How digital is agriculture in a subset of countries from South America? Adoption and limitations

L. A. Puntel; É. L. Bolfe; R. J. M. Melchiori; R. Ortega; G. Tiscornia; A. Roel; F. Scaramuzza; S. Best; A. G. Berger; D. S. S. Hansel; D. Palacios Durán; G. R. Balboa

doi:10.1071/CP21759

How to translate text using browser tools

16 September 2022 How digital is agriculture in a subset of countries from South America? Adoption and limitations

L. A. Puntel, É. L. Bolfe, R. J. M. Melchiori, R. Ortega, G. Tiscornia, A. Roel, F. Scaramuzza, S. Best, A. G. Berger, D. S. S. Hansel, D. Palacios Durán, G. R. Balboa

Author Affiliations +

Crop and Pasture Science, 74(6):555-572 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1071/CP21759

Abstract

Digital agriculture (DA) can contribute solutions to meet an increase in healthy, nutritious, and affordable food demands in an efficient and sustainable way. South America (SA) is one of the main grain and protein producers in the world but the status of DA in the region is unknown. A systematic review and case studies from Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile were conducted to address the following objectives: (1) quantify adoption of existing DA technologies, (2) identify limitations for DA adoption; and (3) summarise existing metrics to benchmark DA benefits. Level of DA adoption was led by Brazil and Argentina followed by Uruguay and at a slower rate, Chile. GPS guidance systems, mapping tools, mobile apps and remote sensing were the most adopted DA technologies in SA. The most reported limitations to adoption were technology cost, lack of training, limited number of companies providing services, and unclear benefits from DA. Across the case studies, there was no clear definition of DA. To mitigate some of these limitations, our findings suggest the need for a DA educational curriculum that can fulfill the demand for job skills such as data processing, analysis and interpretation. Regional efforts are needed to standardise these metrics. This will allow stakeholders to design targeted initiatives to promote DA towards sustainability of food production in the region.

Citation Download Citation

L. A. Puntel, É. L. Bolfe, R. J. M. Melchiori, R. Ortega, G. Tiscornia, A. Roel, F. Scaramuzza, S. Best, A. G. Berger, D. S. S. Hansel, D. Palacios Durán, and G. R. Balboa "How digital is agriculture in a subset of countries from South America? Adoption and limitations," Crop and Pasture Science 74(6), 555-572, (16 September 2022). https://doi.org/10.1071/CP21759

Received: 9 November 2021; Accepted: 13 July 2022; Published: 16 September 2022

Show All Keywords

KEYWORDS/PHRASES

PUBLICATION TITLE:

COLLECTION:

PUBLICATION YEARS