2025 ReSAKSS - From Innovation to Impact: Exploring the Economic Potential of Digital Twins in European and African Agriculture: Dr. Frits K. van Evert

Dr. Frits K. van Evert, Agrosystems Research, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands

Transcript

1. ReSAKSS ANNUAL CONFERENCE Moving the Technology Frontiers in African Agrifood Systems. From Innovation to Impact: Exploring the Economic Potential of Digital Twins in European and African Agriculture Frits van Evert Senior scientist Wageningen University & Research January 20th, 2026
3. Crop-soil models 3
4. Crop-soil model in farming practice • Monitor - Which of my fields has insufficient soil water and/or nitrogen? Heat stress? • Predict - Is there enough water and/or nitrogen until next week? Will there be heat stress? • Explore scenarios - Alternative schedules for irrigation and/or nitrogen (given limited resources)
5. Crop-soil model in farming practice • Monitor - Which of my fields has insufficient soil water and/or nitrogen? • Predict - Is there enough water and/or nitrogen until next week? • Explore scenarios - Alternative schedules for irrigation and/or nitrogen (given limited resources)
6. 6 Real Farm Virtual Farm Planning Forecasting Monitoring Doing the job Model Real world
7. Digital twin: crop-soil model is adjusted in real-time using on-farm observations 7 Real Farm Virtual Farm Planning Forecasting Monitoring Doing the job Sensing Digital twin Model Real world
11. Impact of digital twin technology at farm- and economy wide-level • National agricultural production survey in Senegal (PAPA, 2017) • Farm-level analysis: Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) • Country-level analysis: Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) Source: PAPA (2017)
12. ReSAKSS ANNUAL CONFERENCE Moving the Technology Frontiers in African Agrifood Systems. Summary • Digital twins can improve technical efficiency and resource management at farm level • Digital twins will have limited impact on SDGs (farm income and poverty reduction) • Impact depends on complementary reforms in markets, organizations, as well as public investment
13. ReSAKSS ANNUAL CONFERENCE Moving the Technology Frontiers in African Agrifood Systems. THANK YOU