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The global divide in data-driven farming

Author

Listed:
  • Zia Mehrabi

    (University of British Columbia
    University of British Columbia
    University of British Columbia)

  • Mollie J. McDowell

    (University of British Columbia)

  • Vincent Ricciardi

    (University of British Columbia
    University of British Columbia)

  • Christian Levers

    (University of British Columbia
    University of British Columbia
    Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ)

  • Juan Diego Martinez

    (University of British Columbia
    University of British Columbia)

  • Natascha Mehrabi
  • Hannah Wittman

    (University of British Columbia
    University of British Columbia)

  • Navin Ramankutty

    (University of British Columbia
    University of British Columbia)

  • Andy Jarvis

    (International Center for Tropical Agriculture)

Abstract

Big data and mobile technology are widely claimed to be global disruptive forces in agriculture that benefit small-scale farmers. Yet the access of small-scale farmers to this technology is poorly understood. We show that only 24–37% of farms of 200 ha in size. Furthermore, croplands with severe yield gaps, climate-stressed locations and food-insecure populations have poor service coverage. Across many countries in Africa, less than ~40% of farming households have Internet access, and the cost of data remains prohibitive. We recommend a digital inclusion agenda whereby governments, the development community and the private sector focus their efforts to improve access so that data-driven agriculture is available to all farmers globally.

Suggested Citation

  • Zia Mehrabi & Mollie J. McDowell & Vincent Ricciardi & Christian Levers & Juan Diego Martinez & Natascha Mehrabi & Hannah Wittman & Navin Ramankutty & Andy Jarvis, 2021. "The global divide in data-driven farming," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 4(2), pages 154-160, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:4:y:2021:i:2:d:10.1038_s41893-020-00631-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-020-00631-0
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    Cited by:

    1. Caldarola, Bernardo & Grazzi, Marco & Occelli, Martina & Sanfilippo, Marco, 2023. "Mobile internet, skills and structural transformation in Rwanda," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(10).
    2. Abate, Gashaw T. & Abay, Kibrom A. & Chamberlin, Jordan & Kassim, Yumna & Spielman, David J. & Paul Jr Tabe-Ojong, Martin, 2023. "Digital tools and agricultural market transformation in Africa: Why are they not at scale yet, and what will it take to get there?," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    3. Steinke, Jonathan & Ortiz-Crespo, Berta & van Etten, Jacob & Müller, Anna, 2022. "Participatory design of digital innovation in agricultural research-for-development: insights from practice," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).
    4. David Christian Rose & Anna Barkemeyer & Auvikki Boon & Catherine Price & Dannielle Roche, 2023. "The old, the new, or the old made new? Everyday counter-narratives of the so-called fourth agricultural revolution," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 40(2), pages 423-439, June.
    5. Neeraj Singh & Kushankur Dey, 2023. "A typology of agricultural market information systems and its dimensions: Case studies of digital platforms," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 33(1), pages 1-22, December.
    6. Nadine Bachmann & Shailesh Tripathi & Manuel Brunner & Herbert Jodlbauer, 2022. "The Contribution of Data-Driven Technologies in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-33, February.

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