In the heart of the Midwest, Jenny Melo-Velasco, a researcher from the University of Missouri and Huella Delta Impacto Colectivo, is challenging the way we think about the digital revolution in agriculture. Her latest work, published in the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, delves into the social implications of digital agricultural technologies, offering a fresh perspective that could reshape the future of farming and the energy sector.
Imagine a world where every farmer, regardless of their size or resources, has equal access to the digital tools that promise to revolutionize agriculture. This is the vision that Melo-Velasco is working towards. Her research, titled “Understanding the social implications of digital agricultural technologies,” argues that while digital technologies offer immense potential, they also risk exacerbating existing inequalities if not properly managed.
Melo-Velasco’s work is a call to action for policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders in the agri-food system. She introduces a Socio-Ethical Awareness Framework for Digital Agriculture, a tool designed to help analyze digital technologies based on the services they provide to farmers. “We need to move beyond just looking at the technological aspects,” Melo-Velasco explains. “We need to consider who has access to these technologies, how they are governed, and how power is distributed.”
The framework emphasizes the non-neutrality of technology, acknowledging that digital tools are not inherently good or bad, but their impact depends on how they are used and by whom. It also highlights the central role of power and the importance of data governance, urging stakeholders to ask tough questions about access, technology governance, and power distribution.
So, what does this mean for the energy sector? As agriculture becomes increasingly digital, the energy demands of farming are also evolving. Smart sensors, autonomous vehicles, and data-driven decision-making tools all require energy. By ensuring that digital technologies are accessible and beneficial to all farmers, we can drive demand for clean, reliable energy solutions in rural areas. Moreover, by promoting equitable access to digital tools, we can help small and limited-resource farmers increase their productivity and profitability, creating new markets and opportunities for the energy sector.
Melo-Velasco’s research is a timely reminder that technology is not a panacea. It is a tool, and like any tool, its impact depends on how it is used. By adopting a socio-ethical approach to digital agriculture, we can harness the power of technology to create a more equitable, sustainable, and inclusive food system. And in doing so, we can also drive demand for clean energy solutions, shaping a brighter future for both the agriculture and energy sectors. The Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, translated to English, is the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development.
As we stand on the brink of a digital agricultural revolution, it is crucial that we pause and consider the social implications of the technologies we are developing and deploying. Melo-Velasco’s work offers a valuable framework for doing just that, prompting us to ask the right questions and make informed decisions that benefit not just the tech-savvy and well-resourced, but all farmers.