Digitalizing Bioeconomy: How Data drives Decarbonization

A critical factor in successful decarbonisation is the use of data. The digital transformation of agriculture can not only increase efficiency, but also make a sustainable contribution to reducing the industry's ecological footprint. However, clear standards and a harmonised database are needed to exploit the full potential of data. The role of standardized data was discussed at this year's RootCamp Demo Day in a panel with Dr. Philipp Rittershaus, Head of Corporate Innovation & Startup Coaching, Ole Storm, Digital Manager at Rapool; Dr. Christian Henning, CEO of permarobotics and Head of the German Delegation at ISO TC 347, Jon Goriup, CEO and Co-Founder of RootCamp startup vcg.ai and Loet Rummenie, Program Director at STARTLIFE.

The publication of over 600 standardized agricultural terms was recently announced by ISO/TC 347. With this initiative, the committee of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has created an important basis for the exchange and integration of data in agriculture.

A Common Language for Agriculture: The Impact of Standardized Data

Until now, different devices, software, and systems in agriculture often "spoke different languages," making it difficult to exchange and use data effectively. The new standards from ISO/TC 347 help ensure that data can be understood and used more easily. The recent release of over 600 standardized agricultural terms marks a significant step toward improving data exchange and integration across the industry. This development enables more efficient communication, better decision-making, and enhanced sustainability in modern agriculture.

Challenges in Agricultural Data: From Collection to Interpretation

Despite these advancements, panelists identified several ongoing challenges in leveraging data for decarbonisation in agriculture:

• Acquiring well-described, trusted, and comparable data, particularly when conducting large-scale trials across multiple farms.
• Interpreting data to derive actionable measures and recommendations that can support sustainable farming practices.
• Aggregating data across different European countries, each with its methodologies and standards.
• Relying on outdated datasets, with predictions often based on data that is already a year old (e.g., the last harvesting season).

While regulatory requirements are currently shaping much of agricultural data management, the panelists pointed out that, in the future, shared business goals—such as creating a more sustainable planet—will become the primary drivers of data use and collaboration.

The conversation also highlighted the potential of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence to transform data management. With well described and structured datasets, AI can help predict climate shifts, guide seed selection based on disease risks, recommend chemical usage, and even forecast future market demand for agricultural products.

In conclusion, the panel emphasized the urgent need for harmonised standards to ensure data comparability and quality. By integrating standardized frameworks with innovative technologies, the bioeconomy can generate reliable insights and actionable recommendations to drive decarbonisation efforts forward.

What's next?

Impressions from our 6th Demo Day in the RootCamp headquarter

With our latest DemoDay, the RootCamp batch #6 comes to an end. We are now looking for new startups in the fields of AgTech, Bioeconomy, Circular Economy, and Technology for clean water. Applications for the next batch are open until March 19th!