Challenges that stand in the way of progress
The agrifood sector faces major challenges. Innovations are essential to ensure efficiency, sustainability, and quality, but implementation is often slow. Systems are poorly aligned, regulations delay adoption, and certification is frequently lacking. At the same time, markets are evolving rapidly, and companies are not always prepared for new technologies. By addressing these bottlenecks, NXTGEN Hightech Agrifood accelerates the transition toward a future-proof sector.
Technology
Time to market takes too long
The development and implementation of new technologies in the agrifood sector often take too much time. Innovations tend to remain stuck in pilot phases or are only applied within a single company. This slows down scaling and makes it difficult to achieve broad impact. By strengthening collaboration between developers, businesses, and chain partners, implementation can move faster. As a result, technological solutions become available sooner, more accessible, and more profitable for the entire sector.
Interoperability
Interaction between systems is limited
Many companies have their internal processes well organised, but systems often fail to work together across the supply chain. Data exchange remains limited, leaving opportunities for optimisation and data-driven decision-making untapped. This results in inefficiencies and increased costs. By improving system alignment and promoting interoperability, processes can be designed to be smarter, more efficient, and more flexible.
Data-infrastructure
A wide variety of data protocols
In the agrifood chain, companies often use their own data systems and protocols. This hampers collaboration and limits the ability to exchange information effectively. Without standardised protocols, the sector remains fragmented, slowing down innovation and complicating the integration of new technologies. A shared data structure creates a uniform foundation for connectivity, enabling supply chain partners to collaborate more easily and operate more efficiently.
Human ware or social innovation
Users not ready for implementation
New technologies require different skills and a new way of working. Many companies lack the necessary knowledge or resources to make this transition. This creates a gap between technological development and practical application. By investing in education and training, employees and entrepreneurs can be better prepared, allowing innovations to be adopted more quickly and effectively.
Regulation
Lack of certification
The absence of clear, standardised certification makes it difficult to implement innovations quickly and at scale. Companies often face lengthy and costly processes to comply with regulations and market requirements. This not only slows down the scaling of technologies but also raises the barrier for businesses to adopt new solutions. Standardised certification processes can help break through this barrier, accelerating the acceptance and international implementation of innovations.
(Cyber)security
Risk of uncontrolled actions
The lack of uniform guidelines and protocols within the agrifood chain increases the risk of errors, inefficiencies, and unnecessary delays. Actions taken in one part of the chain can unintentionally impact other segments, compromising quality and productivity. By establishing shared standards and clear guidelines, risks are reduced, allowing companies to operate with greater confidence and predictability.
Activity line – Testing and validation
From challenge to practical innovation
The agrifood sector is under pressure due to labor shortages, stricter regulations, and the need for more sustainable production. To address these urgent challenges, innovations must not only be developed but also tested and validated quickly and reliably. Within the NXTGEN Hightech Hands-Free Agrifood ecosystem, test locations provide realistic environments where new technologies can be trialed. By evaluating prototypes and optimising processes, innovations are made ready for broader application in the sector—faster and more effectively.
Domain lead
Suzanne Verboon
Suzanne has extensive experience with innovative projects and programmes, both nationally and internationally. As Programme Manager for Agriculture, Water, and Food at FME, she uses her passion for these sectors to accelerate solutions.