Lantmännen: AI Can Strengthen European Agriculture and Improve Farmer Profitability
Lantmännen suggests that artificial intelligence and digitalization can accelerate plant breeding and improve resource efficiency in European agriculture. Access to large volumes of quality-assured data and practical farm solutions are essential for realizing these benefits.
Swedish agricultural cooperative Lantmännen believes that artificial intelligence (AI) and increased digitalization can significantly enhance European agriculture and improve farmer profitability. According to the company, these technologies can accelerate plant breeding, boost resource efficiency, and increase profitability.
Per Arfvidsson, Executive Vice President and CTO at Lantmännen, highlighted these points during a panel discussion on AI at Copa-Cogeca's Congress of European Farmers in Stockholm. He emphasized that to achieve real value from the technology, access to large volumes of quality-assured data and solutions offering tangible benefits on farms are crucial.
Lantmännen is integrating AI and digitalization across various operations, with a notable focus on plant breeding in Svalöv, where a SEK 100 million investment is being made in a new facility. AI is already aiding in the faster development of new crop varieties, and digital tools can assist farmers in optimizing the use of fertilizers, crop protection products, and water.
The company's majority-owned technology firm, Cgrain, employs AI and advanced image analysis for rapid, automated grain quality assessment. Lantmännen also supports initiatives like Agronod AB, which provides data platforms enabling farmers to securely store and share data. This facilitates improved production decision-making and reduced administrative burdens, while ensuring farmers maintain technical and legal control over their own data.