Digital Agriculture:A trend driving a suite of automated and digital technologies for farmers. The main components are (1) automated farm machinery (i.e. a self-driving tractor) that collect data while working and (2) apps which process that data and give directions to the automated machines. These technologies are closely intertwined with biotechnology (like “precision” seeds), digitalization in food retail (i.e. to promote ethical consumerism by tracking farming practices of foods), and carbon market schemes for farmers that use digital ag to recommend and verify supposed carbon-sequestering practices.
Precision Agriculture:
A trend that largely overlaps with digital agriculture. It more specifically connotes the use of data and automation to fine tune management decisions at small scales. For example, a “smart” tractor may assess nitrogen levels at each square foot, and then apply varying levels of nitrogen fertilizer accordingly.
Technological Sovereignty:The self-determination of technology users, in this case usually food-producing communities, to define, create, share, modify, innovate and govern the technology used in our food system.
False Solutions:
Greenwashed schemes, such as carbon markets and geongineering, that are promoted by industries that contribute to climate change. These projects are most often profitable market- or tech-based quick-fixes that are framed as climate solutions to create a positive image and profit for polluting industries, but do not create real or lasting change to the systems causing climate change.
Carbon Markets
A false climate solution where a polluter excuses their own carbon emissions by buying “credits” that supposedly represent extra carbon that has been sequestered elsewhere, though in reality 90% of carbon credits are meaningless.