Using technology to mitigate climate change and reduce production cost

It’s hard to disagree with the claim that technology is among the solutions and tools that can help mitigate climate change and protect the environment, reduce production costs and make farming easier. Anyone who has seen the benefits of technology at first hand, in the field, will confirm this. However, there are several key factors that will determine whether the innovative technologies are adopted by the majority of farmers – so that everyone can benefit from the digital transition. The digital transformation process must be based on education and skill acquisition, development of the digital ecosystem, and investment in infrastructure and connectivity networks.

Farmers and rural communities will need to have the necessary skills and knowledge to make effective use of and benefit from digital tools and services. Building these skills requires a combination of education, training, targeted consultancy services and technical support. The target group for skills-development programmes goes beyond farmers and the population of rural areas; it also includes educators, consultants and local managers who want to improve their knowledge and keep abreast of technological developments.

Technological tools such as telemetry stations can also help on farms, supplementing skills-development programmes. Tools like this can help farmers and policymakers adapt their practices and decision-making processes – in both the short and long term – to the changing climate. Climate-smart technologies can be used to shape policies and decisions on cultivation methods and appropriate crops, based on micro-climate and broader climate trends. These technologies are designed to help farmers manage the risks arising from constantly shifting environmental conditions. The data exported from technologies like telemetry stations are collected to create climate maps. Climate maps will show how climate has been changing over time and will be used as a tool for implementing practices – via policy-making – that will help the agricultural sector adapt to climate change.