The PIA project aimed to identify the necessary competency areas for the digitalized agriculture of the future. To achieve this, four different application areas of agriculture were defined: viticulture, arable farming, fruit and vegetable cultivation, and forestry. To accomplish this goal, competency profiles for the digital farmer were developed, a status quo assessment was conducted for the four areas, and a trend analysis was carried out.

In addition, heatmaps were created to illustrate the respective digital technologies and application areas in the value chain for each application domain. Part of the overall process also included abstracting the overarching goals and creating personas for the future farmer. In collaboration with agricultural vocational schools, the "digitalization rate" of the curriculum was assessed through interviews to gain an overview of the digital topics being taught and to consult the experts – the teaching staff – about digitalization developments in agriculture. Using a gap analysis of the results from the interviews and research, a competency profile for digitalized agriculture was developed and a set of future-required digital competencies was presented to the schools.

All the developed results were summarized as "Pictures of the Future in Agriculture 2035" (see graphic). Each individual "Picture" is described in detail and presented graphically. From the developed Pictures of the Future, action recommendations were derived and communicated to increase digitalization and improve digital competencies in the four agricultural sectors.

Funded by the State of Styria, Department 12.