Innovations in Crop Production

Respondents see significant potential for innovation in the areas of plant breeding, plant protection, and nutrient management. In plant protection in particular, farmers face the challenge of preventing resistance and maintaining productivity with a decreasing number of available active ingredients. Hope is pinned here on the development of new groups of active ingredients and alternatives that are still in the development phase.

Innovations are also expected in the area of nutrient application. More precise application technologies can help to

• use fertilizers more efficiently,
• reduce costs, and
• minimize nutrient losses into the environment.

This allows economic and ecological goals to be increasingly better aligned.

Establishing AI as a Tool

Farmers are also hoping for innovations in digital decision-making and forecasting models, as well as improvements in data management and data integration. This demonstrates how digitalization is increasingly making its way into agriculture. When used wisely, digital solutions—with or without AI—can support farmers in many ways. This not only enables more efficient work processes and saves time—AI can also be a solution for managing bureaucratic burdens. At the same time, it is clear that data integration into existing operational workflows and interface compatibility remain areas with room for improvement in digitalization.