Someone says the word farm, and serene imagery of farmers working on fields with kids running around farm animals pops up. Smart farms will make you think otherwise.
With technological advancements, farming is smarter. It translates into an intelligent farmer who invests in digitalization instead of spending on his milking apron.
The Canadian government has extended its investments in agricultural technologies i.e. digital tools like modern tractors, GPS devices, drones, etc. to increase the yield with the reduction of pesticides. Farmers can now boost profits via GPS mapping.
However, research shows that modern farming tools are profitable, however, the digital revolution might raise concerns in terms of the growing costs of farming lands. There is no explanation to who other than farmers have access to their digital data. Will it only be the farm owners benefitting from it or corporate control will be involved too?
The managers will have more control in comparison to the ground-level workers who will be under constant surveillance. Think of greenhouse farms where workers are subjected to harsh physical and social conditions while the owners/managers oversee remotely.
Increased productivity means an increased reliance on the exploitation of workers who are already given no rights. Digitalization will gradually suffocate the rights of lower-ground workers.
There needs to be a balanced system of digitalization and traditional farming practices to not eliminate job opportunities for marginalized workers.