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{{Paper
|id=Vol-3930/paper24
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|title=An electronic platform for farm accounting and decision making
|pdfUrl=https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-3930/paper24.pdf
|volume=Vol-3930
|authors=Anna Tafidou,Evgenia Lialia,Asimina Kouriati,Eleni Dimitriadou,Christina Moulogianni,Angelos Prentzas,Thomas Bournaris,Georgios Kountios
|dblpUrl=https://dblp.org/rec/conf/haicta/TafidouLKDMPBK24
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==An electronic platform for farm accounting and decision making==
https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-3930/paper24.pdf
An electronic platform for farm accounting and decision
making⋆
Anna Tafidou1, ∗,†, Evgenia Lialia2,†, Asimina Kouriati2,†, Eleni Dimitriadou2,†, Christina
Moulogianni2,†, Angelos Prentzas2,†, Thomas Bournaris2,† and Georgios Kountios3,†
1
Department of Mathematics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
2
Department of Agricultural Economics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
3
Department of Agriculture, International Hellenic University, Sindos, 57400 Thessaloniki, Greece
Abstract
In the contemporary agricultural landscape, efficient management of agricultural holdings necessitates the
integration of technical and economic data. This paper introduces an electronic platform that integrates
data monitoring to meet the demands of modern agricultural practices. The platform offers a comprehensive
solution, enabling farmers and stakeholders to collect, analyze, and utilize both technical and economic
information. Through the utilization of modern technology, the platform provides user-friendly data input,
processing, and visualization. It encompasses various features, including real-time monitoring of crop
growth parameters, yield estimations, resource utilization, and financial performance indicators.
Furthermore, the platform is designed to promote interoperability, allowing integration with existing
agricultural management systems and data sources. This interoperability enhances the scalability and
adaptability of the platform, ensuring its relevance across diverse agricultural contexts. By providing a
unified solution for the integrated monitoring of technical and economic data, our electronic platform
empowers agricultural stakeholders with the tools necessary for optimized resource management, increased
productivity, and sustainable agricultural development. This paper presents the development,
functionalities, and potential applications of the electronic platform, underscoring its significance in
advancing agricultural practices towards greater efficiency and sustainability.
Keywords
Electronic platform, technical and economic data, farm accounting, decision making 1
1. Introduction
Agriculture emerges as a sector that greatly benefits from the advancement of innovative
technologies [1]. In an ever-evolving world, the European Union plays a central role in promoting
research and development within the agricultural sector. Through investments in innovation
programs and supportive policies for technology adoption, the EU has significantly bolstered the
sector's advancement [2,3].
Many farmers find it difficult to understand accounting information and cannot use it effectively.
Research has proven that the use of accounting software helps to increase the profitability of
agricultural holdings. Over time, accounting is essential for obtaining strategic data. Many farmers
choose to hire accountants to get reliable advice to help them through the receiving process.
⋆ Short Paper Proceedings, Volume I of the 11th International Conference on Information and Communication Technologies in
Agriculture, Food & Environment (HAICTA 2024), Karlovasi, Samos, Greece, 17-20 October 2024.
∗
Corresponding author.
†
These authors contributed equally.
atafi@agro.auth.gr (A. Tafidou); evlialia@agro.auth.gr (E. Lialia); kouriata@agro.auth.gr (A. Kouriati);
edimitri@agro.auth.gr (E. Dimitriadou); kristin@agro.auth.gr (C. Moulogiani); aprentzas@agro.auth.gr (A. Prentzas);
tbournar@agro.auth.gr (T. Bournaris); gkountios@gmail.com (G. Kountios)
0009-0001-9523-6993 (A. Tafidou); 0009-0000-4844-483X (E. Lialia); 0000-0002-4306-8553 (A. Kouriati); 0000-0002-7363-
0703 (E. Dimitriadou); 0000-0002-1364-4214 (C. Moulogiani); 0000-0002-4157-7418 (A. Prentzas); 0000-0001-9540-7265 (T.
Bournaris); 0000-0003-1957-5616 (G. Kountios)
© 2024 Copyright for this paper by its authors. Use permitted under Creative Commons License Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).
CEUR
Workshop
ceur-ws.org 138
ISSN 1613-0073
Proceedings
Accountants ought to utilize data-driven technological advancements more extensively, harnessing
this data to elevate strategic decision-making capabilities. [4,5].
The incorporation of new technologies in agriculture is described as the fourth agricultural
revolution [1]. Within the broader scope of this evolution, electronic platforms are playing an
increasingly significant role in agriculture. These platforms provide farmers with information and
tools that enable more efficient monitoring and management of their crops, leading to increased
productivity and reduced operational costs [6]. At the heart of this development is the ongoing need
for innovative solutions to address the challenges facing the agricultural sector, including adapting
to new EU regulations aimed at environmental protection. Electronic platforms serve as a powerful
tool in meeting these challenges.
This article introduces the electronic platform "Farm Economic Monitoring," which functions as
a tool for overseeing each production sector of a farm. The creation of this platform aims to assist
farmers in managing inputs and outputs for each growing season. The platform operates using data
on the requirements of each production sector. It subsequently provides results related to income
and offers information that aids in decision-making. [7].
2. Materials and Methods
The uniqueness of this project is evident in several ways. Initially, it is being implemented in the
Region of Central Macedonia, with the goal of expanding it across Greece.
The primary purpose of the platform is to enable the active participation of producers in
monitoring and managing the finances of their holdings. The "Farm Economic Monitoring" platform
is built upon an existing structure from the Agricultural Informatics Laboratory within the
Agricultural Economics sector of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. It is a crop monitoring
platform that monitors each production sector separately. As indicated in the existing literature, such
a platform does not currently exist [8], despite methodological applications [7]. At this juncture, it is
important to note that accounting procedures play a crucial role in providing the necessary
information for decision-making processes. They provide farm managers with the information and
expertise needed to carry out crucial financial evaluations and pinpoint the advantages and
disadvantages of the farm [9]. These farm accounting records can serve as indicators of progress and
provide solutions for efficient management [10, 11]. These practices can also contribute to
management focused on sustainable development. Several points in the literature emphasize the
significance of farm accounting in the agricultural sector [9,10, 11, 12, 13, 14]. Considering all of the
above, it should also be noted that this platform was designed to be accessible to many producers
without financial burden. With its use, even producers in the most remote areas, who do not have
easy access to transportation, are facilitated. It allows them to enter their crop data and monitor
market conditions without needing to visit accounting offices for managing their finances and taxes.
Furthermore, it enhances farm efficiency [15,16] through the monitoring of inputs and outputs.
The development of this platform unfolded in four stages. Initially, a license for the online
platform was acquired. In the next stage, various tasks were carried out to create a beta application.
Subsequently, the beta application was refined into an initial functional version, which was then
piloted by members of three farmer groups in the vicinity of Thessaloniki. These farmers utilized the
platform to identify errors in its current form and to emphasize additional functional customizations
needed. Finally, based on the feedback from these user-farmers, the platform's final version was
completed and is now hosted at the following link: https://fem.farmplanning.gr/. Upon entering the
home page, it is necessary to create a profile and then select the year of registration of the
information (Figure 1). The platform menu is divided into the entries part and the results part.
139
Figure 1: The Home Page of Farm Economic Monitoring
The registration section includes censuses, where information is recorded about production
branches and parcels of land. It also includes an inventory of assets and loans for the selected growing
season. At the same time, the entries section also includes diaries where daily work is recorded
separately for each production branch. The final part of the entries includes incomes and expenses
of the agricultural holding realized during the selected growing season (Figure 2).
Figure 2: The Platform Menu of Farm Economic Monitoring
The data entered undergoes automatic processing, following the rules of agriculture, accounting,
and assessment [17]. The results section is characterized by its focus on decision-making, as based
on these results, producers can make the most rational decisions for their crops. By combining the
entered information with the necessary formulas, each user can be informed about (Figure 3):
1. The capital structure of the holding
2. The technical and economic data of the production branches
3. The variable cost of production branches
4. The working hours of the production branches (human and mechanical)
5. The gross income
6. Production costs (divided into land, labor, and capital)
140
7. The financial results.
Figure 3: The Result Section of Farm Economic Monitoring
To obtain accurate results, data entry into the diaries should be done systematically. With the
platform's assistance, it becomes possible to reduce production costs and adapt to new CAP
measures, as technical and financial data can be easily reviewed through the results.
Overall, the project aims to effectively manage farm inputs and outputs, identify best practices,
and optimize processes for greater efficiency. The new information provided by the platform
contributes to informed decision-making, influences the operational activities of the farm, and
generates new data for continuous improvement.
3. Conclusions
The electronic platform "Farm Economic Monitoring" has been developed with the primary goal
of streamlining operations for farmers and supporting their modernization efforts. The platform
features user-friendly interfaces designed to deliver crucial information for informed decision-
making. One of its key functionalities is the capability to record and monitor different crops
separately, providing detailed financial insights into each production branch. This feature enhances
financial management and optimizes production planning by leveraging essential data.
Furthermore, the platform aids in compliance with the latest CAP (Common Agricultural Policy)
regulations, thereby improving eligibility for subsidies and ultimately increasing revenues. However,
a significant drawback of the platform is the continual need for upgrades to incorporate new tools
and adjust to evolving regulations. Despite this challenge, the platform's flexibility enables ongoing
adaptation to new technologies, ensuring its continued relevance and effectiveness over time.
Successful utilization of the platform necessitates users familiarizing themselves with its
functionalities and comprehending the insights it provides. By doing so, farmers can maximize the
benefits of enhanced financial control, streamlined operations, and improved compliance with
agricultural regulations.
The "Farm Economic Monitoring" electronic platform represents a substantial advancement in
agricultural management, providing farmers with a comprehensive toolkit to navigate the
complexities of modern agriculture. In addition to its fundamental features of crop recording and
financial monitoring, the platform acts as a centralized hub for integrating data-driven insights into
operational strategies. By leveraging real-time data on crop yields, market trends, and financial
performance, farmers can make proactive decisions that optimize efficiency and increase
profitability. This proactive approach not only promotes sustainable farming practices but also
enhances resilience against market fluctuations and regulatory changes. Moreover, the platform's
capability to streamline compliance processes with CAP regulations highlights its crucial role in
141
securing subsidies and maximizing revenue streams. While continuous upgrades and adaptation to
new technologies are essential, the platform's adaptability ensures ongoing support for farmers in
optimizing productivity and striving for long-term success in agriculture.
Acknowledgements
This research was funded by the Rural Development Program (RDP) and is co-financed by the
European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and Greece, grand number Μ16ΣΥΝ2-
00225.
Declaration on Generative AI
The author(s) have not employed any Generative AI tools.
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