Precision and Digital Agriculture: Adoption of Technologies and Perception of Brazilian Farmers

TLDR

Growing population pressures demand sustainable use of natural resources, and since the 1990s precision agriculture has delivered productivity gains, while increasing connectivity has ushered in Agriculture 4.0 or Digital Agriculture. This study surveys 504 Brazilian farmers to assess current and future use of digital technologies, perceived benefits, and challenges. A LimeSurvey questionnaire was distributed from 17 April to 2 June 2020, and the responses were statistically analyzed. Eighty‑four percent of respondents use at least one digital technology, citing productivity gains as the main benefit, while acquisition costs are the chief challenge, and 95 % wish to learn more.

Abstract

The rapid population growth has driven the demand for more food, fiber, energy, and water, which is associated to an increase in the need to use natural resources in a more sustainable way. The use of precision agriculture machinery and equipment since the 1990s has provided important productive gains and maximized the use of agricultural inputs. The growing connectivity in the rural environment, in addition to its greater integration with data from sensor systems, remote sensors, equipment, and smartphones have paved the way for new concepts from the so-called Agriculture 4.0 or Digital Agriculture. This article presents the results of a survey carried out with 504 Brazilian farmers about the digital technologies in use, as well as current and future applications, perceived benefits, and challenges. The questionnaire was prepared, organized, and made available to the public through the online platform LimeSurvey and was available from 17 April to 2 June 2020. The primary data obtained for each question previously defined were consolidated and analyzed statistically. The results indicate that 84% of the interviewed farmers use at least one digital technology in their production system that differs according to technological complexity level. The main perceived benefit refers to the perception of increased productivity and the main challenges are the acquisition costs of machines, equipment, software, and connectivity. It is also noteworthy that 95% of farmers would like to learn more about new technologies to strengthen the agricultural development in their properties.