Open source solutions for edge, cloud and mixed model applications to strengthen production and administrative capacities in agriculture

Digital and data technologies can improve the sustainability performance and competitiveness of the agricultural sector. There are still a number of factors hampering the uptake of digital technologies by farmers, including a lack of affordability of digital tools, a lack of digital skills and trust in data sharing, scepticism towards the “black box phenomenon” of digital applications and the lacking transparency in the development of algorithms, and the risk of vendor lock-ins. Digital solutions following the open-source principle can lead to reduced prices for digital applications and enhance transparency in production advice based on digital applications.

One frequent challenge to the use of certain digital technologies in agriculture, especially in remote areas, is weak connectivity, which hampers the full exploitation of their potential. Edge solutions may facilitate real-time applications also in areas with weak connectivity; they may, however, be run with less and/or other input data poten