Many farmers and foresters in Europe are already using decision support tools in their daily work, both at the field and management level. These tools collect, combine and analyse a range of data, including field data from sensors and satellite images. They also provide data-driven support and guidance on optimising production and quality. Despite the many opportunities, putting these tools into practice can present certain difficulties. Farmers and foresters often point out the high costs involved, the lack of stable internet access in many rural areas and the difficulty of integrating between different digital platforms.

Another challenge is the limited availability of training and support, which makes it harder for users to make the most of what the tools can offer. Questions about privacy and about who owns the data also influence how comfortable farmers and foresters feel with adopting these types of solutions. In addition, because many decision support tools are designed with a broad, standardised approach, they may not always reflect the diversity of local farming and forestry conditions, which can limit their relevance in practice.