SmartAgriHubs
Project supporting the digital transformation of the European agri-food sector through a network of Digital Innovation Hubs
Description
SmartAgriHubs was a research and innovation project aimed at consolidating and fostering a European-wide network of Digital Innovation Hubs for Agriculture (DIHs) as part of the digital transformation in support of sustainable farming and food production. The project employed a multi-stakeholder approach to the maintenance of a broad value-chain network across the EU member states. The consortium included a diverse network of start-ups, SMEs, business and service providers, technology experts and end-users. At the heart of the project were 28 flagship agricultural innovations, facilitated by DIHs in nine Regional Clusters that incorporate all the European member states. SmartAgriHubs targeted the creation of a strong, multi-layered network of agricultural Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs) and Competence Centres (CCs) that could exchange knowledge and create a pan-European market for digital solutions related to farming and food production. The project was built on a solid network of CCs connected to a layer of adjacent regional DIHs that were coordinated by regional clusters and managed at a European project level. The SmartAgriHubs network incorporated five basic concepts that were based on validated methodologies and models: (i) the Competence Centreswere the cornerstones of the DIHs, through which expertise, test infrastructures and other crosscutting resources could be accessed; (ii) Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs) matched competences with demands, ideas, funding, etc., orchestrated and supported by concrete services to translate this interaction into; (iii) Innovation Experiments (IEs) in which the ideas, concepts, prototypes, etc. were further developed, tested and, ultimately, introduced to the market; (iv) an Innovation Services Maturity Model (ISSM) providing the necessary monitoring, assessment and support allowed the innovation services of the DIH to reach the desired level; and (v) an Innovation Portal with a searchable register, facilitating knowledge exchange, brokerage services, etc. that was still active as September 2024.
Technology
The SmartAgriHubs project integrates an innovation portal in the form of a web-based interactive platform aimed at expanding the network of key AgriTech stakeholders across Europe and supporting their communication. It is a multifaceted online platform that serves as a search engine, a one-stop-shop marketplace, a library, a training platform, a calendar, a network, a discussion forum and a matchmaking service. The platform supports exchanges of knowledge among the partners and other users, and serves as an interactive marketplace for the exchange of results, knowledge and best practices. The portal has been described as user-friendly and allows users to easily identify the relevant Competence Centres, SMEs, Digital Innovation Hubs, documents or training sessions. The so-called Innovation Portal has over 4300 users, employed in around 1000 organizations.
Target
The SmartAgriHubs project targets a wide array of stakeholders in the European agri-food sector, including smallholder farmers, agricultural cooperatives, and large- and medium-size farms, providing them with access to digital technologies, training and market opportunities. Agriculture stakeholders and rural communities can use the Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs) to access training and knowledge-sharing sessions on modern agricultural practices and technology adoption. The project also benefits the public sector through its alignment with agricultural policies and the promotion of sustainable farming and food production practices through the digital transformation, while also enhancing exchanges of knowledge and generating data and insights that can inform evidence-based policy decisions and research. For the private sector, it offers market opportunities, access to expertise and infrastructure, and support for innovation and business development, while SMEs, startups and technology providers in particular, can benefit from their access to a pan-European market facilitated by the SmartAgriHubs network.
Business model
The total budget of the initiative is €22 400 850,78
Impact
The SmartAgriHubs project has been able to operationalize the DIHs concept, and has established a broad network of 400 DIHs all over Europe. Each DIH has the ambition to stimulate and facilitate digitals innovation in the local farming practice. The project also succeeded in getting countries involved in the agri-digital ecosystem that used to be less involved in digital innovation EU projects. This is particularly visible in Eastern and Northern Europe. The capacity building activities within the project aimed to empower DIHs to provide relevant services and improve their operations. Different activities, including a needs assessment, tools to measure DIH services maturity, the DIH observatory and capacity building webinars and peer exchanges were organized within the SmartAgriHubs framework also through the Innovation Portal. In general, SmartAgriHubs aimed at digitizing over 2 million farms across Europe, introducing 80 new digital solutions to the market, and raising €30 million in additional funding from various sources.
Partners
Biosense Institute - Research And Development Institute For Information Technologies In Biosystems; Schuttelaar & Partners, International Federation Of Organic Agriculture Movements European Union Regional Group and others
Four Betters
Better production
Better nutrition
Better life
