5 questions for Ruud Tijssens
Time for government to intervene in data debate
Ruud Tijssens is director of corporate affairs at Agrifirm. He is also responsible for R&D. On Friday 24 February, during a meeting of Droneworkers, he gave text and explanation about Agrifirm's vision in the field of precision agriculture. According to Tijssens, it is a 'breakthrough' for agriculture. Innovation that we can compare with the first industrial revolution.
The Drone Workers collective has been working together with Agrifirm Plant since the start. The collective provides sensor technology for the soil (Verisscan) and from the air (eBee). Agrifirm Plant's crop advisors then attach agricultural advice to this, so that site-specific work can be done. For example, by liming site-specific grassland or by varying the nitrogen application in potatoes. The coming decades will face major challenges for the cooperative, but also for entrepreneurs, contractors and manufacturers.
You firmly believe in precision farming. In your presentation you call it the new breakthrough. What exactly does that mean?
'Precision farming will play an important role in agriculture. We can compare it with the first steam engines. It brought about a huge revolution. Precision farming has the same power to create such a breakthrough. To do this, we need to think in a global perspective. This results in a huge decoupling of agriculture among the civilian population. This is the result of urbanization. In 2017, 50 percent of the world's population lives in cities. In 2050 that will be 70-75 percent. In the Netherlands, only 2 to 3 percent of city residents have a relationship with the agricultural sector. These people no longer have a feeling for agriculture. That makes it extra difficult. Despite special views, these people are really not all crazy. You have to take their ideas and views seriously.'
What is Agrifirm's vision in the field of precision agriculture?
'At Agrifirm, we are committed to future-proof agriculture. We have divided our plans for this into three pillars: Smart feeding, healthy soil, plants and animals and strength in the chain. We classify the new technology as smart feeding. It offers tailor-made solutions for future-proof work. Not only in arable farming, but also in the field of animal feed, for example. Healthy soil is essential for the progress of our agriculture. Make the soil and the animals resilient. It starts with the basics. The third pillar; strength in the chain is of great importance. Collaboration is required in the chain. This also requires adaptation of the parties. For example, depending on where you farm. There is not one concept where you bet on growth. If you are an intensive livestock farmer in De Peel, you need a different strategy than focusing on production.'
Can you give an example where these three pillars are already being applied in practice?
'Every new project is examined in terms of sustainability. For example, we have developed a new sustainability concept for feed in poultry farming. That means producing feed with a lower CO2 footprint, more return for the farmer, less dependence on land and more use of co-products. Every point has to be improved, otherwise it will not be implemented. We notice that 'smart feeding' is even less developed in arable farming. Fortunately, that is increasing quickly. Livestock farming can also use it. For this we have to assess roughage (grass) in an arable way, but also look after diversification in the crop plan. What we encounter with these projects is a lack of standardization in sensor technology and data. Fiber optics are also still lacking in rural areas.'
You also mention big data as an example. Agrifirm is taking a pioneering role in this. How does that work out?
'Data ownership is an important topic for farmers. We notice this in practice and we support it. Agrifirm is co-initiator of Smart Dairy Farming. That has now grown into a cooperative for all sectors. This requires one collection point (hub) for all data. From here, agricultural entrepreneurs can assign rights themselves. Who can use their data. BO-Akkerbouw is also involved in this. As Agrifirm, we founded Akkerweb ourselves, together with WUR. Purely to get data quickly and clearly to the farmer. Nothing has been arranged Europe-wide.'
Is it a task for the business community or the government to intervene on big data?
'Many initiatives have been launched to streamline and collect (big) data. In our view, this must be arranged quickly and collectively. This also raises the question of whether the government should play a role in this. We think so. Only in this way can one standard be set for all parties throughout Europe. This is also happening in the telecom world. It is important that there is a revenue model for the industry and for the farmer. That's the only way it will be a success.'
Niels van der Boom
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