Mathematics helps farmers grow more sustainably with data and AI
The Mathematics Department of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam has received funding for a valorization project that shows how mathematics, data science, and artificial intelligence can make a tangible difference in society. The newly granted project, titled FIELD: Farming Innovation through Evidence, Learning, and Data, applies mathematical modeling and analytics to one of today’s most pressing challenges: making agriculture more sustainable while keeping farms economically viable.
Dutch agriculture faces increasing pressure to reduce its reliance on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, which damage soil health, biodiversity, and water quality. At the same time, farmers must remain productive and profitable. The FIELD project addresses this challenge by developing a data-driven decision support system that translates complex measurements into clear, practical advice for farmers.
At the heart of the project lies a uniquely mathematical contribution. Researchers from the Mathematics department combine three rich sources of information: near-real-time measurements of plant nutrient status, indicators of soil and ecosystem health, and advanced AI-driven analytics. Using methods from business analytics, optimization, and decision science, the team integrates these data streams into models that can recommend concrete actions, such as adjusting fertilizer use or changing crop management strategies, while also showing the expected ecological and economic effects.
The research will be tested in a large-scale pilot with more than fifty farmers in the Northern Netherlands. By analyzing data across different soil types, crops, and weather conditions, the mathematical models can learn patterns and support better decisions over time. Farmers will receive weekly or growth-stage-based recommendations through digital dashboards, supported by clear projections of costs, yields, and risks.
With this grant, the Mathematics department reinforces its role as a key contributor to interdisciplinary research and societal innovation at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. By working closely with farmers, agronomists, and environmental scientists, mathematicians are helping to build a more sustainable food system, powered by data, models, and smart decision-making.
For more information, contact Sandjai Bhulai (s.bhulai@vu.nl).