Blog: Niels van der Boom
Farmer, pay attention to the importance of your data!
Data is the hobbyhorse of agriculture today. More and more technology companies are discovering that (big) data can bring them a lot. Not least because of the possible financial returns. This creates all kinds of cross connections between, for example, a tractor manufacturer and, for example, a cultivation specialist, to name just a side street. What does that mean for the farmer? That data belongs to him, right?
NAJK board member Doeko van 't Westeinde also spoke out about this issue in a recent column. All kinds of companies are eager to share data with each other, but does this also work to my disadvantage? A completely valid question and certainly one that you should ask as an agricultural entrepreneur. The line between necessity and abuse is difficult to define and paper thin. Establishing a code of conduct for data is a step in the right direction, but we cannot rest on our laurels.
Companies unwilling to pay
In the United States, following the emergence of precision agriculture, the collection and use of big data has also crystallized further. Here you see initiatives emerging from the farmers themselves to cluster data and not just share it with everyone. Commercial parties like to have big data at their disposal in order to benefit financially from it. Why is an agricultural entrepreneur not allowed to do that? Crux is that the companies are absolutely not willing to dig into their pockets. Perhaps because there are more than enough opportunities to gather information for free.
Advantage for the farmer or the company?
What I am personally 'concerned' about is the collaboration that is taking place. Worry is a big word, but what drives this? Is that to provide the farmer with a flawless service or to let the manufacturer maximize his profit? I sometimes wonder. The Netherlands is a frontrunner in Europe when it comes to the adoption of GPS technology. Let's agree to become a frontrunner in big data by taking action now. Protect data and send a clear message: Data is not a pretty good and represents value. That value is determined by the requesting party.
Big data of great use
The agricultural sector received the ABN Amro with praise investigation report on the environmental impact of the Dutch agricultural sector. It also touches on big data as an important argument for helping to save the environment. Previously you could op Boerenbusiness read that data is also useful for climate change. To deny that big data has no added value for your company is incorrect. You may think so yourself, but customers certainly don't. They would love to know what you spray, how much you sprinkle and what that yields in kilograms of product.
Don't underestimate the importance
Isn't the importance of big data being exaggerated? I have it more often wondered, but continue to amaze me at the speed with which the data revolution is developing. He's not sick. Google and Facebook are 2 shining examples. They have become mega-sized by using data smartly. We have to wait for the Google and Facebook of agriculture to stand up and give this revolution a push. Will that be John Deere, Monsanto or maybe Dacom? Who's to say. Experience has taught me that we should not underestimate the subject. If you do, others will make the decision for you. That can sometimes turn out wrong. So watch your dates!
Niels van der Boom
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