Research project DataHub for Agrofood

Complete DATAHUB4AGROFOOD 01/04/2018 → 31/12/2021

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Stephanie Van Weyenberg

Data integration and cattle farming technology expert

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General introduction

The ambitious aim of DATAHUB4AGROFOOD is to develop a central data sharing platform for the sector. For this project, ILVO is cooperating with the Smart Digital Farming (SDF) Innovative Company Network and six companies and agricultural organizations (AVEVE, Boerenbond, CRV, DGZ, Innovatiesteunpunt, Milcobel). The data-sharing platform should make it possible to exchange data professionally, smoothly and fairly. The platform bears the name "DjustConnect". The partners give utmost attention to security, respect for data privacy and the preservation of data ownership. ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) is providing almost half a million euros in financial support.

Research approach

The effectiveness of DjustConnect lies, among other things, in its ‘one-to-many data sharing system’. On the one hand, data providers share their data with many (potential) consumers via a one-time connect action. On the other hand, the one-time connect action gives data consumers (potential) access to data from different data providers. DjustConnect makes data sharing technically easier, guarantees respect for everyone's ownership, and stimulates and support innovation in the agri-food sector.
The basic requirement for full data sharing, is trust between the different parties. The structure of DjustConnect contains a strong guarantee for this, which is based on an international code. In early 2018, on the initiative of COPA and CEMA, among others, a code of conduct was drawn up with guidelines for the use of agricultural data: the EU Code of Conduct on agricultural data sharing. In it, the farmer is unequivocally recognized as the owner of the raw data. In concrete terms: the farmer receives requests (for data sharing) in which data consumers explain in understandable language what they want to do with the data. In each case, the farmer decides with a simple click whether he will share his data in that specific case, or not. Only the 'approved' data can be put on the highway. The farmer retains an overview via his personal dashboard. His property rights are centrally, permanently and technologically secured.

Relevance/Valorization

Sharing data can have major benefits, for the farmer, the agricultural businesses and the entire sector. These include administrative relief for livestock farmers, optimization of inputs and greater insight into business operations. Data sharing is very much a story of field to fork. The partners expect that DjustConnect will be able to promote innovation across the agri-food sector, in a way that the data-sharing companies can book their added value through a reliable, locally-built platform with clear governance.