Data-Driven Decision-Making in Oat Farming – Pilot Training
Gamification, smart farming, and 3D simulation for developing data-driven decision-making – step into an experiential learning path where traditional agriculture in Finnish conditions meets the virtual world. Learn how to involve knowledge-based management to farming decisions and sign up now for the online group starting on 25 November 2025 or individual option that will start in the beginning of 2026!
The success of a farm increasingly depends not only on experience but also on data and how it is used in decision-making. Machines, systems, weather, and crops generate vast amounts of data. By refining this data, farmers can manage their farms more economically, efficiently, and sustainably.
However, data-driven farming requires a new mindset and decision-making skills. To support this, a completely new training concept has been developed: SmartFarm – Experiential Learning Environment.
Join a pilot group where you’ll practice to make cultivation decisions in simulated scenarios — learning and discussing together. The training is conducted entirely online and starts in week 48.
The training webinars and group discussions are held in English (or Finnish), but the digital learning environments translates to many other languages too.
A fully independent learning path will become available in early 2026. You can sign up for that using the same registration form.
How does different weather conditions affect yield quantity and quality? How does cultivation decisions like fertilisation and seeding rate influence yield formation? Could split fertilisation and selective harvesting be profitable strategies?
In this training, you’ll learn data-driven decision-making through familiar grain farming choices — in a new way. Seasonal decisions are tested using a digital twin that simulates plant growth under different weather conditions and farming actions. The digital twin provides location-specific yield responses to selected actions, helping you make informed decisions between different cultivation strategies.
Instead of field visits, crop observations are made from the virtual version of the Bioeconomy Campus, within the metaverse.
Test decisions, experiment boldly with different scenarios, and share your experiences. You’ll immediately see and learn what the real-life consequences of those decisions would be.
SmartFarm - An Experiental Learning Environment. With the help of a digital twin used in the training, the effects of decisions related to oat cultivation can be tested safely and endlessly, regardless of time and place.
How does different weather conditions affect yield quantity and quality? How does cultivation decisions like fertilisation and seeding rate influence yield formation? Could split fertilisation and selective harvesting be profitable strategies?
In this training, you’ll learn data-driven decision-making through familiar grain farming choices — in a new way. Seasonal decisions are tested using a digital twin that simulates plant growth under different weather conditions and farming actions. The digital twin provides location-specific yield responses to selected actions, helping you make informed decisions between different cultivation strategies.
Instead of field visits, crop observations are made from the virtual version of the Bioeconomy Campus, the metaverse.
Test decisions, experiment boldly with different scenarios, and share your experiences. You’ll immediately see and learn what the real-life consequences of those decisions would be.
What Are a Digital Twin and the Metaverse?
A digital twin is a virtual model of a field plot located at the Bioeconomy Campus in Central Finland. Data for the model has been collected using weather station and various sensors installed on the plot to monitor growing conditions. The simulation of plant growth and yield is based on the internationally recognised APSIM model, which has been localised for Finnish conditions. It also utilises open data sources such as weather data from the Finnish Meteorological Institute and geospatial data from the National Land Survey of Finland, making it a highly accurate replica of the real growing environment and conditions.
The metaverse is a virtual environment that draws on geographic data sources (e.g., the National Land Survey of Finland, Finnish Meteorological Institute, Finnish Food Authority, and Finnish Forest Centre) and crop measurements collected from the Bioeconomy Campus field during previous growing seasons. These data have been used to create an interactive, 3D “virtual twin” of the field and its surroundings. This enables simulated crop observation visits to the field — regardless of time and location.
The digital twin and metaverse have also been developed as part of the Finnish Future Farm project.
This training is open to anyone interested in stepping into the role of a farmer and to explore a completely new kind of learning environment. You may be a farmer, agricultural advisor, student in the field, or another professional working closely with farmers.
The most important thing is that you are willing to commit to the full pilot training and participate in the scheduled group sessions.
By registering, you also accept the Finnish Future Farm project's privacy policy. Download the privacy policy here (PDF).
I’m amazed at how accurately a computer can simulate the expected yield. The training offered a fresh perspective on familiar topics—how data supports decision-making from sowing to harvesting. The simulation made me consider different options and their economic impacts. I’ve even started thinking about increasing the seed rate during sowing." Pilot Training 1 participant, farmer Petri Rahkonen, Korpitikka Oy.
Juho Pirttiniemi
Ulla Heinonen
