Description
CODECS is a Horizon Europe research project that analyses the costs and co-benefits of farm digitalization in real farming systems across Europe. CODECS works with farmers and Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS) actors to assess how tools such as precision technologies, farm management systems and data platforms affect productivity, profitability, environmental performance and social outcomes
Technology
CODECS is built around a web-based platform that hosts a meta-inventory of digital technologies, an inventory of datasets, and an impact assessment toolkit for agricultural digitalization. The platform allows users to browse catalogued digital tools, explore virtual demonstrations, storybooks and virtual tours, and apply structured methods to assess social, economic and environmental costs and benefits of digital solutions. CODECS combines these online components to the broader Living Lab digital ecosystem stack, such as soil nutrient scanners, greenhouse sensor networks, automated irrigation systems and other smart farming solutions, remote sensing, GIS, GPS, cloud and big-data infrastructures, and AI that support data collection, integration and evaluation of digital ecosystems across pilots.
Target
CODECS is a multi-actor project designed for farmers, farm advisors, Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS) organizations, researchers, and policy makers. The project focuses on small, medium, and large farms that participate in Living Labs and demo farms, as well as rural communities that host these activities. CODECS also targets public sector institutions and private companies.
Business model
CODECS is a publicly funded research and innovation project financed by the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme and implemented by a consortium of 33 partners. Project partners receive grant funding and institutional support to co-develop the digital platform, methodologies, and Living Lab activities. The CODECS digital platform, knowledge products and policy tools are made available free of charge to farmers, advisors, AKIS actors and public administrations.
Impact
CODECS aims to demonstrate how digital tools can support more productive and sustainable farming by coordinating 21 Living Labs across diverse farming systems and documenting their costs and co-benefits. CODECS plans to engage at least 100 AKIS actors, organize around 60 demonstration activities with some 600 participants, and produce policy briefs, practice abstracts, databases and toolkits. Early focus group results from 148 participants in 18 Living Labs highlight both benefits such as improved decision-making and labour efficiency, and challenges such as upfront costs, connectivity gaps, data governance and skills needs.
Partners
COEXPHAL; European Association for Innovation in Local Development; Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; INRAE; Research and Development Institute for Information Technologies in Biosystems; Széchenyi István University; University of Almería; University of Hohenheim; University of Ljubljana; Wageningen Research; Zemnieku Saeima
Four Betters
Better production
Better environment
Better life
