The National Centre for Precision Farming
Digital Agri-Food and Horticulture Special Interest Group
Digital Agri-Food and Horticulture Special Interest Group
A forum and collective voice for organisations and associations to influence and promote education, policy, investment and R&D
The Digital Agri-Food and Horticulture Special Interest Group is a membership group focused on increasing the national and global awareness in regards to the use of big data and internet of things (IoT) technologies in agriculture. It is a platform for promoting and celebrating innovation, products and services to help the farming community reach optimal levels of production.
This group provides a forum for organisations and associations to collectively address issues concerning the adoption and development of data and associated systems and pre-competitive collaboration. Its members provide a collective voice on issues concerning the use and development of ethical, privacy, security and technical standards. Our aim is to influence education, policy, investment, research and development alongside organising and delivering awareness and training events.
“Being involved in the SIG has been of great benefit to us as a startup trying to establish a business and network in the UK. Bringing together established companies and experience with new ideas and technologies helps to accelerate adoption of these new technologies and encourage innovation in the industry. Groups like this enable you to focus your message, understanding that the audience is already on the same page as you and actively looking for ways to utilise the technology that you can provide. I have found everyone involved to be very open minded and eager to explore how we can work together.”
Steve Archer - 30MHz
Big Data
Directed at understanding and exploiting the Big Data approach to handling very large data sets as a means of deriving associations intractable in small data analyses. The approach seeks to integrate data from different sources and at various levels, from commodity markets for price volatility predictions to real-time weather, soil and air quality, and equipment usage for smarter decision support. Such an approach requires less, but complementary dependence on the strictures of the causality-focused standard scientific method, instead utilising vast quantities of data to achieve by-proxy correlations that help predict the future. In essence this is what is now termed “Big Data Analytics” and has the potential to catalyse a new revolution in agricultural production, presenting unprecedented opportunities for identifying associations between information and knowledge entities, often faster and with greater temporal significance than conventional small data analytics.
Internet of Things (IOT)
In association with IAgrE, the IoT Special Interest Group intends to bring IoT systems, hardware, software and service providers together, with farming stakeholders to develop new IoT-related products and services that will benefit the food and farming supply chain. The group aims to identify technology-related opportunities to increase farm productivity and then take appropriate steps to develop innovative products and services. The group will also consider improvements to the key elements of the IoT technology stack, thus paving the way for future developments in the IoT and next generation IoT-related products and services. It is envisaged that the IoT group will link with members of the Big Data Special Interest Group to consider data management opportunities.
Contact us
Debbie Heeks - General enquiries
Email: dheeks@harper-adams.ac.uk
Telephone: +44(0)1952 815184
Dr Richard Green
Email: rgreen@harper-adams.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)1952 815268
Documents
Our members
Membership details
Digital Agri-Food & Horticulture Special Interest Group
What commitment do I have to make?
Being an active member is essential and each member’s contribution will help drive timely achievement of the aims listed above. Quarterly meetings are scheduled to which regular attendance is expected.
How much do I need to pay?
The annual subscription rate is as follows:
Membership – board level membership - £250 + VAT (there is no limit on number of staff that can attend meetings; however, the principle of one Corporate membership; one vote applies).
The membership includes:
- Reduced cost of exhibition space at conferences (£100+VAT, full price £200 +VAT).
- The opportunity to be a guest speaker at the conference.
- Quarterly meetings.
What is the renewal process?
Members will receive a reminder email one month prior to the end of their 12-month subscription. Renewals are payable within 28 days of the reminder and pricing details and a link to the online or alternative payment system will be included in the email.
What is the cancellation policy?
Subscriptions are non-refundable.
How will my membership benefit the NCPF?
The Digital Agri-Food & Horticulture Interest Group’s expertise will support the NCPF’s aim of evaluating and promoting the use of technology in agriculture. The NCPF will support the group by providing an academic lead for Digital Agri-Food & Horticulture and secretariat support to promote the development of Digital Agri-Food & Horticulture SIG.
If you have any queries regarding your application:
E: dheeks@harper-adams.ac.uk
T: +44(0)1952 815184
Membership form and payment
Please pay your annual subscription online, and then download and complete the membership application form and return to the NCPF (please include your payment reference on the form).
Terms of reference
In the context of global digital agri-food and horticulture the group will provide:
- Influence in education, policy, investment, research and development.
- A forum for organisations and associations to collectively address issues concerning the adoption and development of data and associated systems.
- A collective voice on issues concerning the use and development of ethical, privacy, security and technical standards.
- A forum for pre-competitive collaboration.
- A forum for identifying and partnering in research, business and industry funding bids.
- Organisation and delivery of awareness and training events.
- A platform for promoting and celebrating innovation, products and services.
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