In Schaffhausen, innovations for agriculture are tested and improved in practice. In the fields of Schaffhausen, the local companies GVS Agrar and AGCO are working together with local farmers. In a current series of trials, a "Precision Planting" device from AGCO is being tested for maize and sugar beet cultivation. Thanks to state-of-the-art technology and digital networking, the aim is to optimise sowing. The findings from the tests under realistic conditions provide both companies with important insights for development.

"Such joint trials not only strengthen local agriculture for the future, thereby increasing its competitiveness, but also allow us as a company to develop innovations to market maturity more quickly," emphasises Nicolas Helmstetter, Project Manager for Future Farming Projects at GVS Agrar.

Together with interested companies and the cantonal agricultural office, the Schaffhausen Economic Development Agency wants to facilitate further test series with local farmers. In addition, talks are currently underway on closer cooperation with Agroscope, the national research centre for agriculture, nutrition and the environment. These joint practical tests are intended to strengthen the canton of Schaffhausen as a centre of excellence for digital agriculture.