THE GLOBAL WINDOW OF TURKISH FOOD AND AGRICULTURE The Global Window of Turkish Food and Agriculture Sector
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The digital transformation of global agriculture is underway, with examples such as precise light control in Dutch greenhouses, satellite remote sensing in China, and blockchain tracking in Brazilian coffee farms. This integration of data and traditional methods is reshaping agricultural practices, overcoming production limitations. The challenges faced by global agriculture include increasing food demand, degradation of arable land, and climate change impacts. Mechanized methods increase carbon emissions, chemical farming disrupts soil ecosystems, and water management is inefficient, wasting freshwater resources. Digital agriculture is the solution to these challenges, building a new paradigm for sustainable growth. The technological architecture of digital agriculture consists of three interconnected layers – the digital agricultural platform for resource allocation and coordination, the intelligent application matrix for vertical solutions, and the digital infrastructure for key elements like IoT and positioning systems. This layered structure ensures an open and coherent technical ecosystem, creating a sustainable agricultural technology pyramid.
Deconstructing Modern Digital Agriculture from Three Dimensions…
When we examine the digital agricultural technology architecture from a vertical perspective, we see three distinct strategic levels, each with its unique functional characteristics and development logic. At the top, the ″digital agricultural platform″ is emerging as the central hub of industrial innovation. In the application layer, the ″intelligent application matrix″ is driving paradigm shifts in agricultural production methods. Meanwhile, at the foundational level, the evolution of ″digital infrastructure″ determines the overall pace of technological advancement across the system. This layered interaction resembles a ″trio sonata″ within the digital agricultural ecosystem—each part performs independently yet harmonizes to create a dynamic symphony of agricultural transformation.
Digital Agricultural Platforms…
When discussing digital agricultural platforms, leading examples like BASF’s Xarvio, Bayer’s FieldView, and Syngenta’s CropWise are well-known industry benchmarks. However, beyond these prominent enterprise-led platforms, numerous government and research institution-driven platforms are also playing a crucial role in advancing agricultural digitalization. These platforms contribute significantly to the development and widespread adoption of agricultural technologies.
Currently, global agriculture is undergoing a profound platform transformation, and digital agricultural platforms are evolving into a dual-track system: on one side, there are public-oriented platforms, and on the other, commercial platforms led by enterprises. Both types of platforms are creating distinct value networks, working together to drive the digital transformation and sustainable development of agriculture.
1. Digital Platforms with Public Attributes
The EU’s FaST platform and Uganda’s YoPay Agric system are examples of digital platforms with public characteristics that aim to improve agricultural practices and support farmers. FaST combines public and private data sources, including space data, to become a leading agricultural solution platform. It integrates agricultural data centres across Europe and uses machine learning and IoT technology to promote sustainable development and increase competitiveness in the sector. YoPay Agric in Uganda focuses on delivering agricultural services directly to rural farmers, improving access to information and decision-making tools. The International Semi-Arid Crops Research Institute’s ICT platform provides timely information and diagnostics to farmers through mobile apps. These platforms play a crucial role in bridging the digital divide, supporting agricultural development, and ensuring food security. In contrast, company-driven digital platforms are transforming agricultural production practices at a faster pace.
2. Enterprise-Led Digital Agriculture Platforms
Enterprise digital platforms, unlike public platforms, are commercially focused and play a significant role in the agricultural value chain. These platforms, developed by agri-tech companies, are driving advancements in agricultural technology. They provide precision services like crop management, pesticide application, weather forecasting, and soil monitoring, offering valuable tools for agricultural practitioners.
There are different categories of business-led platforms. First, there are those developed by agricultural input companies like BASF’s Xarvio, Bayer’s FieldView, and Syngenta’s CropWise. These platforms offer services tailored to crop growth and yield optimization. A second category includes platforms created by farm machinery manufacturers, such as John Deere’s JDInsight™, which focuses on intelligent connectivity and data analytics for farm equipment. Additionally, the Farmers Business Network (FBN) has emerged as a major player in the digital agriculture sector, providing important tools for agricultural producers engaged in digital agriculture.
BASF’s Xarvio platform is highly regarded and helps farmers optimize production management by providing precise data and decision-making support. Its key features include precision planting, smart pesticide application, and crop protection. Xarvio integrates various data sources like satellite imagery, weather data, and soil information to offer comprehensive farm management tools for monitoring and managing agricultural activities.
Bayer’s FieldView platform is another notable innovation in digital agriculture. It helps farmers make smarter decisions through data collection and analysis. Through modules like Gather Information, Create Recipes, Explore Fields, and Analyze Data, FieldView enables farmers to improve planting strategies, enhance crop health, and increase yields. The platform efficiently integrates weather data, soil quality, crop health, and pesticide use, providing comprehensive decision support.
Syngenta’s CropWise platform stands out for its adaptability to regional agricultural needs. With seven core modules, such as Commodity Pro, Planting, and Protector, it offers a comprehensive agricultural management system from planting to harvest. What distinguishes CropWise is its customizability to different regions; it is available in 48 countries across the globe, allowing Syngenta to tailor the platform to the specific requirements of each region.
Overall, business-led digital platforms have become essential tools in the agricultural sector. They offer a range of services to optimize production and enhance sustainability, contributing to the digital transformation of agriculture worldwide.
Source: agropages.com
