Digital Agricultural Technologies Research Articles

Digitalization and energy conservation as key factors in the development of agro-industrial complex of the country

Subject. The study explores the impact of digitalization on effective development of the country’s agro-industrial complex. Objectives. The purpose is to identify advantages and disadvantages in the introduction of elements of digitalization in the agricultural production of the country and the level of readiness for its use, examine possible risks when using elements of digitalization in the agro-industrial complex. Methods. The study employs abstract-logical, monographic, comparative methods. Results. We reviewed the concept of digitalization in relation to agricultural production, analyzed and assessed risks when using digitalization elements in agricultural activities. The paper presents graphical distribution of districts by the level of digitalization in agriculture. Conclusions. The introduction of each element requires significant financial and labor costs. Systematic implementation of digital technologies in agriculture will become the basis for its further development.

Preface

The Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Modern Technologies in Agricultural Sciences (4th-ICMTAS) are encompassed within this Volume. The event was organized by the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Kufa in Iraq. From September 20th to September 21st, 2023, the city of Kufa in Najaf, Iraq.The primary objective of the Conference was to facilitate the sharing of expertise among prominent specialists in the domains of high-tech geochemical, geological, geophysical, and information technologies in various sectors such as agriculture, energy, oil and gas engineering, environmental management and engineering, mining, and soil processing technologies. Additionally, the conference aimed to explore contemporary areas of biodiversity research and conservation methods for sustainable development. It also sought to examine the environmental impact of food production and sustainable systems of food technologies. Other topics of interest included agroforestry, environmental safety, green technologies, and the management of natural resources.The Conference was structured according to the following guidelines:The academic disciplines encompassed in this list include ecology, plant protection, horticulture and forest ecology, agronomy and medicinal plants, food technology and sustainability of food security, sustainability of animal production techniques, sustainability of soil and water resources, agricultural mechanization techniques, and renewable energy resources, as well as techniques of agricultural economic and social sciences.The primary objectives of the conference were to offer lecturers and researchers from across Iraq a platform to disseminate their research on an international scale, engage in discussions pertaining to technological advancements and innovative engineering solutions in the fields of farming and irrigation, and contribute to the global academic community by providing open access information on the current state of agriculture in Iraq.A total of 722 submissions were submitted by scientists and practitioners from Iraq as well as international contributors.All of the papers underwent a rigorous process of peer assessment. Consequently, a total of 542 submissions were chosen for publishing. The present proceedings provide readers with an overview of recent advancements in various areas of study, including agricultural machinery, green energy systems, biosystems engineering and waste management, digital technologies in agriculture, food storage and processing, tillage and reclamation technologies, and natural resources.The IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (EES) was selected as the platform for authors to publish their works in a globally recognized publication that undergoes rigorous peer review. The aforementioned statement is highly regarded by all attendees of our conference.We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Chairman, the distinguished keynote speakers, as well as all the participants. We also want to thank the publisher for publishing the proceedings. May the readers could enjoy the gain some valuable knowledge from it. We are expecting more and more experts and scholars from all over the world to join this international event next year.List of committees for 4th International Conference of Modern Technologies in Agricultural Sciences (4th-ICMTAS), Local Scientific Committee, International Scientific Committee, Organizing Committee, Media and Technical Committee, Keynote Speakers are available in the pdf.

Factors Affecting the Adoption of Digital Technology by Farmers in China: A Systematic Literature Review

Increasing pressure for food security and environmental sustainability has highlighted the need to switch from conventional agricultural methods to advanced agricultural practices. Digital agricultural technologies are considered promising solutions for sustainable intensification of food production and environmental protection. Despite significant promotional efforts initiated in recent years in China, the adoption rate remains low. The objective of this study is to gain insight into the factors affecting the adoption of on-farm digital technologies in China using a systematic review approach that analyzes 10 relevant studies. Data regarding methodological aspects and results are extracted. We identify 19 key adoption drivers that are related to socioeconomic, agroecological, technological, institutional, psychological, and behavioral factors. There is a predominance of ex-ante studies that use stated preference methods. We conclude with a discussion of the design of policy incentives to induce the adoption of digital technologies. Additionally, the review points to the limitations of existing research and suggests approaches that can be adopted for future investigations. This review provides meaningful implications for the development of future efforts to promote digital transformation for sustainable agriculture in China.

Smallholder farmers’ perception and adoption of digital agricultural technologies: An empirical evidence from Vietnam

This study examines smallholder farmers’ perception of digital agricultural technology and factors that shape the smallholders’ adoption of it in South Central Vietnam. A sample size of 202 smallholder farmers was randomly chosen from a total population of 407 smallholder farmers. Descriptive statistics and a binary logistic regression were used to analyse the data. The results show that the internet and connectivity/wireless, mobile applications and digital platforms are the common digital technologies used by smallholder farmers and these are also the most effective digital technologies for dealing with agricultural production and marketing issues. It can be concluded that younger smallholder farmers who had higher education levels, who interacted with scientists and possessed large farms are in a better position to adopt digital technologies of the internet and connectivity/wireless, mobile applications and digital platforms than older smallholder farmers who had lower education levels, did not interact with scientists and owned small farms. Smallholder farmers who participated in training programs, was member of community-based organisations and contacted with extension workers tend to be digital technology users of the internet and connectivity/wireless and mobile applications. Smallholder farmers who live far from local markets tend to be digital technology users of digital platforms compared to those who live close to one. The provision of training courses on the use of digital technologies in agriculture that consider demographic, socio-economic and institutional characteristics of smallholders when designing and delivering, is a proper agricultural extension strategy which can foster the smallholder farmers to adopt digital technologies for managing agricultural production and marketing systems.

THE ROLE OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES IN INCREASING THE EFFICIENCY OF AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISES

This article analyzes the experience of foreign countries in the use of digital technologies in agriculture and its importance. Features of achieving economic efficiency as a result of the use of digital technologies in agriculture are shown. Conclusions and suggestions on achieving efficiency in the process of digitization in agricultural enterprises are given.

Estimating agriculture technologies’ impact on maize yield in rural South Africa

New technologies and digital infrastructures are enabling smart farming with high productivity levels across countries. Yet, there is dearth of evidence on how they are enabling smallholder farmers in Africa to increase their farm produce. By focussing on smallholder maize crop producers in South Africa and relying on a panel data for the period 2011–2021, this study applied a stochastic production frontier framework and Cobb–Douglas production function to estimate the relationship between variance of yield increase in relation to aggregate modern technologies adopted. The stochastic production frontier model was estimated using simple ordinary least square, maximum likelihood estimation and probit regressions. The analysis adopted a three-stage procedure which began with the specification of regression model, the calculation of least residuals squares of the explanatory variables and finally the estimation of the variances in the functional forms of output levels. The results revealed a positive relation between the application of digital agriculture technologies and increased crop performance for rural maize cultivators in South Africa. The policy inference from this study is that accelerating investment in digital agriculture infrastructure offers the promise of a quadruple return for South Africa’s agriculture sector.

Satellite systems and digital technologies in agriculture: state, problems, professional competencies

The goal is to study the possibilities of using digital technologies in agriculture, economic efficiency on the example of digital product "Cropio" – a satellite monitoring system. Methods – analysis, synthesis, comparison and analogy, selection of data and their detailing. The article shows the conditions for the implementation of information processes in agro-industrial complex, considers the current state, problems, substantiates the need for the use of smart technologies, clarifies the concept of "precision farming". The authors analyze the benefits of the Cropio program, which is used in agricultural sector of developed countries. Its functionality allows not only to control the sowing work, but also to determine soil moisture, its saturation with nutrients. It is noted that the program generates information on climatic and weather conditions, calculates the savings in material resources. The software components, their functions, installation process, acquisition mechanisms, and information are presented. Results – calculations of the expected economic effect from the use of this automation system were carried out, profitability and expediency of applying the methodology for evaluating investment were determined. Conclusions – technical and information solutions of the Cropio precision farming project are becoming more and more popular every year, confirming their promise, they can reduce labor costs, increase productivity of farmland, and therefore reduce cost of finished products. Observation of objects based on satellite navigation, computer technology and digital maps makes it possible to assess rationality and timeliness of financial resources, take into account a number of factors that affect market value and profitability of land, minimize various risks, optimize production activities through construction of new business processes.

Agriculture in the face of new digitization technologies

Agriculture plays a vital role in food production, resource utilization, and employment but faces challenges from population growth, climate change, and food shortages. The development of information technology has significantly contributed to the industry's development, and modern technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, computer vision, and machine learning have revolutionized agricultural practices. The purpose of this review is to explore the adoption of digital technologies in agriculture, with a specific focus on their application in livestock breeding. Through the examination of current literature and the utilization of various research methods, this review contributes to the existing knowledge in the field. It is established that the latest information tools allow collecting, analysing data, automating tasks and supporting decision-making, which leads to increased agricultural efficiency, resource management and sustainable development. It has been proven that modern technologies play a crucial role in increasing agricultural production, improving the efficiency of livestock and crop production. These technologies include devices and sensors, data analytics and decision support systems, as well as systems for overall farm productivity assessment. Precision technologies in agriculture, thanks to automation, sensors and machine learning, allow farmers to monitor animal health, optimise feed consumption, detect diseases at early stages and increase overall productivity. IT solutions in agriculture facilitate data processing, visualisation and decision-making, leading to lower costs, greater efficiency and improved food security. The study provides practical insights for farmers and other agricultural stakeholders who can benefit from accurate information, real-time monitoring and automated processes through the integration of modern technologies, ultimately improving agricultural practices and sustainability

THE USE OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES IN THE AGRO-INDUSTRIAL SECTOR IN KAZAKHSTAN

The purpose of the study of this article is to reveal the features of the development of the digital economy of agro-industrial complex through the introduction of digital and innovative technologies in the work of the agricultural sector of Kazakhstan and the effectiveness of their use.Methodology. Scientific methods such as analysis, collection and processing of primary data, statistical observation and comparison, comparative methods were applied in the work on this article.Originality / value of the study. The value of the study lies in the formation of scientific, practical and methodological provisions, including various aspects of management of innovative digital technologies in agriculture.Findings. The main trends of digital transformation in agro-industrial production in Kazakhstan are considered. The prerequisites for the implementation of digital technologies in agriculture and their benefits are identified. The analysis of the use of innovative digital technologies in agriculture, where economic evaluation of the effectiveness of robotic technologies in crop production was carried out.

POTENTIAL FOR DIGITALIZATION OF AGRICULTURE IN BULGARIA

The level of digitalisation in society, and particularly in agriculture, is a focus that attracts the attention of many researchers. The results of their research are transformed into programmes and strategic documents aimed at overcoming the digitisation gap by creating conditions for the implementation of digital technologies in agriculture. This report presents some of the results obtained with respect to a survey carried out among companies in the agricultural sector, and mainly the livestock sub-sector. The data show a relatively low level of digitization and readiness for investments in this area. There is also a direct correlation between the size of enterprises in terms of staff number and the pursuit of digital transformation.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR DIGITISATION OF AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT SOLUTIONS

Agriculture and development of rural areas are characterized by transformations, reforms, changes, and the search for innovation. Identification of solution alternatives and their effective implementation require human resources capable of concentrating and systemically setting priorities and performing necessary tasks for realization of ideas. With the help of agricultural digitization, one employee can communicate with several robotic devices at once by sending them specific instructions, thereby synchronizing their work with each other. Such activities in agriculture help to save time and achieve higher productivity. Purpose of the study is to analyse opportunities for digitisation of agricultural and rural development solutions. The focus is on one of the options, the aim is to define how in a digital environment, using decision support systems (DSS), one employee can carry out several jobs and, according to feedback signal, perform their quality monitoring. Using digital technologies in agriculture and rural change management, employees can guarantee that every modern agricultural and rural development management system will start its work on time, perform it qualitatively and finish it on time. An employee can monitor the processes of change in agriculture and rural environment with the help of information technology. With the help of internet technologies and robots, implemented advanced information systems (such as DSS) can collect, analyse and process huge data (metrological, soil conditions, market information, etc.), so one person can perform several jobs at the same time. Not all DSS are equally modern, allowing to analyse both tactical and strategic decisions. In order to successfully address the challenges of digitisation of agriculture and rural development, it is proposed to facilitate cooperation between a human (operator) and a robot when they exchange and (or) share tasks, control multifunctional processes, and, according to the obtained results, make changes to the components of the process in order to achieve the best result.

“How can we?” the need to direct research in digital agriculture towards capacities

Concerns about digital agriculture reinforcing industrialised models of agriculture and power inequalities have been widely articulated. This paper uses directionalities, which are characterised by dominant and durable directions or pathways, to conceptualise this envisaged entrenchment. It argues that we need to anticipate and collect the evidence on which to govern digital agriculture technologies before such directionalities set in. To support this anticipatory need, the paper draws on findings from a research prioritisation exercise with stakeholders in the UK. It identifies and critically analyses two interconnecting meta-themes, organisational capacity and human capacity, which emerged inductively in the analysis of selected themes and priority research questions. In doing this, the paper widens the scope of enquiry about digital agriculture, by introducing ‘capacities’ as a new theoretical lens to examine how institutional structures and processes shape the utilisation of digital data, technologies and their underlying directionalities. The paper concludes by outlining the implications of this new perspective on directionalities and capacities for digital agriculture research in the UK and internationally.

Toward AI-designed innovation diffusion policies using agent-based simulations and reinforcement learning: The case of digital tool adoption in agriculture

In this paper, we tackle innovation diffusion from the perspective of an institution which aims to encourage the adoption of a new product (i.e., an innovation) with mostly social rather than individual benefits. Designing such innovation adoption policies is a very challenging task because of the difficulty to quantify and predict its effect on the behaviors of non-adopters and the exponential size of the space of possible policies. To solve these issues, we propose an approach that uses agent-based modeling to simulate in a credible way the behaviors of possible adopters and (deep) reinforcement learning to efficiently explore the policy search space. An application of our approach is presented for the question of the use of digital technologies in agriculture. Empirical results on this case study validate our scheme and show the potential of our approach to learn effective innovation diffusion policies.

Digital Competency in Agriculture Sector- An Outlook in Indian Context

To become aware with how various digital tools are used in Indian agriculture and related industries nowadays. The information was gathered from various academic works and earlier research. The present study was confined in Southern Gangetic Zone of Bihar State during the year 2021-22. The present investigation was carried out in Southern Gangetic Zone for the study Two aspirational districts (NITI Ayog, 2018) namely Gaya, Banka and two non-aspirational district namely Patna, Bhagalpur. The findings indicated that the majority of farmers had gained significant knowledge about and were interested about adopting digital technology on their farms. The variables level of education, landholding, participation in extension activities, and scientific orientation were found to have positive and significant relationships with the attitude of farmers towards the use of digital tools, whereas other variables like age, farming experience, social participation, and cosmopoliteness were found to have non-significant relationships with the attitude of farmers towards the use of digital tools. Farmers working in digitalized environments still need a strong background of agricultural basics Government should invest time and money in spreading the word about the advantages of digitization. The importance of digital technologies in agriculture was highlighted in the report. This article discusses the various ways that digital tools can be applied, from crop planning to eventual crop purchases by farmers.

Information and Communication Technologies and Agricultural Production: New Evidence from Africa

While information and communication technologies (ICT) have proven to be useful in boosting agricultural production and productivity, regardless of the geographical location, much of the discussion on ICT and their impact focus on the global north, with deficient literature on the global south. The limited account of the global south shows mixed conclusions on the impact of information and communication technologies on agricultural production, with most studies focusing on crop production, as a proxy for agricultural production, leaving out livestock production. Animated by this concern, this article explores the impact of ICTs on agricultural production (crop and livestock) in Africa using panel data from 32 African countries and the panel autoregressive distributed lag model as the estimation technique. We find that individuals using internet significantly increased crop production in the long run. Specifically, a percentage increase in internet patronage increases crop production by 0.071% but significantly decreases the livestock production index, both in the short and long run. Mobile phone subscriptions had a significant negative impact on crop production in the long run but had a significant positive impact on livestock production in the long run. Fixed phone subscriptions significantly increased crop production in the long run but significantly decreased livestock production index in the long run. The findings show bidirectional causality between crop production and internet patronage, livestock production and individuals using internet, crop production and mobile cellular subscription, crop production and net national income, and rural population and both crop and livestock production. We recommend that governments in Africa increase funding investment in digital technologies to foster increased agricultural production while addressing structural challenges that constrain increased access to digital agricultural technologies. It might be useful if governments in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) incentivize the telecommunication companies to extend digital coverage to rural areas through tax rebates and holidays to encourage rural inclusion in the digital space to bridge the digital divide.

The Role of Digital Agriculture in Mitigating Climate Change and Ensuring Food Security: An Overview

Digital agriculture involving different tools and management practices has advanced considerably in recent years, intending to overcome climate risk and reduce food insecurity. Climate change and its impacts on agricultural production and food security are significant sources of public concern worldwide. The objective of this study was to provide an overview of the potential impact of digital agriculture technologies and practices that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance productivity while ensuring food security. Based on a comprehensive survey of the previously published works, it was found that due to global warming, altered precipitation patterns, and an increase in the frequency of extreme events, climate change has negatively impacted food security by reducing agricultural yields, slowing animal growth rates, and decreasing livestock productivity. The reviewed works also suggest that using digital technology in agriculture is necessary to mitigate the effect of climate change and food insecurity. In addition, issues regarding creating sustainable agricultural food systems, minimizing environmental pollution, increasing yields, providing fair and equitable food distribution, and reducing malnutrition leading to food security were discussed in detail. It was shown that while digital agriculture has a crucial role in mitigating climate change and ensuring food security, it requires a concerted effort from policymakers, researchers, and farmers to ensure that the benefits of digitalization are realized in a sustainable and equitable manner.

Problems of digital transformation in agriculture and instruments of state support

The article systematizes global trends in the spread of digital technologies in the field of agriculture. Quantitative estimates of the parameters of the development of digital technologies in agriculture in the period 2019-2021 are presented on the basis of data from the federal statistical observation, as well as monitoring of the digital maturity. The purpose of this article is to identify problematic issues of the introduction of digital technologies in agriculture in Russia, to show the current situation for the introduction and use of digital technologies in agriculture, as well as to give recommendations on measures of state policy of digital transformation of agriculture in the current conditions.

DIGITAL INITIATIVE FOR FARMERS: REBOOTING PUBLIC LIBRARIES

This paper is all about the public library digital initiative for farmers with much emphasis onthe concept of digital library, digital library services, advantages of digital library, disadvantages of digital library, use of digital library, digital technologies in agriculture and rural area, condition for digital transformation, challenges, conclusion and recommendations.It was found that Public Libraries so far done nothing for the farmers who have been potential users of Public Libraries. Library timings do not suit the farmers. So, Public Libraries should take immediate initiatives to reboot its importance among the rural communities. Public Library should plan to start to provide above mentioned services without any delay. In addition to these services some new and innovative technology-based services like, Computer literacy for farmers, Webinars for farmers, SMS alert on new issues like crop diseases and plant protection in local language etc., should be started.

Decoding technological frames: An exploratory study of access to and meaningful engagement with digital technologies in agriculture

Technological advancements undoubtedly impact development in the agricultural industry. However, the digital divide may constrain access to technology in developing countries. Hence, there is a need to explore and understand how different actors make sense of technological advancement for a more meaningful engagement with new technology. To this end, we undertook an exploratory study of an agricultural ecosystem in Brazil comprising a heterogeneous set of actors with varying experiences of digital technologies. Our findings show the essential role of actors' technological frames, and how the type of access to digital technologies influences their development toward digital agriculture. Different actors are found to react to technologies depending on their past experiences and future expectations, leading them to mobilize different framing tactics to respond to the changes that digital agriculture presents. We illuminate how the digital divide not only constrains access to digital technologies but also limits meaningful engagement. We contribute by showing how engaging in framing tactics can advance or preserve actors' technological frames in the digital divide. Our study details implications for both practitioners and policymakers for future consideration.

Enhancing livelihoods in farming communities through super-resolution agromet advisories using advanced digital agriculture technologies

Agricultural production in India is highly vulnerable to climate change. Transformational change to farming systems is required to cope with this changing climate to maintain food security, and ensure farming to remain economically viable. The south Asian rice-fallow systems occupying 22.3 million ha with about 88% in India, mostly (82%) concentrated in the eastern states, are under threat. These systems currently provide economic and food security for about 11 million people, but only achieve 50% of their yield potential. Improvement in productivity is possible through efficient utilization of these fallow lands. The relatively low production occurs because of sub-optimal water and nutrient management strategies. HHaJathrough Historically, the Agro-met advisory service has assisted farmers and disseminated information at a district-level for all the states. In some instances, Agro-met delivers advice at the block level also, but in general, farmers use to follow the district level advice and develop an appropriate management plan like land preparation, sowing, irrigation timing, harvesting etc. The advisories are generated through the District Agrometeorology Unit (DAMU) and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) network, that consider medium-range weather forecast. Unfortunately, these forecasts advisories are general and broad in nature for a given district and do not scale down to the individual field or farm. Farmers must make complex crop management decisions with limited or generalised information. The lack of fine scale information creates uncertainty for farmers, who then develop risk-averse management strategies that reduce productivity. It is unrealistic to expect the Agro-met advisory service to deliver bespoke information to every farmer and to every field simply with the help of Kilometre-scale weather forecast. New technologies must be embraced to address the emerging crises in food security and economic prosperity. Despite these problems, Agro-met has been successful. New digital technologies have emerged though, and these digital technologies should become part of the Agro-met arsenal to deliver valuable information directly to the farmers at the field scale. The Agro-met service is poised to embrace and deliver new interventions through technology cross-sections such as satellite remote sensing, drone-based survey, mobile based data collection systems, IoT based sensors, using insights derived from a hybridisation of crop and AIML (Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning) models. These technological advancements will generate fine-scale static and dynamic Agro-met information on cultivated lands, that can be delivered through Application Programming Interface (APIs) and farmers facing applications. We believe investment in this technology, that delivers information directly to the farmers, can reverse the yield gap, and address the negative impacts of a changing climate.