The economic and social impact of the agri-food sector
The recent report by the National Statistics Institute (INE) reveals that 19% of all exports in our country come from the food industry, thus representing a fundamental pillar of the national economy. However, it is important to note that only 6% of workers are involved in this sector, which highlights the need to optimise processes and increase efficiency in order to remain globally competitive.
Technological innovation as a driver of change
In this context, technological innovation is a key factor in boosting growth and competitiveness in the agri-food sector. Spain is positioned as one of the leading countries in the development of agrotech startups, taking advantage of the talent and creativity of the new generations to introduce innovative solutions in the field.
Connectivity as a fundamental pillar
The deployment of 5G is democratising access to connectivity in rural and agricultural areas, allowing more than 93% of farmers and ranchers to have internet access on their premises. According to the Observatory for the Digitalisation of the Spanish Agri-Food Sector, carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA), the most widely used technological solutions include corporate mail, office automation, antivirus, digital invoices and automated accounting.
Digitisation of the countryside, a major challenge
However, the most important challenge lies in the complete digitisation of the countryside. Thanks to 4G and especially 5G, connectivity and Edge Computing can be brought anywhere in the world, addressing problems such as labour shortages and lack of competitiveness due to high costs and low automation of tasks.
The role of 5G
5G is emerging as a key technology for the transformation of the agri-food sector. By providing ultra-fast connectivity and low latency, 5G enables real-time data collection and analysis, facilitating informed decision-making and optimisation of agricultural processes.
Benefits in agriculture
From cultivation to grazing, 5G streamlines intralogistics in agri-food industries and facilitates the traceability of products from their origin to the end consumer. It also enables more efficient management of water resources and effective adaptation to variable climatic conditions, thus mitigating the impact of climate change on agriculture.
The social and economic potential
Studies suggest that improved rural connectivity could boost the economy and increase employment, creating new jobs and stimulating economic growth. In addition, 5G fosters innovation and collaboration between different actors in the sector, thus promoting a more dynamic and competitive ecosystem.
Conclusions
In conclusion, 5G is revolutionising the agriculture and food industry, driving innovation, efficiency and sustainability throughout the value chain. Its ability to enable connectivity, automation and data collection is transforming the way food is produced, distributed and consumed, ushering in a new era of development and growth for the agri-food sector.
