The EU Common Agricultural Policy after 2020 should mobilise both direct payments and rural development pillars, in order to pave the way for the introduction of much-needed digital technologies in the farming sector, experts in precision agriculture told.

The rising demand for agricultural products, combined with the need to protect the environment, has put pressure on policy-makers to find innovative ways to “produce more with less”. In addition, price volatility in food and agricultural markets has highlighted the need to increase European competitiveness worldwide in order for the sector to survive in the long run.