Turning Data into Decisions in AgriFood

Synopsis

Harnessing the power of Big Data to generate new insights, practices and products is one of the key priorities of today's AgriFood supply chain. Numerous sensors and connected devices are deployed to help AgriFood companies to collect data related to production, processing, and distribution of AgriFood products, referred to as Internet of Things (IoT). Software applications with machine learning are required to collect, analyse, and integrate data, connect devices and guide decision making within the AgriFood supply chain. Data can help farmers to optimise inputs and adjust crops and land management regimes depending on many variable conditions between the fields, crop varieties, and climatic conditions. Data can also help suppliers of crop protection products to produce more accurate recommendations, or to gather evidence on their efficacy with more precision, reducing their use and environmental impact.

For example, growers integrate agronomic, environmental and operational data to ensure the correct supply of fresh produce to customers on a daily basis. In another example, IBM and Mars collaborate to use big data to improve food safety, by developing an index of foodborne diseases, which can in future be used to understand what triggers contamination and the spread of foodborne diseases and minimize the risk. Data can also be used to analyse shopping habits of millions of consumers, and help suppliers to develop an effective marketing strategy, based on purchasing patterns and demographic breakdowns.

There are a number of challenges in using data in the AgriFood sector. From data availability, to data exchange and interoperability between different data sets. Standardisation of data acquisition and analysis will help to integrate different data sets and create more value. Turning data into decisions is the key for harnessing the power of data. The event will focus on key needs of the AgriFood sector in using data, discuss the existing barriers, and present a number of potential solutions and joint initiatives.

The event is likely to attract a lot of interest due to the fact that the issue of turning data into decisions is affecting all sectors in the AgriFood supply chain, as well as regulators. There is a considerable body of knowledge and tools available on use of data in agriculture, but a disruptive innovation is needed to make a better use of these knowledge and tools. More data exchange for collaboration and business process control in the chain is necessary in order to combine data and create more value. There is a demand for common pool investments into data sharing platforms, data standards, and infrastructure.

Attendees

Programme

Day 1 - 22 November 2017

Venue and Contact

Fees

Booking Process/Deadlines

CPD Info

SCI Members attending this meeting are able to claim 4 CPD points.

Additional Info

Organising Committee

• Liliya Serazetdinova, SCI / KTN
• James Garratt, SCI / Enviresearch
• Alan Baylis, SCI / Nuvistix Innovation

Exhibition and Sponsorship

An exhibition will take place alongside the conference during refreshment breaks for companies and related organisations who may wish to exhibit. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. For further information and prices, please email conferences@soci.org. Spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Pitch Presentations

All pitch presentation slots have now been filled. However, there is still the opportunity to present a poster. Please see the paragraph below for further details.

Posters 
Opportunities are available for a limited number of posters. Interested applicants should send a maximum one A4 page or 300 words indicating title and authors to conferences@soci.org by Friday 27 October 2017 with the subject line "Turning Data into Decisions in AgriFood - postersubmission".