In the study published on September 18 by the European Patent Office (EPO) on digital technologies in the agricultural sector, the Netherlands emerges as a leader in dairy farming. Especially in the milk process, many patent applications came from the Netherlands. Only Swedish companies and institutions submitted more patent applications in this subsector. 

© Martijn Beekman

The new study on digital agricultural technologies was published by the EPO as part of the United Nations sustainable development goals. The Netherlands Patent Office was also involved in the creation of this report. The Netherlands Patent Office is the patent granting authority for the Netherlands, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten and is part of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). 

Innovations Contribute to Reducing World Hunger

Due to the challenge of meeting rising food production with fewer resources, the study on digital agricultural technologies is highly relevant. The World Health Organization (WHO) still sees world hunger as a major issue, despite a slight downward trend in several measurable aspects of food security. The EPO study focuses on technologies that contribute to a sustainable food chain. Digital technologies in the agriculture and livestock sectors have shown a significant increase in patent applications since 2012, with an average growth of 9.4% per year. This contrasts with a 3.1% increase in all patent applications.   

Strong in Digitalization

When it comes to digital agricultural technologies, Europe remains a leader in patent activity due to the 125 universities with many spin-outs and start-ups active in this sector. The number of patent applications for digital agricultural technologies has grown to more than 900 per year. Some highlights of Dutch contributions to agricultural innovations:

  • The Netherlands is particularly strong in innovation in the digitalization of livestock farming, milk processes, and smart greenhouses;
  • Worldwide, the South Holland company Lely is among the top 6 innovators in digital agriculture;
  • Philips and Signify are globally among the top 10 companies for patent applications in smart greenhouses.

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