{"id":67796,"date":"2023-03-17T14:43:12","date_gmt":"2023-03-17T14:43:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/farmable.tech\/blog\/data-is-old-soil-digital-farming\/"},"modified":"2025-08-11T13:21:07","modified_gmt":"2025-08-11T13:21:07","slug":"data-is-old-soil-digital-farming","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/farmable.tech\/es\/data-is-old-soil-digital-farming\/","title":{"rendered":"Data is the Old Soil"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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The EU\u2019s new sustainability regulations<\/strong> are in the works, with data collection and monitoring being a key theme. While farmers<\/strong> have valid concerns about the use of their data, it\u2019s critical to adhere to the regulations to maintain compliance. Analogous to the importance of soil<\/strong> in agriculture<\/strong>, data is the foundation of your digital farm<\/strong>, and taking care of it can help you make informed decisions. Data also serves as a creative medium, enabling growth and innovation in digital farming by transforming raw information into meaningful insights.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Data is like the old trusty soil on your farm\u2014when nurtured properly, it can yield valuable results. Just as healthy soil leads to flowers blooming, well-managed data allows insights and understanding to emerge, revealing patterns and clarity from complexity. Understanding data is key to making smart decisions for your farm, ensuring you can adapt and thrive in a changing regulatory landscape.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Regulations related to sustainability are very recent, and many are under development. The EU Green Deal that kicked off much of the new regulatory work was only approved in 2019, and its impact will see several existing laws on emission limits and labor rights either being revised, replaced, or extended by stricter, more holistic sustainability regulations. Read this article where we talk about the various regulations the EU<\/a><\/strong> is in the process of putting into law.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Each member state is free to adapt in accordance with its local requirements while also conforming to the targets set forth by the EU. Hence, it would be good for farmers to be aware of the changes coming down the line, even if they do not impact farm operations today, so that the data they collect and use makes more sense for their needs.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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What's the big deal with data as a valuable asset?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Data collection and monitoring<\/strong> is a cross-cutting theme through the proposed legislation and policies. This means enforcement by Member States will increasingly rely on checking the records of farmers on both environmental matters, such as the use of pesticides and fertilizers<\/strong>, and on social matters, such as working conditions and working hours.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Data has been a much-maligned word in agriculture. Farmers have some very relevant concerns when it comes to their farm data, such as:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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  • Who has access to their data?<\/li>
  • How will it be used?<\/li>
  • Can it be used against them in the future?<\/li>
  • Is the data secure?<\/li>
  • What about the privacy of the data?<\/li>
  • Who is the data being shared with?<\/li>
  • Will it be public? Can other farms see my information?<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    In addition to concerns, there is also the topic of mindset. Agriculture is a very traditional industry in general, which means many of the current practices have been in existence for decades, if not centuries. We often hear farmers say,<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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    • It\u2019s too much of a burden to enter all the relevant data into a system. My notebook serves me fine.<\/li>
    • I don\u2019t have the resources, time or technical skills needed to collect and analyse data to fully use it in operations. However, data visualization tools can offer an easy solution by simplifying the process and making insights more accessible.<\/li>
    • I don\u2019t use these software tools on a daily basis, so I don\u2019t see the need them.<\/li>
    • I don\u2019t know much about the new regulations being planned nor the exact relevance of digital data. I have other things to focus on.<\/li>
    • Business profitability is top of mind, so anything that doesn\u2019t show me a direct link to the top or bottom line is not a priority for me.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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      An analogy I like to think of in this case is the importance of soil<\/strong> in agriculture. Just as healthy soil supports robust crops, effective data visualizations can condense complex information into a small space, making it more accessible and actionable for farmers.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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      When it comes to business profitability, the value that data brings to farm operations and decision-making cannot be overstated. Data-driven insights can help optimize resources, reduce costs, and improve yields, directly impacting the bottom line.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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      Data is the old soil<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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      Why do I say data is the old soil<\/strong> and not \u201cnew soil\u201d or \u201cnew oil\u201d?<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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      Firstly, because soil is nothing new. It\u2019s been second nature to farmers from the start. Soil is critical to agriculture as it is the foundation of all terrestrial life, providing essential ecosystem services such as food production, water regulation, and carbon sequestration. Be it nutrient supply, water retention, root support, biodiversity, climate regulation, the list goes on. Healthy soil is able to perform all its functions effectively.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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      Soil is the foundation of the physical farm.<\/strong><\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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      Secondly, the oft-used adage of \u201cData is the New Oil\u201d doesn\u2019t really apply to farming, in my opinion. Farming has been around for centuries, long before oil was even discovered. It\u2019s a way of life that can continue, even without oil. Sure, it might be a lot tougher, but farming can still be done without it. That\u2019s why we need to look at data in a way that makes sense for farming and the people who do it.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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      Soil has been integral to farming from Day One, and will continue whether we farm horizontally or vertically. Hence, the connection between soil and data is a lot more organic than what many believe.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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      Data is the foundation of your digital farm.<\/strong><\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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      Data is like the old trusty soil on your farm. Just like how soil has always been there to help grow your crops and keep everything healthy, data can help you do the same thing for your digital farm. Cultivating data leads to knowledge and knowledge compression, transforming raw information into actionable insights that help you understand your farm better. What really matters is not just having data, but how you use it to generate understanding and value. And just like how healthy soil is important for keeping plants healthy and strong, using good data can help you make smart decisions for your farm. Visualizing information can make things jump out, revealing important patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed. With the right tools, nourishing and taking care of your data takes a fraction of the time and effort of taking care of your soil. Think of data as a tool to help you take care of your farm, just like how you take care of your soil. It\u2019s just one more way to help your farm thrive!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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      Building a Strong Data Foundation<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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      In today\u2019s data-driven world, building a strong data foundation is as essential for businesses as fertile soil is for skilled farmers. Just as healthy soil supports the growth of robust crops, a well-cultivated data foundation empowers organizations to make informed decisions, streamline operations, and drive growth. The idea that \u201cdata is the new soil\u201d highlights how data, unlike oil, is a valuable asset that can be enriched, reused, and continually cultivated to yield actionable insights.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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      Unlike oil, which is consumed and depleted, data can be continually cultivated and enriched. This makes it an increasingly vital resource for businesses looking to stay ahead in a competitive landscape. By focusing on goal-driven, actionable insights, organizations can ensure that their data foundation supports not just compliance, but also long-term innovation and organisational change.<\/p>

      Ultimately, building a strong data foundation is about more than just collecting information\u2014it\u2019s about nurturing a valuable asset that can help your business thrive for years ahead. By prioritizing data literacy, embracing a design-led approach, and leveraging the right tools, businesses can transform data from a source of information glut into a fertile soil where innovation, growth, and informed decisions can flourish.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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      So what does data literacy mean for you as a farmer?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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      Precision farming<\/strong> is considered by the EU to be a key enabler towards more sustainable farming practices and for reducing the use of chemicals, and could unlock additional funding for farmers in the future.\u00a0<\/p>

      The Farm to Fork strategy sets out the EU\u2019s ambitions for the agricultural sector. However, translating the strategy into legislation is slow; most of the legislation is yet to be approved, and some are still in the strategy or planning phase.<\/p>

      However, the message is clear \u2013 the juggernaut is rolling, and you can either join in and get ahead of the curve, or be left behind in its wake.<\/p>

      How the EU Green Deal<\/strong> is implemented in each member state remains to be seen.<\/p>

      Some member states may have more advanced plans in place and may be able to align these plans with the EU Green Deal more easily. Others may need to develop new policies and strategies to meet the requirements of the EU Green Deal.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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      We are committed to following the changes as they unfold and updating you as to what that means for your farm.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      The EU\u2019s new sustainability regulations are in the works, with data collection and monitoring being a key theme. While farmers have valid concerns about the use of their data, it\u2019s critical to adhere to the regulations to maintain compliance. Analogous to the importance of soil in agriculture, data is the foundation of your digital farm, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":58660,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[214,133],"tags":[163,160,215],"class_list":["post-67796","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-normativas-ue","category-agricultura-de-precision","tag-agricultura","tag-agricultura-digital","tag-sustainability-es"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/farmable.tech\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67796","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/farmable.tech\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/farmable.tech\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/farmable.tech\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/farmable.tech\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=67796"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/farmable.tech\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67796\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":83141,"href":"https:\/\/farmable.tech\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67796\/revisions\/83141"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/farmable.tech\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/58660"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/farmable.tech\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=67796"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/farmable.tech\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=67796"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/farmable.tech\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=67796"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}