Digital ecosystems in agricultural sector: principles of creation and possibilities

One of the ways to improve the efficiency of agro-industrial complex in the context of digital transformation is creation of single digital ecosystem, which implies coordination and integration of participants and results of scientific research in a single information environment.

Objective - modern digital natural biological ecosystems are considered, oriented towards the use of innovative technologies in agriculture, increasing production volumes, and ensuring food security of the country.

Methods - a review of scientific publications on a new model - digital biosphere as a fundamental element of digital economy; calculation of the effectiveness of the use of hydroponic units in agricultural sector and results of experimental work on growing tomatoes and lettuce; collection and analysis of quantitative data on the state and trends in the expansion of farm outlets.

Results - the authors analyzed statistical data on the current state of city farm market in the world. It is noted that the most promising direction in the republic is distribution of hydroponic devices for growing microgreens, indicators of its yield are presented, the advantages of hydroponics compared to traditional practice are shown. The profitability of producing drinks from microgreens and tarragon, cultivated in aqueous solution of nutrients, is determined.

Conclusions - within the framework of the project, specialized experimental hydroponic installation was created to test the processes of cultivating tomato seedlings and lettuce. From the position of the authors, comprehensive digital modernization of agro-industrial complex will reduce costs of implementing digital transformation programs with significant economic effect, facilitate exchange of data and resources between farmers, suppliers, processors and retailers, increase productivity, reduce pro-duction costs, peasant (farming) households will gain broad access to domestic and foreign sales markets.

1. [1] Sasireka, R., Tenzing, D., Himanshu, A., Pai, L., Abhishek, Sh., Gaurav Rajauria (2024). Hydroponics: Exploring innovative sustainable technologies and applications across crop production, with Emphasis on potato mini-tuber cultivation. Heliyon, 10(5), 1-14 [in English].

2. [2] Avgoustaki, D. D., Xydis, G. (2020). How energy innovation in indoor vertical farming can improve food security, sustainability, and food safety? Advances in Food Security and Sustainability, 5, 1–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.af2s.2020.08.002 [in English].

3. [3] Maroš, K. (2023). Digital ecosystem: The journey of a metaphor. Digital Geography and Society, 5, 1-9 [in English].

4. [4] OECD (2020). The Digitalisation of Science, Technology, and Innovation: Key Developments and Policies. OECD Publishing, 185 https://doi.org/10.1787/b9e4a2c0-en [in English].

5. [5] Yukiya, I. (2021). Shrinkage of regional cities in Japan: Analysis of changes in densely inhabited districts. Cities, 113, 23-32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2021.103168 [in English].

6. [6] Urban, V. (2025). AeroFarms vertical farming. Retrieved January 10, 2025. Available at: https://www.urbanvine.co/blog/aerofarms-vertical-farming (date of access: 14.12.2024) [in English].

7. [7] Juan, G., Luis, M., Jorge, G., Georgios, L. (2023). Systematic Review of Technology in Aeroponics: Introducing the Technology Adoption and Integration in Sustainable Agriculture Model. Agronomy, 13(10), 2517. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13102517 [in English].

8. [8] Aishvina, S., Jyoti, S., Sawinder, K., Mahendra, G., Jaspreet, K., Vikas, N., Riaz, U., Sezai, E., Prasad, R. (2024). Emergence of microgreens as a valuable food, current understanding of their market and consumer perception: A review. Food Chemistry: X, 23, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fochx.2024.101527 [in English].

9. [9] Treadwell, D., Hochmuth, R., Landrum, L., Laughlin, W.A. (2020). Microgreens: New Specialty Crop. In EDIS: University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries, 2020(5), 1-3. https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-hs1164-2020 [in English].

10. [10] Saldinger, S.S., Rodov, V., Kenigsbuch, D., Bar-Tal, A. (2023). Hydroponic Agriculture and Microbial Safety of Vegetables: Promises, Challenges, and Solutions. Horticulturae, 9(1), 1- 21. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9010051 [in English].

11. [11] Sambo, P., Carlo, N., Giro, A., Pii, Y., Valentinuzzi, F., Mimmo, T., Lugli, P., Orzes, G., Mazzetto, F., Astolfi, S., Terzano, R., Cesco, S. (2019). Hydroponic Solutions for Soilless Production Systems: Issues and Opportunities in a Smart Agriculture Perspective. Frontiers in Plant Science, 10, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls. 2019.00923 [in English].

12. [12] Velazquez-Gonzalez, R.S., BarceinasSanchez, J.D.O., Garcia-Garcia, A.L., VenturaZapata, E., Sosa-Savedra, J.C. (2022). A Review on Hydroponics and the Technologies Associated for Medium- and Small-Scale Operations. Agriculture, 12(5), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12050646 [in English].

13. [13] Projected vertical farming market worldwide from 2022 to 2032. (2023). Available at: https://www.statista.com/statistics/487666/projection-vertical-farming-market-worldwide/ (date of access: 10.12.2024) [in English].

14. [14] Farming Market Size and Share Analysis – Growth Trends and Forecasts (2024–2029) (2023). Available at: www.mordorintelligence.com/ru/industry-reports/vertical-farming-market (date of access: 14.12.2024) [in English].

15. [15] Butturini, M., Marcelis, L.F.M. (2020). Vertical farming in Europe: Present status and outlook. In T. Kozai, G. Niu & M. Takagaki (Eds.), Plant Factory: An Indoor Vertical Farming System for Efficient Quality Food Production (2nd ed., pp. 77-91). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-816691-8.00004-2 [in English].

16. [16] Gentry, M. (2019). Local heat, local food: Integrating vertical hydroponic farming with district heating in Sweden. Energy, 174, 191-197. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2019.02.119 [in English].

17. [17] Stanghellini, C., Katzin, D. (2024). The dark side of lighting: A critical analysis of vertical farms' environmental impact. Journal of Cleaner Production, 458, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.142359 [in English].