For centuries, wheat was grown “by eye.”
Today, fields have become connected ecosystems filled with sensors, drones, and algorithms collecting real-time data.
This is the era of precision agriculture, which enhances — rather than replaces — the farmer’s expertise through digital tools and scientific insight.
From Guesswork to Smart Fields
Precision farming optimizes inputs — water, fertilizer, seeds, energy — to reduce waste and boost yields.
Soil sensors and drones monitor moisture, plant nutrition, and disease stress, while AI software processes satellite and field data.
According to the European Environment Agency (2024), widespread adoption of precision farming could cut fertilizer use by 15–20% and water use by up to 30% without lowering yields.
Robots and Automation: The Future of Sowing and Weeding
Autonomous agricultural robots, such as France’s Naïo Oz or Italy’s GPS-guided seeders, are reshaping fieldwork.
They operate 24/7, using electric power and vision systems to target weeds precisely.
A Biosystems Engineering (2024) study found that robotic systems can reduce pesticide use by up to 90% compared to conventional methods.
Satellites and Big Data
Through the Copernicus and Sentinel programs, farmers can monitor wheat growth and climate risks from space.
These data allow for:
- yield prediction,
- drought mapping,
- and variable-rate input application.
In Italy, projects such as CREA SmartFarming show that satellite-integrated precision systems cut management costs by 25% per hectare while improving sustainability.
Artificial Intelligence and Forecasting
AI platforms like FieldAI and WheatGuard analyze data to predict when to sow, irrigate, or treat crops.
In Southern Europe, the integration of AI with weather models has increased average wheat yields by 7% (JRC, 2025).
A More Digital CAP
The 2023–2027 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) supports digitalization through eco-schemes, innovation funds, and Horizon Europe programs, aiming for agriculture that is both data-driven and resilient.
Challenges and Future Outlook
Despite its potential, precision agriculture still faces:
- high technology costs,
- limited rural connectivity,
- and lack of technical training.
The path forward lies in cooperative digital ecosystems, where even smallholders can access shared data and tools.
In this transformation, farmers remain the stewards of the land — now aided by satellites and AI.
Sources:
- European Environment Agency (2024). Smart Farming in the EU.
- JRC (2025). AI for Cereal Systems in Southern Europe.
- CREA (2025). Precision Agriculture in Italian Cereal Systems.
- FAO (2024). Digital Agriculture for Climate Resilience.
- Biosystems Engineering (2024). Robotics and Weed Control in Cereal Fields.