Current status of and future opportunities for digital agriculture in Australia

Hansen, BD; Leonard, E; Mitchell, MC; Easton, J; Shariati, N; Mortlock, MY; Schaefer, M; Lamb, DW

Current status of and future opportunities for digital agriculture in Australia

Hansen, BD Leonard, E Mitchell, MC Easton, J Shariati, N Mortlock, MY Schaefer, M Lamb, DW

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Publisher:: CSIRO Publishing
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Crop and Pasture Science, 2023, 74, (6), pp. 524-537
Issue Date:: 2023

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Hansen, BD
dc.contributor.author	Leonard, E
dc.contributor.author	Mitchell, MC
dc.contributor.author	Easton, J
dc.contributor.author	Shariati, N
dc.contributor.author	Mortlock, MY
dc.contributor.author	Schaefer, M
dc.contributor.author	Lamb, DW
dc.contributor.editor	Cook, S
dc.date.accessioned	2024-03-12T00:12:35Z
dc.date.available	2022-07-13
dc.date.available	2024-03-12T00:12:35Z
dc.date.issued	2023
dc.identifier.citation	Crop and Pasture Science, 2023, 74, (6), pp. 524-537
dc.identifier.issn	1836-0947
dc.identifier.issn	1836-5795
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/176510
dc.description.abstract	In Australia, digital agriculture is considered immature and its adoption ad hoc, despite a relatively advanced technology innovation sector. In this review, we focus on the technical, governance and social factors of digital adoption that have created a disconnect between technology development and the end user community (farmers and their advisors). Using examples that reflect both successes and barriers in Australian agriculture, we first explore the current enabling technologies and processes, and then we highlight some of the key socio-technical factors that explain why digital agriculture is immature and ad hoc. Pronounced issues include fragmentation of the innovation system (and digital tools), and a lack of enabling legislation and policy to support technology deployment. To overcome such issues and increase adoption, clear value propositions for change are necessary. These value propositions are influenced by the perceptions and aspirations of individuals, the delivery of digitally-enabled processes and the supporting legislative, policy and educational structures, better use/conversion of data generated through technology applications to knowledge for supporting decision making, and the suitability of the technology. Agronomists and early adopter farmers will play a significant role in closing the technology-end user gap, and will need support and training from technology service providers, government bodies and peer-networks. Ultimately, practice change will only be achieved through mutual understanding, ownership and trust. This will occur when farmers and their advisors are an integral part of the entire digital innovation system.
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	CSIRO Publishing
dc.relation.ispartof	Crop and Pasture Science
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1071/CP21594
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	05 Environmental Sciences, 07 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
dc.subject.classification	Agronomy & Agriculture
dc.subject.classification	30 Agricultural, veterinary and food sciences
dc.subject.classification	41 Environmental sciences
dc.title	Current status of and future opportunities for digital agriculture in Australia
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	74
utslib.for	05 Environmental Sciences
utslib.for	07 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	false
dc.date.updated	2024-03-12T00:12:34Z
pubs.issue	6
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	74
utslib.citation.issue	6

Abstract:

In Australia, digital agriculture is considered immature and its adoption ad hoc, despite a relatively advanced technology innovation sector. In this review, we focus on the technical, governance and social factors of digital adoption that have created a disconnect between technology development and the end user community (farmers and their advisors). Using examples that reflect both successes and barriers in Australian agriculture, we first explore the current enabling technologies and processes, and then we highlight some of the key socio-technical factors that explain why digital agriculture is immature and ad hoc. Pronounced issues include fragmentation of the innovation system (and digital tools), and a lack of enabling legislation and policy to support technology deployment. To overcome such issues and increase adoption, clear value propositions for change are necessary. These value propositions are influenced by the perceptions and aspirations of individuals, the delivery of digitally-enabled processes and the supporting legislative, policy and educational structures, better use/conversion of data generated through technology applications to knowledge for supporting decision making, and the suitability of the technology. Agronomists and early adopter farmers will play a significant role in closing the technology-end user gap, and will need support and training from technology service providers, government bodies and peer-networks. Ultimately, practice change will only be achieved through mutual understanding, ownership and trust. This will occur when farmers and their advisors are an integral part of the entire digital innovation system.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/176510