The organisers noted: “Sensor-controlled, automated processes are increasingly available for developing greater sustainability in agricultural production systems and for quality control. These so-called 'smart farming' systems offer potential for more efficient, emission-reducing and resource-saving production methods, as demonstrated by the Agroscope Sustainability Conference.”

Agroscope says increasing productivity will be central in improving the competitiveness of Swiss agriculture, with more automated processes controlled by detectors offering the possibility of more efficient production methods. Furthermore, it notes, the increasing networking of these systems creates additional synergies.

The conference focused on the following key issues:

• Under what conditions do these new technologies add value to Swiss agriculture and food processing, including upstream and downstream sectors?
• How can these technologies be made profitable in an agriculture composed mainly of small farms, without creating additional stress or generating additional administrative burdens?
• What does Agriculture 4.0 actually mean and how is ‘smart farming’ accepted in practice?

A dozen presentations tackled these issues through topics such as the potential and possibilities in the field of remote sensing and plant phenotyping, examining what farmers want from smart farming, precise forecasting for sustainable crop protection and a look at what challenges could be better solved through smart farming.

For more information:

• Read a short article in English here
• Read a longer article in French here
• Read the complete story and access the presentations (in German) here