The agricultural sector is of great economic importance in the Euroregion. Businesses in this sector have a pressing need
for innovation in order to develop solutions to local and global challenges.
That is why, as part of the ‘Agropole Innovates’ project, four German-Dutch innovation teams developed solutions to
address the following challenges:
1. Research into the use of waste streams from insect production as a sustainable fertiliser and soil improver to
promote resource efficiency and the circular economy.
2. Research into reducing the use of traditional plant protection products in tree nurseries through needs-based
application, the targeted use of environmentally friendly alternatives and the early detection of diseases and pests.
3. Development of AI-driven, self-learning algorithms based on various sensor, weather, operational and monitoring
data for the risk assessment of plant diseases and for setting up a digital warning system based on forecasting
models.
4. Development of a system to improve animal welfare and transparency in pig farming, enabling comprehensive
data recording for each animal and the retrieval of information on genetics, farming conditions and health status.
The innovation platform served as the link between the innovation projects. This facilitated the exchange of knowledge
and experience between the project partners, with organisations conducting regional and supra-regional research into
these themes, and with companies wishing to put the project results into practice. This led to a productive exchange of
information, enabling the triple helix partners to learn from one another and to translate scientific findings into practical
applications.
The innovation platform strengthened the agribusiness sector’s capacity for innovation by promoting knowledge transfer
across a wide range of other topics. Research and educational institutions were involved to harness the potential of
students, and companies and institutions were brought into direct contact with one another. In this way, new knowledge
was put into practice more quickly and greater insight was gained into the challenges faced by companies. Furthermore,
targeted objectives helped to strengthen companies’ ability to attract and retain skilled staff. At the same time, these
objectives will form an important prerequisite for necessary changes and the sustainable further development of the
sector in the future.
