Digital Transformation and Precision Farming as Catalysts of Rural Development
The European Union’s developing rural development plan places digital and precision agriculture at the centre of agricultural modernisation and economic development. This article examines how agricultural practices in rural EU regions are being influenced by smart technology, such as drones, IoT sen...
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| author | Andrey Ronzhin Aleksandra Figurek Vladimir Surovtsev Khapsat Dibirova |
| author_facet | Andrey Ronzhin Aleksandra Figurek Vladimir Surovtsev Khapsat Dibirova |
| author_sort | Andrey Ronzhin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The European Union’s developing rural development plan places digital and precision agriculture at the centre of agricultural modernisation and economic development. This article examines how agricultural practices in rural EU regions are being influenced by smart technology, such as drones, IoT sensors, satellite-based research, and AI-driven platforms, through an analysis of recent data from sources across the European Union. This study applies a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative analysis of strategic policy documents and EU databases, to evaluate the ways in which precision agriculture reduces input consumption, increases productivity, reduces labour shortages and rural area depopulation, and improves sustainability. By investing in infrastructure, developing communities for data exchange, and organising training for farmers, European policies such as the Strategic Plans of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the SmartAgriHubs initiative, and the AgData program actively encourage the transition to digital agriculture. Cyprus is analysed as a case study to show how targeted investments and initiatives supported by the EU can help smaller countries, with limited natural resources, to realise the benefits of digital transformation in agriculture. A special focus is placed on how solutions adapted to agro-climatic and socioeconomic conditions can contribute to strengthening the competitiveness of the agricultural sector, attracting young people to get involved in this field and opening up new economic opportunities. The results of previous research indicate that digital agriculture not only improves productivity but also proves to be a strategic mechanism for attracting and retaining young people in rural areas. Thus, this work additionally contributes to the broader goal of the European Union—the development of smart, inclusive, and sustainable rural areas, in which digital technologies are not only seen as tools for efficiency but also as key means for integrated and long-term rural development. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ae6ea97185e14d4fb2c1e998e275284d |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2073-445X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Land |
| spelling | doaj-art-ae6ea97185e14d4fb2c1e998e275284d2025-08-20T02:45:49ZengMDPI AGLand2073-445X2025-07-01147146410.3390/land14071464Digital Transformation and Precision Farming as Catalysts of Rural DevelopmentAndrey Ronzhin0Aleksandra Figurek1Vladimir Surovtsev2Khapsat Dibirova3St. Petersburg Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences (SPC RAS), Institute for Informatics and Automation of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 39, 14th Line, 199178 St. Petersburg, RussiaSchool of Business, GNOSIS Mediterranean Institute for Management Science, University of Nicosia, Nicosia 1700, CyprusSt. Petersburg Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences (SPC RAS), Institute of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, 199178 St. Petersburg, RussiaSt. Petersburg Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences (SPC RAS), Institute of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, 199178 St. Petersburg, RussiaThe European Union’s developing rural development plan places digital and precision agriculture at the centre of agricultural modernisation and economic development. This article examines how agricultural practices in rural EU regions are being influenced by smart technology, such as drones, IoT sensors, satellite-based research, and AI-driven platforms, through an analysis of recent data from sources across the European Union. This study applies a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative analysis of strategic policy documents and EU databases, to evaluate the ways in which precision agriculture reduces input consumption, increases productivity, reduces labour shortages and rural area depopulation, and improves sustainability. By investing in infrastructure, developing communities for data exchange, and organising training for farmers, European policies such as the Strategic Plans of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the SmartAgriHubs initiative, and the AgData program actively encourage the transition to digital agriculture. Cyprus is analysed as a case study to show how targeted investments and initiatives supported by the EU can help smaller countries, with limited natural resources, to realise the benefits of digital transformation in agriculture. A special focus is placed on how solutions adapted to agro-climatic and socioeconomic conditions can contribute to strengthening the competitiveness of the agricultural sector, attracting young people to get involved in this field and opening up new economic opportunities. The results of previous research indicate that digital agriculture not only improves productivity but also proves to be a strategic mechanism for attracting and retaining young people in rural areas. Thus, this work additionally contributes to the broader goal of the European Union—the development of smart, inclusive, and sustainable rural areas, in which digital technologies are not only seen as tools for efficiency but also as key means for integrated and long-term rural development.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/7/1464dronesAI in agriculturesmart rural transformationdigital farmingprecision agricultureAgriTech innovation |
| spellingShingle | Andrey Ronzhin Aleksandra Figurek Vladimir Surovtsev Khapsat Dibirova Digital Transformation and Precision Farming as Catalysts of Rural Development Land drones AI in agriculture smart rural transformation digital farming precision agriculture AgriTech innovation |
| title | Digital Transformation and Precision Farming as Catalysts of Rural Development |
| title_full | Digital Transformation and Precision Farming as Catalysts of Rural Development |
| title_fullStr | Digital Transformation and Precision Farming as Catalysts of Rural Development |
| title_full_unstemmed | Digital Transformation and Precision Farming as Catalysts of Rural Development |
| title_short | Digital Transformation and Precision Farming as Catalysts of Rural Development |
| title_sort | digital transformation and precision farming as catalysts of rural development |
| topic | drones AI in agriculture smart rural transformation digital farming precision agriculture AgriTech innovation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/7/1464 |
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