On March 18, 2025, the ReForest Project, in collaboration with Path2Dea and D4AgEcol, hosted a webinar on digitalisation in sustainable farming as part of the Agroecology Cluster. The event brought together experts from research institutions, EU policymakers, and practitioners to discuss how digital tools can enhance decision-making, improve investment opportunities, and foster resilience in agroecological and agroforestry systems.
One of the key messages from the webinar was that digitalisation is not just about implementing new technology but about empowering farmers, improving advisory services, and ensuring financial sustainability in agriculture. The discussions underscored the growing role of data governance, digital platforms, and financial models in supporting sustainable farming.
Key Insights from the Presentations
Miguel Fernández (DG AGRI) outlined the EU’s Vision for Agriculture, emphasising that digitalisation plays a crucial role in supporting climate-smart and technology-driven agricultural transitions. The session explored how data-sharing frameworks, advisory services, and innovation-driven policies can ensure the adoption of digital tools across the sector.
Martin Lukac, ReForest’s coordinator, presented how digital platforms are unlocking investment opportunities in agroforestry. He showcased DeepRoots, a platform designed to connect landowners with investors, enabling new financial mechanisms for agroforestry expansion. He also stressed that while public funding exists, blended finance models are essential to achieving large-scale agroforestry adoption.
Evangelos Anastasiou (D4AgEcol) introduced the D4AgEcol Platform, which offers digital tools to facilitate agroecological transitions. This platform was highlighted as a key resource for data collection, knowledge exchange, and farmer decision support.
Tom Van Nieuwenhove (Inagro) and Iride Volpi (AEDIT) (Path2Dea) showcased technological tools compatible with agroecological practices, presenting practical examples from Belgium and Italy where digital innovations are helping farmers implement sustainable farming methods.
The second webinar in the series will be organised on 15 April 2025 to continue the discussion. It’s title is
“Digital Tools in Agriculture: Perceptions and Barriers to Adoption”
The event will focus on how farmers and advisors perceive digitalisation and the challenges that hinder adoption in agroecological and agroforestry practices.
More details about registration and agenda will be shared soon on the event page of our website.
Recording is now available on the ReForest YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AgroReForest
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