Speaking at the opening of the Information and Communication Agricultural Conference in Kilkenny on Friday, the EU's Agriculture and Rural Development Commissioner Phil Hogan said that “ICT technologies are changing the shape of the agriculture industry across the globe providing improvements in the quality of production of crops, the health of livestock and the quality of life for farmers".

Hogan named consumer protection, continuous quality assurance, natural and pathogen-free foods, the reduction in the use of veterinary treatment and increased concern for animal welfare among the areas where he use of data and connected equiment could hep agriculture become smarter.

“The Internet, through its rapid evolution, offers enormous opportunities for the agriculture sector globally. Ireland can lead the way in this new revolution and this conference does that, by beginning the converstaion while putting concrete research plans and ideations into place and engaging the key stakeholders,” Hogan added.

ICT "embedded in machinery"

The event is organised by Waterford Institute of Technology’s Telecommunications, Software and Systems Group and brings together Teagasc, Glanbia, Keenans as well as other farming organisations and business people from the ICT and agricultural sectors.

"ICT is embedded everywhere – with machinery and equipment becoming ‘smarter’ and better ‘connected’," said WIT President Prof Willie Donnelly.

The use of those tools in so-called precision farming is the key to further economic growth for Ireland, Prof Donnelly added.

"The Irish agricultural sector can gain substantial competitive advantage by harnessing our newest resource - data," he said. "This will create two complementary industries: sustainable food production and ICT-agri technology. Becoming a leading exporter of such expertise holds huge economic potential for Ireland and the wider community of Europe."