What is Agriculture 4.0

The article is being addressed to politicians, academics, media, and managers less familiar with the concepts Agriculture 4.0 and bioeconomy launched by the European Union and the German government for promoting research and development and the implementation of digital technologies and bio-based innovations in the agricultural sector. The programs upgrade the traditional common agricultural policy and enlarge the legal and institutional framework of the Acquis Communautaire. Millions of agricultural holdings in Europe are encouraged to use biomass, renewable energies, digital innovations, and high-tech machinery provided under the label of Industry 4.0. The strategies aim to achieve sustainable growth and competitiveness in agriculture, to secure self-sufficiency in food and energy production in Europe and to cover the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.