A Framework for Fourth Industrial Revolution Adoption by Small-Scale Rural Farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

Climate change is witnessed in unpredictable weather conditions that negatively affect human lives, economies, and farming worldwide. This results in severe heat waves and a shift in rainfall patterns. This is a major global threat to agriculture and food security, especially for rural farmers. Small-scale rural-based farmers contribute immensely to local communities’ socio-economic well-being and food security. However, most of the small-scale rural farmers are constrained, especially regarding resources. There is a need for the agricultural industry in rural areas to adopt the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) technologies to predict and make well-informed decisions on how to manage existing, often constrained resources efficiently. Government support, in various forms, is equally needed. Furthermore, adopting 4IR by small-scale rural farmers will assist countries in the Sub-Saharan African region in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Number 2 on ‘Zero Hunger’ by achieving food security and promoting smart, sustainable agriculture. However, there is a deficiency in the literature on 4IR adoption frameworks to guide small-scale rural farmers in adopting 4IR tools to manage their resources and promote sustainable agriculture. This study aims to develop a 4IR adoption framework that could guide small-scale rural farmers in adopting 4IR tools for managing their resources and promoting smart agriculture. A systematic literature review approach is employed to identify critical components significant for adopting 4IR in rural farming. Rural farmers may use this framework as a guiding lens when adopting 4IR tools. This study broadens the scope of the scant literature on the best practices for adopting 4IR for smart small-scale rural farming in Sub-Saharan Africa and other developing nations with similar setups. The smart-scale rural farming is mainstreamed within the smart village concept and the greenfield orgreen economy resilient to harsh climate change conditions.