Precision Farming Project: What is EIT Food?

A few days ago, we announced the "Precision Farming Project", aiming to implement modern agricultural technology to Farming Simulator in the future. This project was initiated by John Deere in cooperation with various partners. It is funded by EIT Food. Let's take a moment to take a look at what EIT Food is and why this project was initiated. Don't know what Precision Farming is in general? In our last blog article, we explained the modern technology.

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology

EIT stands for "European Institute of Innovation and Technology" - an independent body created by the European Union to empower research and innovation. The EIT was established in 2008 with headquarters in Budapest and spread all over Europe. There are various subdivisions called "EIT KICs (Knowledge and Innovation Communities)", like EIT Climate, EIT Digital, EIT Health or, and EIT Food which is responsible for this project. 

One thing all of them have in common: The goal to drive innovation by bringing business, education and research organisations together to collaborate on finding modern solutions to a broad range of global problems. 

Further, the EITs Mission is to strengthen Europe's competitiveness, sustainable economic growth including job creation and the overall cooperation of important educational and scientific institutions. That means the creation of environments for creative thought and technological as well as social advancement. That's why the EIT is also part of Horizon 2020, Europe's framework project for research and innovation. 

Let's talk about food - the EIT Food

While EIT Climate addresses the challenges of climate change and EIT Health aims to improve the overall quality of life and health care in Europe, EIT Food is determined to "future proof food", as described on the official website. That entails a variety of objectives to address:

• Increasing consumer trust through smart solutions
• Help create and promote healthier nutrition
• Support sustainable and consumer-centric supply chains
• Enhance sustainability in an adequate bio-economy
• Educate students, entrepreneurs and professionals
• Bringing innovation and entrepreneurship together

To achieve all this, EIT Food takes different approaches like creating “agrifood startups”, developing talents and leaders with appropriate skills, or even launching innovative products and engaging the public. And this is basically, what the Precision Farming Project for Farming Simulator is about: Launching a product (the game module) and release it to the public to educate and spread awareness about advanced farming technology designed to meet the goals of the institution. 

Stay tuned for more!

As mentioned in the initial announcement, the project will take place over a span of two years. You can expect future updates including more information about the project, involved partners and, of course, what this project holds in terms of gameplay-features coming to Farming Simulator.

Since the project is at an early stage, we have to kindly ask for a bit of patience and we're hoping, you're still excited about the news. If you missed the announcement of the "Precision Farming Project" for Farming Simulator by EIT Food and John Deere, catch up by clicking the link!

This EIT Food activity has received funding from the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union, under Horizon2020, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. 

EIT Food is Europe’s leading agri-food innovation initiative, with the aim to create a sustainable and future-proof food sector. The initiative is made up of a consortium of key industry players, start-ups, research centres and universities from across Europe. EIT Food aims to collaborate closely with consumers to develop new knowledge and technology-based products and services that will ultimately deliver a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle for all European citizens.