To explore the transformative power of digital technologies in agriculture, LAB Velika Gorica partners recently gathered at the two-day international FSD conference “Digital Technologies in Sustainable Food Systems” in North Macedonia, 14-15 November 2023. The conference was organized by Green Growth Platform and AgFutura Technologies, this event brought together a diverse spectrum of companies, and public figures and provided abundant technical sessions, providing a comprehensive overview of digitization opportunities in agriculture.
Day one: The conference started with a presentation by the organizers and an interesting panel discussion that shed light on technologies and transitions for sustainability in the agri-food sector throughout the European Union and the Balkan region. Damir Lučić, Inventivna rješenja d.o.o. – Velika Gorica LAB, took the participants through the complex intersection of technology and sustainable practices. The first day ended with the first of five technical sessions of the event, where Mario Petkovski presented the topic of decision support for crop management.
Day two: Navigating Digital Technologies in Primary Agricultural Production Day two began with an enlightening presentation by Marc Brini, focusing on the impact of digital technologies in primary agricultural production and their role in fostering sustainable food systems. Technical sessions followed suit, featuring online presentations from key players such as AGRIVI, ABZInnovation (ABZ Drone), and Donau Soja Organisation. Discussions focused on ERP systems, data-driven equipment, and traceability measures, showing different aspects of digital integration in agriculture.
Key highlights and insights:
Panel Discussions and Round Tables: The conference provided meaningful interactions through presentations, panel discussions, and round tables. These engagements provided valuable insights into the journey of digital transformation across sectors, including public administration, education, and agriculture as they are all equally important for agriculture to keep up with all the opportunities.
Different perspectives on digitization: The presentations covered a range of topics, highlighting the multiple aspects of digitization in agriculture. From the use of technology in public administration to its impact on education and, of course, its transformational role in agriculture, participants gained a comprehensive understanding of the digital landscape.
Innovative solutions and best practices: Technical sessions featured presentations from leading companies, showcasing innovative solutions and best practices. From farm management platforms like AGRIVI to drone technology from ABZInnovation, the conference provided a platform to share cutting-edge technologies contributing to sustainable food systems.
Concluding remarks: The conference concluded with insightful presentations by GDiSkopje and GEOSENSE, emphasizing the key role of geospatial technologies in agriculture. The joint efforts of all sectors highlighted the importance of providing tools for growth and development to end users that enable them to make informed operational decisions and gain detailed insights into the condition of their agricultural land in a simpler and more accessible way.
The conference “Digital Agriculture in Sustainable Food Systems” in North Macedonia catalyzed cooperation, knowledge exchange, and research into digital solutions to solve challenges in agriculture. The shared vision of reducing costs, gaining real-time insights, and increasing agricultural production highlights the transformative potential of digital technologies in shaping the future of sustainable food systems. As these innovations continue to develop, the agricultural landscape is poised for positive change, promising benefits for both producers and consumers.
