08.02.2018

Representatives from each working group present their analyses of the barriers , opportunities , problems, and solutions for each of the eight challenges . They frequently address topics such as data governance , the digital divide , and technologies and potential incentives, among others.

The eight challenges being worked on are:

1. Combat rural depopulation , incorporate young people and reduce the digital divide.

2. Conclusions on sustainability , productive improvement and logistics.

3. Surveillance, detection of plant and animal health diseases , development of network alert systems, treatment of pests and diseases

4. Sustainable forest management.

5. Equitable distribution of added value throughout the chain and promotion of rural development.

6. Globalization and market competitiveness.

7. Consumer demands for information and participation in the market offering.

8. Management of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) .

To close the meeting, a series of case studies were presented demonstrating the role played by different stakeholders in the digitalization processes of the agri-food, forestry, and rural sectors. The role of research and training, agricultural consulting, agri-food companies, public administration, and technology companies were discussed.

The experts will continue working as a group until the next and final meeting, where they will present their conclusions and final documents for disseminating practices and solutions for digitizing and managing Big Data in the agri-food, forestry, and rural sectors.