Patent data shows Germany at the forefront of Europe’s digital farming innovations as Asia accelerates global competition in the field
Agriculture drone fly to sprayed fertilizer on the rice fields. Photo credits: IvanRiver / BigStock
As digital agriculture reshapes farming worldwide, with smarter, data-driven tools, Germany stands out in Europe as the top source of patents, according to a new study by the European Patent Office (EPO).
Since 2012, innovation in digital agriculture has accelerated. Patent filings in fields such as AI, sensing, and automation have grown at an average of 9.4% per year, outpacing the overall growth rate for patent activity across all other areas of technology combined.
“Digital agriculture is advancing at an unprecedented pace, reshaping how we produce food in the face of pressing global challenges,” said EPO president António Campinos, referring to the pressing need to ensure food security for coming…
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