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.