Contractors as knowledge multipliers
Contractors are called upon to play a central role in the transition towards agriculture 4.0, informing farmers about the advantages and opportunities offered by new cultivation practices and new technologies
Innovation, and with it the theme of digital transition, were at the heart of the 44th edition of EIMA International. Numerous meetings, seminars and workshops were dedicated to this important theme. Of particular interest among these was the conference entitled "The role of agro-mechanics in an ecological transition" organized by the Confederation of Italian Agro-mechanics and Farmers (Cai). Digitisation is revolutionising the primary sector and this calls for a radical change in mentality. In particular, farmers must seize the economic and environmental advantages linked to the techniques of precision farming and minimum tillage.
In this perspective - he explained during the conference - contractors can play a fundamental role as 'knowledge multipliers'. But to do this they must invest in training. "We must prepare ourselves to propose these innovations. We have to grow in terms of training to convince farms to use innovation," said Gianni Dalla Bernardina, president of CAI, opening the conference. "We have to be ready and the register of agro-mechanics can help select companies capable of providing these services in the field, but also consultancy to guide farmers towards a new way of farming."
European policies are also pushing in this direction. Under the new CAP 2023-2027, farmers are asked to make an increasingly decisive and concrete commitment to preserve soil fertility and help combat climate change.
"In order to meet these requirements, farmers need a change of pace, and contractors must be able to direct them towards innovation, supply chain contracts and business networks," stressed journalist Roberto Bartolini. But precision farming requires more than a satellite dish. Knowledge is needed, data must be put together and interpreted in order to make the right agronomic decisions.
In order to be competitive, agro-mechanical companies will have to equip themselves with agronomists and computer scientists. Contractors must not only carry out cultivation operations in the field; they must also become true consultants able to provide farmers with information on the best agronomic strategies to adopt, but also on the contributions that the CAP and the Regional Development Plan will make available for innovative companies.
