Abstract
Contemporary agriculture is increasingly oriented toward the synergistic adoption of technologies such as the Internet of Things, Internet of Farming, big data analytics, and blockchain to combine resource protection and economic, social, and environmental sustainability. In Italy, the market growth potential of “Agriculture 4.0” and “Farming 4.0” solutions is very high, but the adoption of the related technological innovations is still low. Italian companies are increasingly aware of the opportunities offered by the 4.0 paradigm, but there are still cultural and technological limits to the full development of the phenomenon. This research aims to contribute to knowledge that will improve the propensity of agricultural operators to adopt the digital solutions of “Agriculture 4.0” by demonstrating its potential, along with its limits. To this end, an integrated methodological approach was adopted, built with focus groups and multicriteria analysis, to define and assess the possible future scenarios resulting from the implementation of digital transformation. The results show an increased focus on solutions that allow the integration of new tools to support those already used in the business organization and at a sustainable cost. To enable the development of “Agriculture 4.0”, we propose that it is necessary to invest in training operators in the supply chain, and above all, raising awareness among farmers, who it is essential fully appreciate the potential benefits of the 4.0 revolution.
Highlights
The digital transformation generated by information and communication technologies (ICT) affects every aspect of human society, enhancing traditional innovation and development processes
It generates rapid product and process innovations that affect different segments of society [1–8]. These processes are based on the use of a series of enabling technologies, divided into product-service and process innovations, which are of strategic economic importance [9,10], including, in particular, the Internet of Things and big data
The Italian agrifood sector has begun to understand that digital innovation is a strategic lever, capable of guaranteeing greater competitiveness for the entire supply chain, from production in the field to distribution and food processing
Summary
The digital transformation generated by information and communication technologies (ICT) affects every aspect of human society, enhancing traditional innovation and development processes. It generates rapid product and process innovations that affect different segments of society (from the economy, communication, e-government, services, art, and archaeology to medicine and science) [1–8]. These processes are based on the use of a series of enabling technologies, divided into product-service and process innovations, which are of strategic economic importance [9,10], including, in particular, the Internet of Things and big data. Between urban and rural areas, the digital divide constitutes a major constraint on the use of new technologies among farmers, with consequences for the diffusion of innovations and access to global markets
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