As digital technologies continue to reshape agriculture across Europe, one question remains at the heart of the conversation: how can digital innovation truly benefit farmers?
To explore this challenge, the Farmtopia Policy Workshop, Technology Code of Conduct & Policy Pathways for Smallholder Digital Inclusion, brought together policymakers, researchers, farmers, technology providers, cooperatives and other agri-food stakeholders to discuss how digital agriculture can become more transparent, trustworthy and inclusive.
The full workshop recording is now available on YouTube, giving everyone the opportunity to revisit the discussions and explore the ideas that will help shape the future of agricultural digitalisation.
Putting farmers at the centre of digital transformation
Hosted in Brussels in a hybrid format, the workshop focused on one of Farmtopia’s key ambitions: ensuring that small and medium-sized farms are not left behind as agriculture becomes increasingly digital.
Throughout the discussions, participants agreed that digitalisation should never be treated as an objective in itself. Instead, digital tools must solve real on-farm challenges by reducing administrative burden, supporting better decision-making, improving productivity and delivering measurable value for farmers.
Building trust through better data governance
A central topic of the workshop was trust.
Many farmers remain cautious about sharing farm-generated data without knowing who can access it, how it will be used or what benefits they will receive in return. Participants discussed how stronger governance frameworks can help address these concerns by promoting transparency, accountability and meaningful farmer control over agricultural data.
These discussions formed the foundation for Farmtopia’s proposed Technology Code of Conduct: a farmer-focused framework designed to support responsible adoption of Agricultural Digital Solutions (ADSs).
Unlike previous initiatives focused primarily on data sharing, the proposed Code takes a broader approach by addressing data, software and hardware together, while promoting interoperability, transparency and fair digital practices.
Tackling interoperability and vendor lock-in
Another recurring theme was the need for greater interoperability between digital agricultural tools.
Many farmers currently use multiple disconnected platforms that cannot easily exchange information, creating unnecessary complexity and making it difficult to switch between technology providers. Participants highlighted that open standards, data portability and fair contractual arrangements are essential to preventing vendor lock-in and creating a more open digital ecosystem where farmers retain control over their information.
Looking ahead
The workshop also explored wider European initiatives supporting agricultural digitalisation, including the development of the Common European Agricultural Data Space (CEADS), while gathering valuable stakeholder feedback that will contribute to the final version of Farmtopia’s Technology Code of Conduct. The presentation highlighted:
- Trusted identification mechanisms
- Consent management systems
- Data-sharing initiatives
- Interoperability frameworks
- Model contracts
- Rulebooks governing participation
The final deliverable, expected later this year, will incorporate feedback received during the workshop and include updated Code provisions, model contractual clauses, monitoring mechanisms and certification proposals.
The discussions confirmed a strong shared commitment across the European agricultural community to ensuring that digital innovation remains fair, transparent and centred around farmers’ needs.
Watch the recording
Missed the live event or would like to revisit the discussion?
Watch the full Farmtopia Policy Workshop on YouTube and discover how researchers, policymakers and agricultural stakeholders are working together to shape a more trustworthy and inclusive digital future for European agriculture.
▶ Watch the recording here: