DESIRA project resources on digitalisation of agriculture and rural areas

Author: DESIRA project

The repository contains several types of resources. Reports, deliverables and working documents cover DESIRA’s research findings, policy analysis and activities of its Rural Digitalisation Forum. This includes national policy reports from 15 European countries, examining issues such as broadband and connectivity, the urban-rural digital divide, digital policies affecting rural areas and how rural development policies address digitalisation.

The collection also provides scientific publications, research data and 21 policy briefs examining digitalisation in specific territorial and sectoral contexts. Topics include digital public administration in Germany, digital marketing for Latvian beef farmers, sustainable water management in Greece, wildfire management in Andalusia, digitalisation of wine production in France, digital tools for reducing agricultural inputs and digitalisation in Scottish crofting communities.

A substantial part of the repository consists of practice abstracts translating project knowledge into concise, practical resources. The first set presents 50 ‘Digital Game Changers’ in agriculture, forestry and rural areas, covering examples such as precision farming, agricultural robotics, digital marketplaces, forest monitoring, rural tourism, digital public services and community communication platforms. 

A second set of 21 abstracts presents the needs, expectations and impacts identified through DESIRA Living Labs, while seven further abstracts cover use cases and technology developments responding to rural, agricultural and forestry challenges.

The repository additionally provides audiovisual and communication material and connects users to other DESIRA knowledge resources. These include the Rural Digital Europe Dashboard which brings together publications and research outcomes concerning digitalisation and its socio-economic impacts in rural areas, agriculture and forestry. 

Why it is useful for rural areas

The repository provides a single entry point to evidence and practical experience on rural digitalisation from different European territories and sectors. Its combination of research, policy analysis and concrete examples can help stakeholders explore not only which digital technologies are being introduced, but also their potential social, economic and territorial impacts.

This makes it particularly useful for identifying evidence, experiences and policy considerations relevant to inclusive and sustainable rural digitalisation, while recognising that needs and impacts differ between rural contexts.

Who is this resource for?

The repository may be particularly useful for rural policymakers and public authorities; farmers and foresters; rural development practitioners and networks; researchers; advisors; local communities; and organisations involved in digital innovation and rural development.

About the initiative

DESIRA (Digitisation: Economic and Social Impacts in Rural Areas) was a research project funded under the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme. It used a participatory approach, including 20 Living Labs and a Rural Digitalisation Forum, to assess the impacts of digitalisation and support more informed and responsible approaches to digital transformation in agriculture, forestry and rural areas.

Rural Pact resources on the topic of digital