The consortium will evolve over time, driven by the needs of its members and their clients. In a first incubation phase (2021-2022), we will focus on working together on data-driven crop nutrition solutions for small- to medium-size farms in low- and middle-income countries, with a particular emphasis on Africa and Asia.

CPCN Members actively participate in the consortium’s activities and are encouraged to contribute relevant data and expertise to the overall platform. Members may also engage in bilateral or multi-lateral projects with each other. The consortium will interact closely with other global or regional initiatives on data and digital tools for agriculture, for example on data standards, sources and analytical tools.

A Steering Committee oversees the consortium’s activities, including a sub-committee that deals with data policy and management guidelines. The consortium priorities and operational model will be co-developed together with the members to ensure clear demand, transparent principles and membership rules, and benefits for all public and private partners, including rules for data management and other intellectual property.

Building on many previous research and extension activities, the consortium aims to join up R&D efforts and data from international and national research programs, and linking them better with industry. A key priority for that is the development of common standards, protocols and databases, as well as a library of algorithms and rules, including specific case studies pursued in different crops and regions. 

Beyond 2022, the consortium may expand in scope and activities, and it may move towards a tiered membership approach, including paying members in order to self-support more of its operations.