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Agriculture 4.0: is sub-Saharan Africa ready?

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  • Jellason, Nugun P.
  • Robinson, Elizabeth J. Z.
  • Ogbaga, Chukwuma C.

Abstract

A fourth agricultural revolution, termed agriculture 4.0, is gradually gaining ground around the globe. It encompasses the application of smart technologies such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, the internet of things (IoT), big data, and robotics to improve agriculture and the sustainability of food production. To date, narratives around agriculture 4.0 associated technologies have generally focused on their application in the context of higher-income countries (HICs). In contrast, in this perspective, we critically assess the place of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in this new technology trajectory, a region that has received less attention with respect to the application of such technologies. We examine the continent’s readiness based on a number of dimensions such as scale, finance, technology leapfrogging, institutions and governance, education and skills. We critically reviewed the challenges, opportunities, and prospects of adopting agriculture 4.0 technologies in SSA, particularly with regards to how smallholder farmers in the region can be involved through a robust strategy. We find that whilst potential exist for agriculture 4.0 adoption in SSA, there are gaps in knowledge, skills, finance, and infrastructure to ensure successful adoption.

Suggested Citation

  • Jellason, Nugun P. & Robinson, Elizabeth J. Z. & Ogbaga, Chukwuma C., 2021. "Agriculture 4.0: is sub-Saharan Africa ready?," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 113550, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:113550
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    2. da Silveira, Franco & da Silva, Sabrina Letícia Couto & Machado, Filipe Molinar & Barbedo, Jayme Garcia Arnal & Amaral, Fernando Gonçalves, 2023. "Farmers' perception of the barriers that hinder the implementation of agriculture 4.0," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 208(C).
    3. Wiranarongkorn, K. & Im-orb, K. & Patcharavorachot, Y. & Maréchal, F. & Arpornwichanop, A., 2023. "Comparative techno-economic and energy analyses of integrated biorefinery processes of furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural from biomass residue," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    4. Liu, Suxia & Deichmann, Majken & Moro, Mariú A. & Andersen, Lars S. & Li, Fulin & Dalgaard, Tommy & McKnight, Ursula S., 2022. "Targeting sustainable greenhouse agriculture policies in China and Denmark: A comparative study," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    agriculture 4.0; internet of things (IoT); precision agriculture; robotics; smallholders; sub-Saharan Africa (SSA); APC funding;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R14 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Land Use Patterns
    • J01 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - Labor Economics: General

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