Leveraging automation and digitalization for precision agriculture: Evidence from the case studies

Ceccarelli, T.; Chauhan, A.; Rambaldi, G.; Kumar, I.; Cappello, C.; Janssen, S.; McCampbell, M.;

Leveraging automation and digitalization for precision agriculture: Evidence from the case studies

Background paper for The State of Food and Agriculture 2022

Year of publication 2022

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 120 p.

Author Ceccarelli, T.; Chauhan, A.; Rambaldi, G.; Kumar, I.; Cappello, C.; Janssen, S.; McCampbell, M.;

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Book (series)

ISBN 978-92-5-137192-3

Series title FAO Agricultural Development Economics Technical Studies

Series number No. 24

Full item page

Synopsis (short abstract) Digital and automation solutions for precision agriculture can improve efficiency, productivity, product quality and sustainability. Nevertheless, barriers to adoption of such solutions – including their cost, lack of knowledge and skills, and the absence of an enabling environment and infrastructure – can prevent producers from realizing these benefits. Building on findings from 22 case studies worldwide, this study finds that national data policies and infrastructure are key enablers of adoption, as is investment in connectivity (e.g. internet) and electricity in rural areas. Further research and information on the economic, environmental and social impacts of the solutions are also needed to provide evidence on their benefits. So too is investment in human capacity development, particularly digital literacy. To ensure an inclusive process, solutions must be adapted across agricultural production systems, regions and farm types. Partnerships and networks for exchanging information and promoting collaboration will key. Finally, awareness raising and communication are important since consumers can be skeptical about food being produced by new technologies. In summary, by focusing on a variety of solutions, this study provides a landscape analysis of digital and automation solutions and offers guidance to accelerate adoption for more inclusive, sustainable and resilient agrifood systems.

This study was developed as a background document for the FAO report The State of Food and Agriculture 2022 – Leveraging automation in agriculture for transforming agrifood systems.

Cite this content as:

Ceccarelli, T., Chauhan, A., Rambaldi, G., Kumar, I., Cappello, C., Janssen, S. & McCampbell, M. 2022. Leveraging automation and digitalization for precision agriculture: Evidence from the case studies. Background paper for The State of Food and Agriculture 2022. FAO Agricultural Development Economics Technical Study No. 24. Rome, FAO.

https://doi.org/10.4060/cc2912en

Language English

Related items

Showing items related by metadata.

Book (series)

Agricultural digitalization and automation in low- and middle-income countries: Evidence from ten case studies
Background paper for The State of Food and Agriculture 2022
2022

Also available in:

No results found.

Digital and automation solutions can solve labour bottlenecks, increase agricultural productivity, resilience and efficiency, and improve environmental sustainability. However, access is limited in low- and lower-middle-income countries, especially for small-scale producers. Based on ten case studies in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean and Asia, this study investigates the suitability of digital and automation solutions for small-scale producers, the main drivers and barriers to their adoption and the role of policies and regulations in creating an enabling environment. Findings show that technologies in the study countries are largely limited to smartphones and tablets, and related software tools (e.g. mobile applications). Most digital and automation solutions focus on crops, some on livestock and aquaculture, and a few on agroforestry. The most important adoption barriers include the high investment cost, lack of digital skills and knowledge and a lack of an enabling environment. Yet, advances in mechanization supported by digital technologies, and the development of hiring platforms foster adoption. The emergence of guidelines, strategic plans and policies that regulate and streamline automation should be encouraged, as should providing producers with information about the benefits and costs of digital and automation solutions.
Book (series)
The State of Food and Agriculture 2022
Leveraging agricultural automation for transforming agrifood systems
2022

Also available in:

Arabic
Chinese
French
Russian
Spanish

Automation has been shaping world agriculture since the early twentieth century. Motorized mechanization has brought significant benefits in terms of improved productivity, reduced drudgery and more efficient allocation of labour, but also some negative environmental impacts. More recently, a new generation of digital agricultural automation technologies has appeared, with the potential to further enhance productivity, as well as resilience, while also addressing the environmental sustainability challenges driven by past mechanization.The State of Food and Agriculture 2022 looks into the drivers of agricultural automation, including the more recent digital technologies. Based on 27 case studies, the report analyses the business case for adoption of digital automation technologies in different agricultural production systems across the world. It identifies several barriers preventing inclusive adoption of these technologies, particularly by small-scale producers. Key barriers are low digital literacy and lack of an enabling infrastructure, such as connectivity and access to electricity, in addition to financial constraints. Based on the analysis, the publication suggests policies to ensure that disadvantaged groups in developing regions can benefit from agricultural automation and that automation contributes to sustainable and resilient agrifood systems.
Policy brief

Transforming agriculture with digital automation 2022

Also available in:

No results found.

The adoption of digital automation technologies in agriculture has been slow despite its potential to enhance the precision of agricultural operations, improve working conditions, and address environmental challenges, while building resilience to shocks and stresses. Most technologies are still relatively new and costly, especially for low- and middle-income countries, where poor connectivity and energy supply, and limited human capacity further hinder adoption. Incentivizing uptake requires creating a conducive business environment and suiting technologies to local conditions, especially for small-scale agriculture.