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Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

Literature Review

Building the Foundations of SMART SKILLS

The Smart Skills project began with in-depth research to understand the challenges and opportunities shaping digital transformation in European agriculture. This literature review synthesises findings across six key areas essential for equipping educators, learners, and rural professionals with the knowledge and tools needed for a sustainable future.

This research underpins the design of our Good Practice Guide and SMART SKILLS Modules and ensures our training resources are grounded in real-world evidence and European policy priorities.

What We Explored

Our review focused on six interconnected themes:

We examined current vocational education and training (VET) methods across Europe—traditional, modern, and emerging. The review maps what’s working, what’s missing, and how VET can adapt to better meet the needs of learners and the labour market.
As farms move toward Agriculture 4.0, digital literacy is essential. We explored the technical skills needed today—from data literacy to software tools—and identified gaps, especially among smallholder farmers.
We evaluated how technologies like automation, sensors, and data-driven tools are helping farmers improve productivity and reduce environmental impact. Our research spotlights barriers to adoption and opportunities to scale innovation across rural Europe.
Smart farming demands new competencies. This section outlines the skills needed to navigate precision agriculture, AI, and climate-smart practices—and how education must evolve to support them.
We explored competencies in water management, soil health, agroecology, and biodiversity. These sustainability skills are central to addressing climate change and long-term agricultural resilience.
From IoT and blockchain to drone farming and Smart Villages, this section highlights the transformative potential of digital tools in making agriculture more efficient, transparent, and sustainable.

Why This Matters

This review shaped the content and direction of our SMART KIT—including our Good Practice Guide and the digital learning modules. It ensures the Smart Skills platform is informed by real-world needs and global trends. Whether you’re a farmer, educator, or policy maker, these insights help you better understand the future of agriculture—and how to prepare for it.

Literature Review Executive Summary

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