Farming and the food chain are experiencing a period of change with new information and communication technologies. Internet of Things, location based monitoring (by machinery, satellites or drones), mobile and cloud computing lead to a deluge of data. This makes big data analysis possible and leads to precision agriculture (or smart farming). Social media and block chain technology increase the role of data in the food chain up to the consumer, where data science supports developments into personalised nutrition.

These technologies have a high potential for unprecedented innovations, comparable to the introduction of tractors and pesticides in the 1950s. With new players like venture capitalists and large IT companies, and new concepts like vertical farming and meat-from-the-lab, the future will for sure be different.

In his lecture for BEE, Krijn Poppe discusses these technologies and trends and illustrates how Wageningen University & Research supports the innovation processes with old and new players in Dutch and European projects.