Uncontrolled growth of apps causes issues in the agriculture and food sector

Apps are often very useful, provided they are compatible with other apps and the underlying larger information systems used by businesses. If this is not the case, the convenience and advantages quickly give way to extra administrative burdens and, thus, disadvantages. This is an example of what Wageningen University & Research scientists must take into account when considering digitalisation of the food and agriculture sector. This digitalisation is the focus of the fifth edition of the Mansholt Lecture in Brussels on 22 September of this year. The Mansholt Lectures, named after the famous Europe-politician and thinker Sicco Mansholt, are organised by Wageningen University & Research to discuss the European policy and issues within our domain: nutrition, agriculture and sustainable resources. WUR started organising the annual Mansholt Lectures in 2016. During the lectures, WUR presents multidisciplinary perspectives on aspects of European policy and recommendations to adjust the policies. The policy perspectives and recommendations are discussed during a meeting with representatives from the scientific community, governments and the business sector. The lectures aim to modify European policy by influencing the agenda or by offering recommendations to various stakeholders. The fifth edition of the Mansholt Lecture focuses on digitalisation in the agrifood sector. Sjaak Wolfert and a team of colleagues have been active in the field of digitalisation for many years. We asked him five questions. 1. Why is the digitalisation of food systems so important?'It is important, because digitalisation can contribute to making food systems more sustainable. Digital data on crops, animals, logistics and consumers can be used to monitor their status real-time and intervene where needed. Moreover, various sensors are capable of recording things that remain hidden to the human eye?infra-red recordings, for example, or soil humidity measurements, etc. Digital data also allows us to remotely monitor the status of production with multiple parties simultaneously. In summary, it provides us with more advanced options to work towards sustainability goals such as CO2 or N-emissions, more accurately and rapidly, as well as preventing food waste. The declaration entitled ?A smart and sustainable digital future for European agriculture and rural areas?, which was signed by 22 member states, underscores the potential and need for digitalisation.' 2. There are already several apps, isn?t the transformation well underway already?'Certainly, however, we also see an issue develop. There is an uncontrolled increase in apps, while businesses need integrated management support. Thus, an app may be useful, but only if it is compatible with other apps and the underlying larger information systems the company already uses. If this is not the case, advantages quickly give way to disadvantages of, for example, increased administrative burdens. Moreover, apps come and go, and it is quite a challenge to create sustainable business models between the different stakeholders.'