For farmers, understanding what is happening across a field is essential for making the right decisions at the right time. When crops are affected by differences in soil conditions, irrigation needs and nutrient availability, treating an entire field in the same way may not always deliver the best results.
Digital technologies are creating new opportunities to look more closely at these differences. Satellite imagery, drone-based sensing and field data can provide farmers with a more detailed picture of crop conditions, helping them identify areas that require attention and make more targeted decisions.
On 17 June 2026, Beta Via and the Farmtopia project organised the SIP4 Open Day at Šironija Farm in the Molėtai district of Lithuania, focusing on industrial hemp production and the Hempsight Agricultural Digital Solution (ADS). The event brought together farmers, researchers, technology providers, advisors and other stakeholders to explore how satellite data, drone-based hyperspectral imaging and field information can support more precise and informed farm management.
From experience to data-driven farming
The Open Day took place at Šironija Farm, where participants had the opportunity to learn about the farm’s approach to industrial hemp production and the practical challenges involved in managing fields with different conditions.
At present, many of the farm’s decisions are still based on traditional farming experience. Irrigation, for example, is largely guided by weather conditions and visible crop development, while soil sampling is carried out only occasionally because of its cost and the time required to obtain laboratory results.
At the same time, the farm continuously experiments with different fields, irrigation approaches and soil enrichment practices. Each cultivation season provides an opportunity to compare conditions and identify what works best.
This creates an important role for digital tools. Rather than replacing farmers’ knowledge, they can provide additional information that is difficult to obtain through observation alone.
Seeing the field from a different perspective
During the Open Day, Beta Via presented the Hempsight ADS, a decision-support system that combines satellite data, drone-based hyperspectral imaging, IoT and field information to provide a more detailed picture of crop conditions. The platform enables users to request satellite data and drone flights and to visualise the resulting information through the system. By transforming different sources of data into accessible maps and outputs, the solution helps farmers identify differences within their fields and understand where specific interventions may be needed.
Participants were given a live demonstration of drone-based data collection using hyperspectral imaging equipment. Despite rainy weather, the demonstration showed how quickly the field data can be collected and how the information subsequently feeds into the digital platform. Fresh hyperspectral scans had also been carried out shortly before the event, allowing participants to discuss recent field information and see how the technology can be used to monitor crop development over time. The demonstration highlighted the value of combining satellite observations with detailed drone-based information to better understand field variability and crop development. While satellite data can provide regular monitoring of larger areas, hyperspectral drone imagery can offer more detailed information at field level.
Turning data into practical decisions
The value of an ADS is not simply in collecting more data, but in helping farmers turn that information into actions. During the Open Day, participants discussed how the information generated through the Hempsight platform had supported more precise decisions related to field preparation, irrigation and soil enrichment.
The farm’s experience showed that different parts of a field can respond differently to interventions. By identifying field variability, the farmer can better understand where additional attention or inputs may be required rather than relying on a uniform approach across the entire field. The results observed during the pilot also provided an encouraging example. According to the farmer’s feedback, areas where recommendations were implemented showed visibly better harvest performance, particularly where nitrogen supply was improved based on the information available.
New fields were also investigated during the second cultivation period, creating an opportunity to compare crop growth, field variability and the effects of different interventions.
This demonstrated an important advantage of digital farming: the information collected today can also become useful for decisions in future seasons, helping farmers build a more detailed understanding of their land over time.
Technology needs to work at the farmer's pace
For farmers to adopt digital tools, however, technology needs to fit into the realities of farm management. During discussions, participants highlighted several characteristics that are particularly important for small and medium-sized farms. Digital solutions need to be flexible, simple and fast, allowing farmers to request a scan or analysis when a management decision is needed rather than requiring them to invest in expensive equipment or complex infrastructure. Timing is especially important. Ideally, farmers should receive the results within around 24 hours, allowing them to act on the information while it is still relevant-for example, by adjusting irrigation, fertilisation or soil enrichment practices. The cost of using the technology also remains an important consideration. Several scans may be required during a cultivation season to monitor crop development and assess whether previous recommendations have delivered the expected results. While this provides valuable information, frequent drone flights, hyperspectral processing and laboratory calibration can increase the overall cost of the service.
For smaller farms in particular, the benefits therefore need to justify the investment.
A tool for today and tomorrow
One of the aspects most appreciated during the Open Day was the ability of the Hempsight platform to provide farmers with a longer-term view of their fields. Participants highlighted that the platform can help farmers understand field variability, identify what different areas need and plan future interventions. Instead of providing information for a single decision or season, the accumulated data can contribute to a better understanding of the farm over time.
Building innovation around farmers' needs
The SIP4 Open Day demonstrated that successful digital farming is not only about the technology itself. It is also about how easily that technology can be integrated into farmers’ everyday decisions.
The event created space for farmers, technology providers, researchers and other stakeholders to discuss not only what digital tools can do, but also what farmers actually need from them. The combination of the farm presentation, platform demonstration and live drone flight helped connect the technology with real farming practices and economic considerations. The discussions continued beyond the formal agenda, with participants exchanging experiences about crop choices, field management, soil enrichment and the economics of farming decisions. This informal knowledge exchange became an important part of the event, showing the value of bringing different stakeholders together in a real farm setting.
Smarter farming through better information
Farmers will always need experience, observation and practical knowledge to manage their land. Digital technologies do not replace these skills. Instead, they can provide another layer of information to help farmers understand what is happening across their fields and make more targeted decisions.
Through Sustainable Innovation Pilot 4, Farmtopia is demonstrating how satellite data, hyperspectral drone imaging and field information can be combined into a practical decision-support service for industrial hemp production. The experience at Šironija Farm shows how this approach can help move from simply observing differences in the field to understanding them, responding to them and learning from them over time.
The future of digital farming will depend not only on how much data can be collected, but on how quickly and easily farmers can turn that data into useful decisions. SIP4 shows how putting practical farmer needs at the centre of digital innovation can help make advanced technologies more relevant, accessible and valuable for small and medium-sized farms.