In October 2023, the “Digitalization of Farms in WB6 Countries” project was launched to promote sustainable agricultural practices in the Balkan region through the implementation of digital solutions for modern farming. Led by AgFutura Technologies, the project aims to provide valuable insights, encourage the adoption of best practices, and enhance farm management efficiency. By reducing losses and costs, increasing yields, and maximizing profits, the initiative strives to contribute to the overall advancement of agriculture in the Western Balkans. The project is a collaborative effort among the regional  USAID Economic Development, Governance, and Enterprise Growth [EDGE] project (implemented by the International Development Group), the USAID North Macedonia Partnership for Economic Growth Activity (implemented by the Palladium Group), and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

Anticipated outcomes of the project will be presented through the development of six deliverables in total. “Establishment of Foundation” is the name of the 1st Deliverable within the “Digitalization of farms in WB6 countries” project, executed by AGFT. This deliverable summarizes tasks outlined in both Work Package 1 (WP1) – focused on Awareness, Education, and Training – and Work Package 2 (WP2), specifically encompassing tasks related to Farm Capacity Assessment and Farm Strategy Definition, as well as tasks involving GPS-corrected soil extraction and soil analysis.

This report covers essential steps for starting the project successfully. It includes identifying and developing a comprehensive list of beneficiaries dedicated to food production. The focus is on individuals who understand digital agriculture concepts and believe in the potential of these technologies to improve agricultural processes. The initiative also involves farm capacity assessment using a specially designed questionnaire to gather relevant data reflecting the overall situation of agricultural production for participating farmers. Additionally, the project includes definition of a farm strategy concept with beneficiaries, aligning digital agriculture concepts with their goals and aspirations to ensure a shared vision for the project.

Additionally, we’ve created training materials that cover key aspects of digital agriculture, such as farm strategy, soil analysis, and soil preparation and seeding. These materials serve as a foundation for knowledge transfer in subsequent training sessions. The first training package, based on these materials, provides participants with crucial insights into digital agriculture, setting the stage for future project phases. Simultaneously, the project involves conducting thorough soil analysis to gather data on soil composition and characteristics. This information is vital for customizing future agricultural interventions to meet the specific needs of participating farmers, ultimately enhancing and optimizing their practices.

AGFT has successfully conducted the above-explained activities in a one-month period and presented the results in the “Establishment of Foundation” document.

The ongoing collaboration between beneficiaries and AGFT will persist, with a dual focus on expanding educational initiatives by expanding training materials to include topics like hotspot detection and crop health monitoring, and conducting comprehensive testing and validation activities, specifically in the areas of RAMAS and AGFT advisory support services, all to be consolidated into next-coming deliverables during the project.