How can digitalisation support transformation towards sustainable agri-food systems? Scenario development in Lower Austria

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftArtikelBegutachtung

Abstract

CONTEXT: The agriculture and food system face challenges related to climate change, biodiversity loss, agricultural pollution, and food security. An environmentally and resource friendly development of food security is required at international and national levels. Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) offer opportunities to address these challenges and facilitate the transformation of agriculture and the food value chain.
OBJECTIVE: This research aims to identify widely applicable measures to support
digitalisation in order to promote the transformation towards sustainable agri-food systems.
METHODS: A foresight process was conducted in the case study region of Lower
Austria. The process consisted of seven steps and included data collection through desk research, internal project discussions and two workshops with regional stakeholders. Scenarios were co-created with stakeholders from different sectors, including industry, policy and research.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Five scenarios were developed: “Trend towards
flexibility”, “D4COOP”, “Specialisation”, “Agricultural industry” and “GIIRA (greatinnovative-intensive-reactive-adaptive)”. Challenges related to the digital
transformation of agriculture and corresponding measures to address these challenges were identified. The measures were summarized in the following thematic areas: (a) Technology, Research & Innovation, (b) Market & Business Models, (c) Financial Support, (d) Culture & Social Values, (e) Networks, (f) Competencies & Knowledge, (g) Infrastructure, and (h) Policy Framework.
SIGNIFICANCE: This research contributes to the identification of probable future
developments and to the elaboration of concrete measures by using foresight
methods, which can be implemented with the respective stakeholders in the case study region of Lower Austria. Utilizing the scenario technique helps to facilitate dialogue and identify future options for action and measures fostering innovation and research in addressing emerging challenges at the regional level. The findings provide insights for tackling the challenges of complex agri-food systems in deciding which issues to prioritise for transformation, encompassing policy, finance, education, and digital skills, with digitalisation as leverage point and sustainability as a key concern.
OriginalspracheEnglisch
FachzeitschriftAgricultural Systems
Volume224
Frühes Online-Datum6 Jan. 2025
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 2025

Research Field

  • Innovation Systems and Digitalisation
  • Multimodal Analytics
  • Exploration of Biological Resources

Schlagwörter

  • Digitalisation
  • Agricultural Systems
  • Sustainability transitions
  • Artificial Intelligence

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