Project
TechCoach: Connecting Operational Groups across border to enhance farmers’ ability to assess, adopt, and integrate smart crop farming technologies
Project sponsors
Abbreviation
Project type
Focus area
Implementation time
1.2.2025 - 31.1.2028
Financing program
Horizon Europe
UN Sustainable development goals
Project description
The TechCoach project addresses the pressing need to enhance the adoption of Smart Farming Technologies (SFT) among European farmers. Despite the potential of SFT to improve efficiency, productivity, and sustainability, adoption rates remain low, with less than 10% of farmers utilizing these innovations. Barriers include perceived complexity, lack of information, and insufficient advisory support. The project focuses on multi-actor advisory systems, engaging farmers, advisors, researchers, and industry stakeholders to facilitate knowledge exchange and practical implementation of SFT. The initiative builds upon Operational Groups (OGs) and Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS), which provide tailored, farmer-centered support for digital and precision agriculture. TechCoach aims to identify best advisory practices, connect stakeholders through national and European networks, and develop accessible tools for knowledge transfer. The project will organize co-innovation bootcamps, cross-visits, and training programs to accelerate SFT adoption. The TechCoach Library will serve as a long-term repository for advisory materials, ensuring sustained impact beyond the project's lifespan. Ultimately, TechCoach contributes to the EU Green Deal and Farm-to-Fork Strategy, promoting sustainable, data-driven farming while enhancing farm-level decision-making and resilience.