New technologies including AI are vital ingredients in any future success, delegates at ICOP in Portugal are told
The future success of fruit and vegetable producers across Europe depends on smarter thinking, and some of that advanced strategy will be implemented by artificial intelligence.
That was one of the main conclusions drawn by attendees at ICOP, the annual meeting of producer organisations, which met on 20-22 November in Vilamoura, Portugal, for its 18th edition.
According to GFA Consulting, which organised the event in cooperation with Portugal Fresh, the event was a chance to consider different solutions to a range of major challenges for the sector – such as better water management systems, or plastic-free wraps for cucumbers.
“The demands on agriculture today are subject to constant change,” commented GFA managing director Wolfgang Braunstein. “Fruit and vegetable producers must be given a diverse toolbox in order to be able to meet these demands in the long term.”
During the event, Cindy van Rijswick from RaboResearch Food & Agribusiness spoke about seven factors set to have the biggest impact on agriculture today: the end of abundance, labour shortages, new technologies – especially AI, climate-related risks, unpredictable geopolitics, consumer behaviour in younger generations, and the power that producers might gain as demand outstrips supply.
In Van Rijswick’s view, such factors made it essential to adapt in the long term – and instead of pushing for more production, to develop more profitable supply chains.
