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The Role of Precision Agriculture Technologies in Enhancing Sustainable Agriculture

Author

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  • Mary Sanyaolu

    (Faculty of Economics, Department of Economics and Economic Policy in Agribusiness, Poznan University of Life Sciences, 60-637 Poznan, Poland)

  • Arkadiusz Sadowski

    (Faculty of Economics, Department of Economics and Economic Policy in Agribusiness, Poznan University of Life Sciences, 60-637 Poznan, Poland)

Abstract

Despite the known benefits of precision agriculture, the adoption is challenging due to the cost of investment and the farm sizes. Therefore, profitability is an important aspect to consider. This study aimed to evaluate the net returns, profitability, and investment efficiencies of PA by different economic farm sizes. The study was based on data retrieved from the Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) and Eurostat (year 2021). The study examined four countries (Poland, Germany, France, and Romania) under field crop farming using an investment cost of EUR 35,941–EUR 71,883 and a 20% and 15% reduction in the cost of crop protection and fertilizer usage, respectively, without compromising productivity. There is a positive relationship between the adoption of PA and farm returns for larger-scale farms. The result of the profitability and analysis of investment efficiency using Net Present Value (NPV) showed a positive value for economic farm sizes of EUR 100,000 and above. Hence, it is not economically advisable that all farmers use PA technologies with the hope that they will be profitable but with public support (subsidies) more farms will be able to use PA and be profitable. This is also an opportunity to meet the goals of the European Union Green Deal of minimizing emissions that cause climate change.

Suggested Citation

  • Mary Sanyaolu & Arkadiusz Sadowski, 2024. "The Role of Precision Agriculture Technologies in Enhancing Sustainable Agriculture," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-17, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:15:p:6668-:d:1449684
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    4. George Chirita & Riana Iren Radu & Mioara Chirita, 2025. "Multimodal Deep Learning – IoT Systems for Tomato Crops: A Systematic Review," Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development Studies, "Dunarea de Jos" University of Galati, Doctoral Field Engineering and Management in Agriculture and Rural Development, issue 4, pages 189-201.
    5. Zhao, Jingjing & Gao, Yuan & Deng, Yao & Zhao, Huifeng, 2025. "Does agricultural green transformation enhance the quality of export products? A perspective of market-oriented environmental regulation," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 85(PE).
    6. Zhijie Ren & Hui Zhang & Hongjie Li & Qinghui Wu & Yufang Huang & Youliang Ye & Yanan Zhao, 2025. "Improving Wheat Yield, Fertilizer Use Efficiency, and Economic Benefits Through Farmer-Participation Nutrient Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-11, April.
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    8. Luciana Di Gregorio & Lorenzo Nolfi & Arianna Latini & Nikolaos Nikoloudakis & Nils Bunnefeld & Maurizio Notarfonso & Roberta Bernini & Ioannis Manikas & Annamaria Bevivino, 2024. "Getting (ECO)Ready: Does EU Legislation Integrate Up-to-Date Scientific Data for Food Security and Biodiversity Preservation Under Climate Change?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-21, December.
    9. Soum, Abderrahmane & Ayache, Abbassia, . "Adopting precision agriculture in Algeria: insights and challenges from the perspective of Algerian agricultural engineers," Western Balkan Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development (WBJAERD), Institute of Agricultural Economics, vol. 7(1).

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