PAMCoBA

Project information
Variable rate application (VRA) and Controlled traffic systems (CTF)has a wide ranging potential such as improving the utilization of crop nutrients, improvement of crop quality, reduced overlaps and better production economy. VRA focus on the site-specific application of fertilizers, pesticides and water whereas CTF can allow farmers to reduce input costs (time, inputs and fuel) and increase crop yields. Although both concept has the potential to improve the profit on many farms the adoption of PA technologies remains still low in Europe. The reason could lie in a reduced perception of the benefits of certain PA technologies along with relative high investment costs. Therefore a comprehensive methodology approach that facilitates the understanding of initial investments, cost, and benefits can offer the chance to significantly improve the level of adoption of the most suitable PA technologies. The aim of this project is to design and test a comprehensive methodology to support cost benefit analysis related to PA. The methodology will embrace 3 sets of evaluation related to (1) the financial performance and risk (2) strategic impact, (3) effects on fields operations, (4) Environmental impact and other social benefits. The four sets will be combined in a single Key Performance Index.
Project partners: 
Institute of Food and Resource Economics
Agricultural System Engineering
Department of Agricultural Sciences
Project dates: 
January 2016 to December 2018
Contact
Contact person: 
Soren Marcus Pedersen
Contact email: 
Contact organisation: 
Institute of Food and Resource Economics
Funding
Funding agency: 
ICT and robotics for sustainable agriculture
Grant: 
k€287
Total budget: 
k€375