellite images, it offers SW based on machine learning that serves, among other things, for a more complete and precise risk assessment . It also optimizes the application of fertilizers, improving the sustainability and yield of crops.
• AON Chip : IoT company focused on optimizing water use in agriculture with irrigation sensors and controllers with long-range connectivity and low consumption for areas with communication limitations.
• ADA. Animal Data Analytics : Solution to increase biosecurity on farms, through a digital system that facilitates the control of visits and the authorization or not of these based on the farm's biosecurity needs and criteria . The data collected also allows for early warnings, knowledge of the viral load by area, detection of farms that super-spread biological risks, etc.
• Hiotera : Provides solutions to greenhouse owners through sensors, offering recommendations to optimize savings and yields in crop production . Beyond the simple sensor or basic interface, Hiotera interprets the data and provides indications for the best use of resources.
• Ficosterra : Based on biotechnology, the company has developed products based on algae and microorganisms that provide sustainable biological solutions that boost yield , strengthen crops and increase their resistance, optimizing investments.
• GURBAN : has developed maritime containers that integrate a vertical agriculture space in a controlled space . It is not designed to replace the production of any variety, but rather those in which it provides added value in a small and controlled space, for example, the production of edible shoots or flowers, although it can be used for a wide range of crops, from strawberries to fodder.