The Common Agricultural Policy as a driver for rural digital transformation

To promote the necessary investments in digital technologies, services and skills, each Member State’s CAP Strategic Plan includes a tailored digital strategy addressing the needs and the circumstances of each country. CAP Plans aim to create the right environment for farmers and rural communities to take advantage of the digital transition, including   foster innovation and knowledge exchange in agriculture and rural development. Digital tools and services can increase farmers’ productivity and income while providing a good level of living standards for rural communities. This means high-speed broadband infrastructure, IT equipment and uptake of digital tools and services. In their CAP Strategic Plans’ digitalisation strategies for agriculture and rural areas, Member States explain how they will plan to fill the digital connectivity gap by using the different instruments available, such as the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), the Digital Europe Programme, the Horizon Europe Programme or the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) . Member States can benefit from these funds in synergy with their national, regional and private funds.

The digital transformation can help agriculture become greener, more resilient and more sustainable, in line with the European Green Deal objectives.

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This video was created as part of the European Broadband Competence Offices (BCO) Network’s work to raise awareness of EU support for high-speed broadband deployment and share good practices in broadband projects. Discover the BCO Network YouTube playlist of interviews on broadband good practices, funding and policy, and explore the latest news and resources in the BCO Network Library.