The global divide in data-driven farming

Zia Mehrabi (), Mollie J. McDowell, Vincent Ricciardi, Christian Levers, Juan Diego Martinez, Natascha Mehrabi, Hannah Wittman, Navin Ramankutty and Andy Jarvis
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Zia Mehrabi: University of British Columbia
Mollie J. McDowell: University of British Columbia
Vincent Ricciardi: University of British Columbia
Christian Levers: University of British Columbia
Juan Diego Martinez: University of British Columbia
Hannah Wittman: University of British Columbia
Navin Ramankutty: University of British Columbia
Andy Jarvis: International Center for Tropical Agriculture

Nature Sustainability, 2021, vol. 4, issue 2, 154-160

Abstract: Abstract Big data and mobile technology are widely claimed to be global disruptive forces in agriculture that benefit small-scale farmers. Yet the access of small-scale farmers to this technology is poorly understood. We show that only 24–37% of farms of 200 ha in size. Furthermore, croplands with severe yield gaps, climate-stressed locations and food-insecure populations have poor service coverage. Across many countries in Africa, less than ~40% of farming households have Internet access, and the cost of data remains prohibitive. We recommend a digital inclusion agenda whereby governments, the development community and the private sector focus their efforts to improve access so that data-driven agriculture is available to all farmers globally.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41893-020-00631-0

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