As climate change, geopolitical instability, and market volatility place growing strain on Europe’s agricultural systems, the need to secure a sustainable and resilient food supply has never been more urgent. Agricultural independence and food security are not just policy buzzwords—they are critical components of a future-proofed European Union.
The NOSTRADAMUS project, funded under the Horizon Europe Programme, is at the forefront of this transformation. It brings together cutting-edge research, digital innovation, and policy analysis to tackle the EU’s reliance on agrochemical inputs, its exposure to global price fluctuations, and the digital divide affecting rural areas. By promoting advanced data tools like Earth Observation (EO), precision farming, and AI-driven analysis, the project helps chart a path toward smarter, greener farming systems.
More than a technological initiative, NOSTRADAMUS also seeks to align agricultural practices with broader EU strategies—such as the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), Farm to Fork, and the European Green Deal—ensuring that sustainability and food sovereignty are addressed hand-in-hand. In this article, we explore the key strategies, challenges, and digital solutions identified in the project’s recent deliverable, “Obstacles and Strategies for EU Agricultural Independence, EU Food Security and the Utilization of Digital Solutions.”
EU agriculture stands at a crossroads. With declining soil health, increased dependency on imports, and rising costs, the need for resilient and sustainable food systems is urgent. The NOSTRADAMUS project addresses these issues through a multi-pronged approach that includes:
- Policy Framework Alignment
EU-level policies such as the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the European Green Deal, Farm-to-Fork Strategy, and REPowerEU form the backbone of the agricultural transition. These frameworks aim to:
- Support digital transformation.
- Promote biodiversity and sustainability.
- Strengthen resilience against external trade and climate disruptions.
However, challenges remain. Issues like low digital literacy, inconsistent policy implementation, and insufficient local adaptation limit the effectiveness of these strategies.
- Reducing Agrochemical Dependency
One of the major barriers to food security is Europe’s dependence on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Through research and analysis, NOSTRADAMUS highlights:
- The need to shift towards biofertilizers, organic farming, and nutrient cycling.
- Policy gaps and socioeconomic hurdles faced by farmers, especially in adopting agrochemical alternatives.
- Promoting Digital Agriculture
Digital tools such as IoT sensors, satellite imagery, and AI analytics are key to transforming farming practices. Precision agriculture can increase efficiency and reduce environmental impact. Yet adoption is hindered by:
- High costs.
- Inadequate infrastructure in rural regions.
- Concerns about data interoperability and privacy.
NOSTRADAMUS proposes actionable strategies such as developing Farm Sustainability Data Networks (FSDNs), improving digital literacy, and promoting smart farming incentives under CAP eco-schemes.
- Strengthening Resilience through “One Health”
The project integrates a One Health approach, linking human, animal, and ecosystem health. It emphasizes:
- Nature-based solutions in land and resource management.
- Climate-resilient farming practices.
- Holistic policy-making that addresses the interconnectedness of agriculture, health, and the environment.
- Socioeconomic Inequalities and Small-Scale Farmers
A significant insight from the NOSTRADAMUS project is that small-scale and resource-poor farmers face disproportionate barriers when it comes to adopting digital technologies. These include:
- Limited internet connectivity in rural areas.
- High upfront costs for digital tools and precision equipment.
- Insufficient access to training or advisory services.
Bridging this divide requires tailored support mechanisms such as targeted CAP eco-schemes, cooperative models for tech-sharing, and region-specific digital literacy programs. Strengthening inclusion in agri-tech innovation is key to ensuring that no farmer is left behind.
- Role of Data Governance and Interoperability
Digital agriculture depends not just on access to technology, but also on how well data systems communicate with one another. NOSTRADAMUS highlights the need for:
- Standardized and interoperable data platforms, allowing seamless sharing across EU regions.
- Secure and ethical handling of farmer-generated data, with clear rules on ownership and privacy.
- Greater alignment between Farm Accountancy Data Networks (FADN) and the new Farm Sustainability Data Networks (FSDN).
These systems help turn raw data into insights that can guide both individual farm practices and evidence-based policymaking.
- Scientific Innovation and Sustainable Inputs
The project also reviews scientific advances in reducing agrochemical dependence. It promotes:
- Use of biofertilizers and compost-based nutrient management.
- Research into carbon sequestration techniques, supporting carbon farming initiatives.
Adoption of climate-resilient crops and low-input farming systems, which reduce environmental impact while ensuring productivity.
By integrating scientific research into farming, NOSTRADAMUS supports a more regenerative and circular agricultural model aligned with the EU Green Deal and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
As Europe seeks to navigate an increasingly complex landscape of climate threats, trade dependencies, and technological change, the NOSTRADAMUS project presents a forward-thinking blueprint for strengthening food security and agricultural independence across the EU. By combining digital innovation, policy alignment, and sustainability science, the project tackles the root causes of agrochemical reliance, inefficient land use, and rural inequality.
This article has explored how strategic EU frameworks—such as the Common Agricultural Policy, the European Green Deal, and REPowerEU—are evolving in response to new challenges. NOSTRADAMUS not only maps existing obstacles but also offers concrete strategies: scaling up precision agriculture, improving digital infrastructure, fostering inclusive policy mechanisms, and promoting data interoperability across regions.
Crucially, the project emphasizes that technological progress must go hand-in-hand with social inclusion. Support for small-scale farmers, enhanced digital literacy, and equitable access to resources are not just ethical imperatives—they’re essential for the resilience of the EU’s entire food system.
As the transition toward sustainable, smart agriculture accelerates, the work of NOSTRADAMUS will inform future policy design and cross-border cooperation. We encourage all stakeholders—farmers, researchers, policymakers, and technologists—to follow the latest updates from the DIGWIND ecosystem and continue supporting innovations that secure a greener, more independent agricultural future for Europe.
Stay informed. Stay engaged. The transformation of Europe’s food systems is underway.
REFERENCES:
- European Commission. 2018. Common Agricultural Policy (CAP): Sustainable agriculture and rural development. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/cap-overview_en
- European Commission. 2020. Farm to Fork Strategy: For a fair, healthy, and environmentally friendly food system. COM (2020) 381 final, European Commission, Brussels. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/food/farm2fork_en
- European Commission. 2021. Digitalising the agriculture and rural areas in the European Union: A future perspective. Publications Office of the European Union. Retrieved from https://op.europa.eu
- Gómez-Carmona, O., Buján-Carballal, D., Casado-Mansilla, D., López-de-Ipiña, D., Cano-Benito, J., Cimmino, A., … & Bujalkova, N. 2023. Mind the gap: The AURORAL ecosystem for the digital transformation of smart communities and rural areas. Technology in Society, 74, 102304.
- Köninger, J., Lugato, E., Panagos, P., Kochupillai, M., Orgiazzi, A., & Briones, M. J. 2021. Manure management and soil biodiversity: Towards more sustainable food systems in the EU. Agricultural Systems, 194, 103251.
Authors:
- Giri Prasad Kandel – Post-Doctorate Researcher
- Ioannis Manikas – Team Leader, Senior Researcher
- Prof. Jana Poláková – Senior Researcher
- Pavel Hamouz – Senior Researcher
- Ioannis Varvaris – Senior Researcher
- PhD candidate Adam Hruška – Junior Researcher
- Vladimir Coițan – Financial Manager
