DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF FOOD SUPPLY CHAINS

Digital transformations of food supply chains

FFoQSI’s Area 4 aims to improve the adaptive capacity of food systems to respond to disruptions, mitigate potential damage, take advantage of opportunities, and manage the consequences of change. These activities will be driven by an unbiased view of digitalisation in agriculture by examining the connection between the potential of digital technologies and the outstanding challenges of data security, data privacy and liability in food systems. We emphasise the potential risks to individuals, communities, and ecosystems that could arise from the improper use of digital technologies. Research in Area 3 corresponds in particular to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land). Transforming agricultural and food systems is essential to ensure a stable climate future for all. In the face of today's disruptive forces, digital agriculture is proving to be a critical catalyst for agricultural and rural development, driving change through improved information and communication technologies (ICT). Digital transformation of the post-harvest part of the food chain has the potential to strengthen sustainability and resilience by increasing production efficiency provided it is implemented strategically and with clearly defined goals (link to Area 3) (Balogun et al., 2020). Digital technologies are expected to change entire agri-food chains (Poppe et al., 2013).

Topics

1. AI and machine learning 
2. Robots and autonomous machines
3. Models for the resilience assessment of food systems

Objectives

• Improved management of large amounts of data
• Improved decision-making
• Increased cost efficiency (link to Area 1)

Solutions pursued at the centre

• Explainable Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture
• Mobile Autonomous Machines
• Sustainable Precision Livestock Farming
• Resilient Food Supply Chains

Dipl.-Ing. Mag. Dr.techn. Thomas Neubauer
Area Key Researcher Digital Transformation of Food Supply Chains
+43 1 58801-188639
thomas.neubauer@ffoqsi.at