Agricultural research produces highly diverse datasets. Individual Living Labs may use different sensors, terminology, file structures and data models even when measuring similar characteristics.
This creates a basic interoperability problem: having access to multiple datasets does not necessarily mean they can easily be compared or analysed together.
CAgriLab is addressing this challenge through the development of common data structures and harmonisation tools.
By October 2025, the project had developed harmonisation functionality using GLOSIS, the Global Soil Information System, as a foundation for standardising soil information.
Why harmonisation matters
Making data comparable is particularly important when studying regenerative agriculture.
Results observed at one location may depend on soil conditions, climate, crop type, previous management and experimental design. Researchers therefore need both the measured outcome and sufficient contextual information to determine whether evidence from another site is relevant.
A common structure makes it easier to connect these different pieces of information.
During the same period, HAMK completed field-season data collection covering forage, soil and biodiversity measurements, providing real Living Lab information with which CAgriLab's wider data infrastructure could be developed and tested.
The harmonisation work provides one of the foundations for CAgriLab's broader goal: enabling evidence generated across different Living Labs to become more discoverable, comparable and reusable.