Agro‑innovatiecentrum De Marke, Hengelo (Gld)
Agro-Innovation Centre De Marke shows what precision livestock farming looks like in practice
On 19 May, a delegation of Dutch, German and Belgian government representatives visited Agro-Innovation Centre De Marke, accompanied by Dutch Minister Femke Wiersma. During an extensive tour, they were shown demonstrations in grassland management, emission monitoring using photonic sensors, vision and mapping technologies, and collaboration between autonomous systems and 3D simulation. The visit made clear how circular farming, ecology and innovation come together in applied research. The international delegations actively engaged in presentations and discussions with researchers and developers.
Agro-Innovation Centre De Marke as a systems-based site for data-driven livestock farming
Agro-Innovation Centre De Marke is developing into a full-scale systems location where data, AI and robotics are integrated into dairy farming. Programmes such as AgrifoodTEF, Digital Twin and NXTGEN focus on open data infrastructure, dashboards, 3D simulation and vision technology. Wageningen Research contributes expertise in agro-systems science and Vision + Robotics to help shape the future of Agro-Innovation Centre De Marke’s facilities. This collaboration between research and co-innovation opens up new possibilities for research and product development, including for non-traditional market segments.
Agro-Innovation Centre De Marke as a test location within NXTGEN
Within NXTGEN Hightech Agrifood, Agro-Innovation Centre De Marke is one of four key locations where the use cases from the Open Cultivation innovation package are tested, validated and scaled in real-world conditions. Technologies such as emission-reducing sensors, real-time animal health monitoring and automated feed management are being explored here. The centre plays a crucial role in demonstrating how policy, research and practice reinforce each other, and how smart solutions contribute to the broader Handsfree Agrifood ambition.
Connecting to the wider NXTGEN ecosystem
Within NXTGEN, Agro-Innovation Centre De Marke serves as a platform for co-innovation and hands-on experimentation. It is a place where interoperable systems are tested, data infrastructures are built and technologies are made accessible through demonstrations and stakeholder events. The insights and outcomes from this location help accelerate the development of precision livestock farming across the Netherlands and Europe.
*Images of “Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature."