Digitalisation and robotisation are challenges of the 21 century, and they will also influence the agriculture. Their aim is to optimise and increase production quality, reduce employment, and limit the environmental pressure. Innovative technologies, like the Internet of Things (IoT), satellite technologies, cloud processing, or artificial intelligence, will contribute to development of agriculture.
Currently, those solutions are used, for example, to monitor changes in soil characteristics, precise fertilising, or plant protection. Furthermore, they are also applied in automation of processes such as sowing, harvesting, or management of animals, and in monitoring the condition of crops and animals with sensors and telemetric systems.
Within the decade, the artificial intelligence will be widely used in the agriculture and will contribute to a significant reduction in costs. The use of AI in agriculture offers new opportunities for increasing productivity and sustainable use of resources in agriculture, as well as plays a crucial role in solving problems associated with food production.
The use of robotisation and artificial intelligence represents a real challenge to the agricultural sector, and the AgriFoodTEF project aims at assisting the industry in coping with it. It is an international project, with the primary purpose of supporting technological companies working for the food and agricultural sector.
‘Under this programme, we offer test, experimental, and technological infrastructure. It is a combination of physical and virtual facilities, in which suppliers of technologies will be supported in testing their latest AI-based software/hardware solutions. It involves support for the complete integration, testing solutions for troubleshooting/improvement of products and services in a given sector, including validation and demonstration in real environments,’ says Tomasz Jankowski, a representative of the Polish satellite of AgrifoodTEF.
Investing in modern technologies is cost-consuming, and this may represent a barrier, particularly for smaller entities or start-ups. The AgrifoodTEF programme responds to the market demand for digitalisation and robotisation services. In particular, it provides access to specialist test and research infrastructure and experienced experts. The opportunities offered by the programme include an objective assessment of company’s solutions and services, and development of a product focused on a specific market need.
AgriFoodTEF helps in development of artificial intelligence and robotic achievements for the agricultural and food sector. It also enables verification of outcomes in real conditions and at real facilities. Its partners include the Łukasiewicz Research Network – Poznań Institute of Technology, PCSS, and Wielkopolskie Agricultural Advisory Centre.
