On 21st May, at the Permanent Representation of Portugal to the European Union (REPER) in Brussels, the PERSONA Final Conference, “Farming the Future: Skills, Innovation and AI-Driven Learning for European Agriculture”, brought together partners, policy representatives and agricultural stakeholders to reflect on how vocational education and training can better respond to the changing needs of European farmers.
At the heart of the discussion was a clear message: European agriculture is changing rapidly, and farmers need learning opportunities that are flexible, relevant and directly connected to their daily work. Climate change, digitalisation, new regulations, labour market shifts and technological innovation are reshaping the sector. In this context, traditional training models are not always sufficient. Farmers often face time constraints, need highly practical content and rely strongly on trusted local networks.
The PERSONA project has addressed these challenges by developing an innovative learning approach that combines micro-credentials, work-based learning, AI-driven personalisation and human support.
Micro-credentials for a changing agricultural sector
The conference opened with an overview of PERSONA’s work on micro-credential systems across Europe. Project partners analysed agricultural training opportunities in six countries and mapped more than 650 courses. However, only a small number were identified as micro-accredited, highlighting the need for clearer frameworks and stronger integration of micro-credentials into vocational education and training.
Micro-credentials are particularly relevant in the current context of the green and digital transitions. They offer targeted learning opportunities on specific topics and allow learners to build skills progressively. For farmers and agricultural professionals, this approach can be more manageable than long training programmes, especially when learning must fit around demanding work schedules.
The project also explored how micro-credentials can be aligned with European tools and frameworks, including the European Qualifications Framework, EQAVET and the European Digital Credentials infrastructure available through Europass.
The PERSONA learning programme
The PERSONA programme is structured around six modules designed to respond to practical needs in the agricultural sector:
- Agricultural Financial Management
- Agricultural Software Support Tools
- Sustainable Agriculture
- Farm Entrepreneurship
- Robotics in Agriculture
- The Role of Groups in Agriculture
Together, these modules cover financial management, digital tools, sustainability, innovation, entrepreneurship, robotics, collaboration and communication. The aim is not only to provide knowledge, but also to support farmers and learners in applying that knowledge in real agricultural contexts.
The programme reflects the need for agricultural VET to combine teaching, practical learning and recognised credentials. It also supports a more personalised learning experience, allowing learners to engage with content that is relevant to their background, level of experience and professional needs.
AI-driven learning with a human dimension
A key feature of PERSONA is its Hybrid-AI system and education platform. The system is designed to adapt to individual learners by considering their existing knowledge, learning needs and preferences. Rather than offering the same generic course to every participant, PERSONA supports personalised learning pathways.
This is particularly important for farmers, who may have years of practical experience but limited time for formal training. A farmer managing a family farm, for example, may not be able to follow a long standardised course. However, they may be able to engage with short, focused learning units that respond to immediate challenges on the farm.
The conference also underlined that AI cannot replace the human element in agricultural learning. Trust remains essential. Farmers often rely on local advisors, peers, cooperatives and farmers’ organisations. For AI-driven learning to be effective, it must be combined with human support, local knowledge and opportunities for peer exchange.
Lessons from piloting and work-based learning
PERSONA’s piloting activities demonstrated the importance of work-based learning and peer engagement. The project involved on-site learning experiences, similar to an internship format, and included a human component through ambassadors. In total, 45 students became ambassadors, supporting peer exchange and sharing their experiences through video testimonials.
This approach reinforces one of the central conclusions of the conference: agricultural training should not be disconnected from the farm. Learning is most effective when it is linked to real tasks, real problems and real decision-making processes.
Addressing barriers to farmer training
During the panel discussion on the future of skills and innovation in EU agriculture, speakers highlighted three major barriers to farmer engagement in training: time, relevance and trust.
Farmers’ schedules are shaped by immediate needs such as harvests, weather conditions and animal care. A 40-hour training programme, even if well designed, may be unrealistic for many farmers. This makes micro-learning and modular training particularly valuable.
Relevance is another crucial factor. Training must reflect the specific realities of different regions, farm types and agricultural systems. A livestock farmer in one region will not necessarily benefit from the same content as a greenhouse farmer in another. Generic training can lead to disengagement and high dropout rates.
Trust is equally important. Farmers are more likely to engage with learning opportunities when they are introduced through people and organisations they already know. This means that scaling innovative training models requires strong local partnerships with farmers’ organisations, cooperatives and advisory services.
Policy perspectives and the role of AKIS
The conference also explored the policy context supporting farmer learning and innovation. The Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems framework, known as AKIS, plays an important role in connecting farmers, researchers, advisors and other knowledge actors.
Within the Common Agricultural Policy, Member States are encouraged to strengthen knowledge exchange and ensure that training responds to farmers’ needs. Peer-to-peer learning, demonstration activities and multi-actor innovation projects were highlighted as particularly valuable tools.
Speakers also referred to the role of EIP Operational Groups, Horizon Europe projects and national CAP networks in supporting innovation and knowledge dissemination. These instruments can help projects like PERSONA reach wider audiences, provided that scaling is understood as adaptation and organised delivery rather than simply rolling out a platform.
Scaling with local relevance
A recurring message from the conference was that scaling must be done carefully. For PERSONA, scaling does not mean offering the same solution everywhere. It means adapting the model to local languages, local farming systems, connectivity conditions and trusted delivery channels.
The PERSONA model is well suited to modular growth. It can begin with one learning unit, in one region, with one group of learners, and then expand step by step. This gradual approach can help build trust and demonstrate real value before wider adoption.
However, successful scaling will require resources, partnerships and attention to digital infrastructure. AI-based learning systems can only support rural communities effectively if connectivity challenges are also addressed.
A practical model for the future of agricultural training
The PERSONA Final Conference showed that farmers are not resistant to learning. They are resistant to investing time in training that is too generic, too long or disconnected from their daily reality. Effective agricultural learning must therefore be practical, trusted, flexible and directly useful.
By combining micro-credentials, AI-driven personalisation, work-based learning and human support, PERSONA offers a promising model for the future of agricultural VET in Europe. It recognises farmers’ existing knowledge, respects their time and supports them in developing the skills needed to navigate a changing agricultural landscape.
As European agriculture continues to face environmental, technological and economic pressures, initiatives like PERSONA can help ensure that skills development remains inclusive, relevant and connected to the people who need it most.