Project
Fair transitioning towards digital sustainability in the agri-sector in Europe
High tech developments in the agricultural sector in Europe provide new opportunities of effectiveness in use of water, pesticides and fertilizers, as well as increased profitability, among others. However, from a societal perspective the negative consequences are not yet fully understood. This includes digital divide, exclusion and adverse natural ecosystem impacts. XGain is providing insights into the challenging arena to identify fair transitioning towards digital sustainability for Europe.
Societies around the world are increasingly affected by the vast growth of information and new and rapid developments in technology, networks and social media. The Digital Age is characterized by enhanced opportunities for monitoring and control, for precision and efficiency, for maximizing economic development and for minimizing impacts on the environment by precision and reduction in travels, and hence reduced climate impacts. By means of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics to the Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G, the latest technologies can offer invaluable support for farmers and agribusinesses.
However, urgent issues of concern from a social science perspective are the risks of digital divide, inequalities and adverse impacts natural ecosystems. Inequalities in the access to, and use of, the digital technologies have long been a concern among researchers and policymakers, and so have the real long term environmental impacts.
Enhancing competitiveness, resilience and sustainability
XGain focuses on high tech and connectivity, and intends to identify solutions for
equipping rural communities with increased access to services, opportunities
and adequate innovation ecosystems. This is a challenging given the diversity
of needs across different locations.
Wageningen Economic Research contributes to: 1) exploring digital divide in the European context, analyses of fair transitions by means of social innovation are applied to; confirm urgency factors of inclusion, analyse ability for people to take part and create opportunities by adoption, and deepen insights about the readiness of institutional settings, and 2) assessing the socio-economic and environmental implications of emerging edge technologies, such as drones and last-mile connectivity, focusing on their use in rural communities and agriculture, by evaluating how these technologies can enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and support improved decision-making processes for farmers, while also carefully
considering the associated socio-economic and environmental impacts.