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On October 1, 2026, France officially launched EDIC for Agri-Food, a European digital infrastructure consortium aimed at driving the digital transformation of agriculture and the food industry. This initiative seeks to improve the competitiveness of the agricultural sector, reduce the administrative burden on farmers, and support climate and environmental transitions.
The consortium brings together 14 participants from the European Union, 10 of which are members: Austria, Croatia, Finland, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, the region of Flanders, Slovenia, and Romania. Four other countries participate as observers: Germany, Spain, Ireland, and Latvia.
EDIC for Agri-Food has two main objectives. The first is to adapt European agriculture to climate change by developing decision-support tools that enable farmers to better anticipate and manage climate change. The second is to strengthen European digital sovereignty in a context marked by an increase in cyberattacks and international geopolitical tensions.
The projects carried out by the consortium will be funded entirely with European funds. An initial allocation of 15 million euros has been set aside for the 2026–2028 period under the Digital Europe Program.
The first members' meeting, held on October 1, unanimously elected Jean-Marc Bournigal, director general of Chambres d'agriculture France, as president of the consortium. Jürgen Vangeyte, scientific director of the Flanders Institute for Agricultural, Fisheries, and Food Research (ILVO), was appointed vice president. Both will serve for a renewable two-year term.
French Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard highlighted France’s leading role in developing this initiative, which was carried out in collaboration with member states, the European Commission, and industry professionals. Jürgen Vangeyte emphasized the consortium’s commitment to quickly providing practical and effective solutions to farmers.
October 2, 2026/ Ministry of Agriculture/ France.
https://agriculture.gouv.fr
