Understanding the social implications of digital agricultural technologies

Abstract

The current digital agricultural revolution presents significant possibilities, promising transformative changes in agri-food systems. While advocates foresee enhanced efficiency, profitability, and sustainability, social movements and social critical scholars have concerns about its potential to perpetuate existing inequalities in the food system. The current conversation on the social implications of digital technologies often lacks a balanced perspective, either too broad and generic in scope or too narrowly focused on specific technologies. This imbalanced approach makes it difficult to inform meaningful policy debates or guide stakeholders who want to harness digital technologies to create more equitable and inclusive food systems. This paper contributes theory-based applied research to this discussion. We offer applied scholars and practitioners a Socio-Ethical Awareness Framework for Digital Agriculture, which recognizes the non-neutrality of technology, the central role of power, and the importance of data governance. The framework advocates for analyzing digital technologies based on the services they provide to farmers, while prompting questions about access, technology governance, and power distribution. Focusing on these aspects of digital technology can help ensure that these innovations support, rather than marginalize, small and limited-resource farmers.