The aim of UNIFARM is to contribute to the strengthening of scientific and technological excellence on the satellite navigation domain through the application of this in agriculture. Agriculture is a very special market as all professionals are in principle entrepreneurs. Increased awareness, exchange between regional initiatives, stimulated bottom-up innovation and expressed user requirements provides ground for science and technology R&D to strive for excellence. Precision Agriculture in the ‘European Way’ is different from American or Australian precision agriculture. As it is more aiming at costs- and input-reduction. In this way Precision Agriculture is a key enabler of a more sustainable agriculture – meaning economical viable, socially acceptable and environmental friendly. By improving the adoption of GNSS based applications and services in the broad diversity of European farmers, we create innovations that are able to be competitive, also in other strong agricultural economies as Brazil, India, or China.
In this coordination and support action the project UNIFARM focuses on the requirements and needs of the majority of farmers, today and in the next ten years, aiming at bridging the gap between early adopters and the majority (aka “the chasm”). This forum’s goal is to coordinate and support existing European local initiatives and create a platform of knowledge sharing and innovation stimulation across Europe (and beyond if needed).