This chapter has presented the trends and discussed the drivers of motorized mechanization in agriculture production systems, as well as more recent digital automation technologies. It has highlighted the wide disparities in mechanization across the world: Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean have shown considerable progress regarding mechanization, driven by farming system evolution, structural transformation, and urbanization, while in sub-Saharan Africa, progress has been limited. It has also discussed how and where digital automation has been used successfully in agriculture and its potential to transform the use of agricultural machinery.
Any discussion on the benefits of both mechanization and digital automation in agriculture usually starts with labour saving, but quickly moves on to other advantages. In the case of motorized mechanization, the most recognized benefit is reduction of drudgery, in addition to timeliness of operations in the face of scarce and seasonal agricultural labour. While mechanization is associated with positive effects related to labour productivity, poverty reduction, food security, improved nutrition, and health and well-being, it also raises concerns with regard to unemployment,107 biodiversity loss,108, 109 land degradation,15, 110 and growing disparities between large and small farms.111, 112 These concerns seem to derive mainly from the dominance of large-scale motorized machinery powered by large four-wheel tractors.7, 113, 114
The literature on digital automation claims that it can reverse some of the above-mentioned social and environmental challenges of motorized mechanization.48 Examples of benefits include: scale-neutral field operations (as a result of smaller equipment); accuracy of input application; reduced soil compaction (on account of small swarm robots); ability to conduct field operations where manual or mechanical technologies are hindered (e.g. wet soils and steep hillsides); profitable farming in small and irregularly shaped fields; and automated collection of crop and livestock data.54, 82, 115
This chapter has shown that an array of technological solutions are already available for potential adoption in countries at different stages of development. The challenge for governments is to achieve inclusive adoption by facilitating access for all, including small-scale producers, women, youth and vulnerable groups, and to ensure that available technology solutions are tailored to the specific context and needs of different producers.
Ensuring inclusive adoption, with all the challenges it entails, will allow countries to benefit from digital automation technologies and help drive the transformation of agrifood systems in an equitable and sustainable manner. The cases presented in this chapter illustrate how it is possible for small-scale producers to benefit from mechanization services and digital automation while reducing their environmental footprint. However, there is growing evidence that government policy choices will influence the direction of these technologies and their adoption in different countries and by different producers. Policy choices determine access to credit, capacity building and information. Ideally, countries should try to create a level playing field for innovative technologies that are relevant to local agrifood systems. This will allow the private sector to match supply and demand for motorized mechanization, digital automation and robotics. The next chapter will present the business case for these technologies and their prospects for transforming agriculture. In particular, it will discuss how motorized mechanization, often combined with digital solutions, can still play an important role, especially for small-scale producers in low- and lower-middle-income countries, where adoption has been slow.
