The AgData initiative, co-financed by the Horizon Europe program, brings together 61 entities from 22 countries with the goal of developing data-driven agricultural solutions. These solutions will leverage information from Earth observation, sensors on farms, and other sources, integrating technologies like artificial intelligence for more sustainable, efficient, and resilient agriculture.
In Portugal, participation is ensured by the Portuguese Space Agency and the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT). ANI is part of the National Mirror Group (NMG), established to articulate Portuguese participation in the European partnership with the national ecosystem, aligning its activities with the Action Plan for Sustainable Bioeconomy and the Action Plan for the Circular Economy.
The NMG currently comprises 18 public entities, from the scientific and technological system and the agricultural sector, including the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), the National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinary Research (INIAV), the Confederation of Farmers of Portugal (CAP), and representatives from the Autonomous Region of the Azores.
The group's functions include identifying national priorities and needs within the AgData framework, disseminating knowledge generated by the partnership, and mobilizing national stakeholders for future funding opportunities.
During the meeting, upcoming calls for transnational project funding under AgData were presented, with the first supported projects anticipated to begin in 2027. The partnership aims to connect the scientific community, industry, the agricultural sector, and public entities, fostering the development and testing of solutions under real-world conditions.
With a planned duration of seven years and a global budget of 300 million euros, AgData seeks to enable European agriculture to produce more efficiently and sustainably. The objective is to facilitate data utilization for optimizing irrigation, anticipating pests, and measuring the impact of droughts or storms in specific regions.
