By Pierre MARRION, Senior Consultant Mobility& Power
On a large scale, the reality of our world will be shaped by the growing number of mouths to feed, which is set to exceed 9 billion by 2050 (according to the UN). To identify potential avenues to explore, prospective studies have been conducted based on current data and trends. In the revised INRAE report, it is noted that, gradually, the combination of agroecology, the reduction of losses and waste, and the adoption of more balanced diets—incorporating more plant-based products and fewer meat products (at least in developed countries)—has emerged as a viable approach to solving the food equation without leading to harmful expansion of land use.
The interdependence of these issues highlights the need to take an integrated approach to the transition of food systems, encompassing the role of land use and linking environmental and health concerns. It was with this in mind that CIRAD and INRAE presented the results of a joint study on ‘land use and food security in 2050’ in 2016. The Agrimonde-Terra foresight study aimed to identify the levers likely to improve food security and nutrition on a global scale by 2050.
What is interesting about this approach and the map below is that the scenarios envisaged vary according to so-called ‘healthy’ geographical areas. These are areas where the shift towards a more balanced diet can become the norm, and above all where this becomes possible thanks to the measures implemented to achieve the ecological transition. Regardless of whether average diets trend upwards or downwards, the proportion of ‘fruit, vegetables and cereals’ is and will remain above 50%, or even 60%, of the diet. Therefore, agriculture is and will remain the primary source of food.
An agricultural policy in transition
The roll-out of agroecology in France has thus been a priority for many years (1990–2000). However, we have observed a significant acceleration since the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the associated national plan came into force in January 2023.
In a context where the agricultural sector must contend with the meteorological consequences of global warming, as well as international inequalities in terms of health and economic regulations, it is therefore essential to work towards a form of national independence and to support the entire agricultural production chain from ‘farm to fork’.
Our government (through France 2030, under the leadership of Elisabeth Borne, has invested over €2 billion in the agricultural transition, including €450 million for healthy and sustainable food) and the institutions within the agricultural sector agree on the same course of action to take to successfully achieve this agricultural revolution together. However, managing the production capacity of farms in the short and long term involves several major challenges, which can be summarised in three key questions:
An essential but still fragile link in the sector’s structure
Based on the findings of the report, although technically farms are fully-fledged companies with the same tax rights and could qualify for aid and funding schemes, they lack a finance department, a tax department or a research and development unit like industrial firms, and are therefore unable to benefit from expertise in the new sectors of agriculture today and tomorrow. They pass on the know-how of the land, but struggle to evolve and remain competitive through technological, functional and social innovation.
How can the agricultural sector keep pace with all the fluctuations in European regulations and standards when other countries do not apply them with the same rigour?
The very recent INRAE Dossier Revue explains the current context very clearly. Since the early 2000s, the European Union has stepped up the conclusion of trade agreements to reduce customs duties between Member States in order to promote trade and facilitate the recognition of standards and protected geographical indications. As regards agricultural and agri-food products, the impact has been positive, as demonstrated by the agreement signed with South Korea (the share of the 27 EU member states in South Korean imports has risen significantly over the last decade, reaching 13% in 2023 compared to 8% in 2011) or the agreement signed with Canada (only 1.7% of European agricultural imports in 2022 came from Canada).
It is fairly easy to see that free trade agreements such as the one with Mercosur (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and associated countries) could have negative consequences in the future. In particular because Brazil already accounts for 10% of European agricultural imports but is the destination for only 1% of the European Union’s exports (figure unchanged as of early 2024).
Farms that rely on government bodies on this issue cannot take the lead in driving change. Regulatory frameworks are difficult and time-consuming to implement on farms. For example, phytosanitary requirements in Europe are very strict regarding the handling, storage, dosage, and even the composition of products. Outside Europe, however, such restrictions are sometimes non-existent. Some countries are simply unable to control this. This means that agricultural equipment manufacturers must design watertight, ergonomic and safe systems for farmers (known as applicators); subsequently, the sprayer must incorporate increasingly sophisticated control systems to meet the regulatory requirements for field spraying.
In summary, following the example of the European project BATModel led by INRAE between 2020 and 2024, this initiative has enabled the development of business models capable of guiding public policy towards greater sustainability and enhanced competitiveness within European agri-food sectors. They provide decision-makers with the tools needed to assess the growing challenges of cross-border agri-food trade, in which trade agreements play a major role.
How can we maintain a solid, transferable body of knowledge from one generation to the next regarding the cultivation of land, livestock and crops?
According to ANEFA, the French agricultural machinery market has experienced strong growth in recent years. In 2022, it reached a turnover of €34 billion, of which €15.2 billion was generated by manufacturers, €13.5 billion by distributors, €670 million by CUMA (cooperative machinery pools) and €4.4 billion by ETA (agricultural service providers). This growth is driven by several factors:
With 100,000 direct and indirect jobs, the sector makes a significant contribution to the economy. Exports (€13 billion) and imports (€11 billion) highlight a strong international presence. Despite growth in 2022, challenges such as international competition and economic uncertainty are looming from 2023 onwards.
The agricultural machinery and equipment sector offers numerous opportunities for young people choosing a career path and those looking to change careers.
Skills to pass on, careers to promote
At the farm level, here are a few highly sought-after roles below. To enter these professions, various training programmes are available: BTS in Agriculture, DUT in Biological Engineering (Agronomy option), or agricultural engineering schools.
The agricultural machinery technician plays a crucial role in the industry. Responsible for the maintenance, repair and installation of equipment, they must be proficient in the latest technologies to ensure the smooth operation of agricultural machinery.
Agricultural production engineers play a vital role in the development and optimisation of manufacturing processes for agricultural equipment. They work with multidisciplinary teams to design innovative machinery that meets environmental standards and farmers’ needs.
At the forefront of technological advances, precision agriculture experts use data to maximise farm efficiency. Their role involves integrating technologies such as remote sensing, sensors and drones to improve productivity whilst reducing environmental impact.
Technical sales representatives are the ambassadors for agricultural equipment. They advise customers on the solutions best suited to their needs, whilst building lasting relationships with farmers and distributors.
Technical profiles sought after by manufacturers
In the agricultural machinery sector, here are some profiles sought after by machinery manufacturers or chemical manufacturers.
With the aim of developing new products, modelling preliminary design solutions, designing and dimensioning the selected solutions, producing drawings, parts and assembly documents for the prototype, and participating in the assembly and fine-tuning of prototypes. Skills in mechanical design, hydraulics, electronics and robotics are essential.
Their role is to produce seeds throughout the programme’s selection process whilst adhering to specifications regarding quality, quantity and deadlines. The field seed production team is responsible for supplying hybrid seeds to our key partners in trialling and commercial production (sowing and crop monitoring, observations and data collection, flowering management, harvesting, seed preparation, and projects to implement new technologies)
Also known as an agri-food laboratory technician, this professional specialises in microbiology and chemistry. They analyse products at every stage of the production chain, ensuring they meet the company’s quality standards and microbiological requirements. They manage the maintenance and installation of laboratory equipment. They are responsible for collecting and preparing samples before carrying out standardised tests.
In summary, although there are an increasing number of specialised training courses in chemistry, mechanics or biology geared towards the agricultural sector in , aimed at producing future experts who will tackle the sector’s technological challenges, these experienced profiles and skills are hard to find and often require the support of recruitment and placement professionals. Get help!
How can we provide financial support to key players in the sector to enable them to continue their research, thereby achieving technological differentiation whilst aiming for carbon neutrality?
Technological differentiation depends on the ability to develop new technological building blocks, new expertise for the benefit of crops and livestock, and new approaches to reducing carbon footprint. Generally speaking, the main areas of R&D and innovation focus on the following:
As outlined by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, and identified as one of the pillars of the third agricultural revolution, alongside digital technology, biocontrol and plant breeding, robotics holds great promise for helping the sector meet the challenges ahead. These include limiting the use of chemical inputs, reducing the impact on soils, easing the workload for farmers, and improving animal welfare in livestock farming… It will thus be one of the keys to the transition towards agroecology. And whilst many challenges remain – reliability, safety – robotics is already a reality in the field.
Thanks to the cultivation of biotech crops, direct-drilling techniques (without ploughing) help to reduce tillage. This, in turn, minimises soil compaction caused by machinery. It reduces fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Crops are also more resistant to pests and diseases, thereby reducing the need for plant protection products such as fertilisers or pesticides.
Improving farm yields by enhancing and optimising every stage of the agricultural process, from sowing to harvest. The advent of digital technology has paved the way for precision farming by enabling connected, geolocated and monitored agriculture. Farmers can now refocus their efforts on working the land and tending to their livestock (better management of spraying, better management of weeds and pests).
Day-to-day support from agricultural drones enables the monitoring and analysis of livestock farms and crop fields. Quantitative analysis (livestock location) or qualitative analysis (fractal analysis for spraying) are now accessible and supplemented by photogrammetric surveys, mapping, digital terrain modelling, and aerial photography.
Soil analysis using soil sensors enables the soil to be probed and various parameters measured: moisture, salinity, temperature, and soil density/compaction.
New cultivation methods such as hydroponics, which allow nutrients to be delivered directly to plants via root irrigation systems, without planting in soil.
Funding mechanisms available to industry stakeholders
All these areas of research and innovation can be supported by the CIR and CII schemes (now extended until 2027 following the publication of the Finance Act of 15 February 2025). Indeed, these two tax schemes are clearly more transformative for businesses than simply acting as a windfall to claim tax credits. Thanks to a long-term vision, they form part of an approach to reducing the cost of R&D and innovation, and underpin the strategic roadmaps of industry players.
Furthermore, when these same players wish to take a pioneering role in their field, these technological roadmaps are the cornerstone of their strategy for securing financial support from regional, national and European public funding bodies.
Several national and European public funding schemes are currently available for the agricultural sector. To help identify the most relevant opportunities based on project maturity levels and types, ABGi has published its guide to public funding for the agriculture and agri-food sector.
Conclusion
The agroecological transition is not merely necessary; it is now imperative to leave future generations with a productive and sustainable agricultural sector. Adopting new approaches requires breaking with old habits and, at times, profound change. We support innovation because, in the long term, it will have a positive impact on farming practices. So that farmers can grow good, healthy produce under decent conditions. The governments of most countries are moving in this direction, but let us make no mistake: there are still many technological, human, cultural and societal challenges to overcome in order to achieve a fair agroecological transition that is shared by all on the international stage.
Bibliography
Superfoods and Nutritional Fortification: Technological Challenges and Opportunities in the Food Industry
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