National Policy Reports
Analysis of the effects of national and regional digitalization policies on rural areas
Description
Series of National Policy Reports produced by the EU-funded DESIRA research project examining the national and regional policies applied across the EU Member States related to the digitalization of rural areas with a twin-pronged approach, assessing how digitalization policies impact rural areas, and how rural development policies address digitalization. The report is presented in three parts, defining the context of rural digitalization, the policy framework for rural digitalization, and the challenges and opportunities. At the time of writing (September 2024), the reports cover only 15 of the 27 EU Member States, with the addition of Scotland (UK).
Technology
It can be understood from the reports that different Member States have developed different frameworks supporting the digitalization of agriculture and rural areas. The most common forms of policy support offered in Europe are identified as those related to: internet connectivity (fixed and mobile broadband); digital advisory services; investments into Global Positioning System (GPS)-guided machinery and precision farming equipment; earth observation programmes; artificial intelligence (AI) for early weed detection, and the remote control monitoring of plantation declarations through satellite imaging; the uptake of Internet of things (IoT) for innovative farmer-centric projects in agriculture; farmer-driven interoperability platforms; and the network of digital innovation hubs known as SmartAgriHubs.
Target
The main users of the reports are academia and research institutions, although government agencies in the public sector can also benefit from the analyses of the current status of digitalization for the promotion of new initiatives. Finally, the private sector can benefit through investments into the technologies noted in the report.
Impact
The analysis carried out by DESIRA documents the digitalization efforts and private strategies of the EU Member States, and can aid in the identification of policy gaps and areas in need of improvement in the digital public infrastructure. The reports can serve as a benchmark for other countries, encouraging the enhancement of inclusive digitalization and the integration of digital technologies into “smart” and “precision agriculture", thus contributing to the alleviation of human impacts on the environment, biodiversity and climate.
Partners
University of Pisa (UNIPI); European Association for Information and Local Development (AEIDL); Wageningen University (WU)
Four Betters
Better production
Better environment
Better life
