Report on Precision Agriculture and Sustainable Development Goals in Alberta’s Agricultural System

Introduction to Precision Agriculture and Its Alignment with SDGs

Precision agriculture is defined by the International Society of Precision Agriculture as a management strategy that collects, processes, and analyzes temporal-spatial and individual data, integrating it with other information to support management decisions. This approach aims to improve resource use efficiency, productivity, quality, profitability, and sustainability of agricultural production. This aligns closely with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger – by improving agricultural productivity and sustainability.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – through the adoption of advanced technologies.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – by optimizing input use and reducing waste.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – by decreasing environmental impacts.

Technological Advancements and Barriers in Precision Agriculture

There is a growing interest in adopting agricultural technologies such as sensor technology, automated self-driving machinery, and artificial intelligence. These technologies contribute to sustainability by:

1. Reducing environmental impacts through decreased input usage.
2. Lowering production costs.
3. Improving crop yields and product quality.

However, several barriers impede the widespread adoption of precision agriculture technologies, including:

• High initial investment and maintenance costs.
• An aging farming population with limited technology knowledge.
• Complexity of technology, especially software and connectivity challenges.
• Small farm sizes limiting economies of scale.

These challenges highlight the need for knowledge transfer and advisory services to support producers, particularly those scaling up operations, ensuring equitable access to technological benefits and contributing to SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.

Precision Agriculture Initiatives and Strategies in Alberta

Alberta has demonstrated increasing demand for precision agriculture, supported by several initiatives that promote sustainable development:

• Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN): Established in 2019 with key Alberta partners including Olds College and Lakeland College, focusing on innovation and education.
• Agri-food Investment and Growth Strategy (2020): Launched by the Government of Alberta to enhance production of high-quality agri-food products, emphasizing investment in agricultural technology to foster sustainable stewardship, diversification, economic growth, and product quality.
• Canadian Agricultural Partnership Farm Technology Program (2021): Provides financial incentives to primary producers for adopting innovative technologies that minimize waste, optimize efficiency, and promote best management practices, supporting SDG 9 and SDG 12.

Challenges and Opportunities in Alberta’s Digital Agricultural Economy

As Alberta transitions into a digital economy, the demand for robotics, automation, and digital software is increasing. This shift may introduce new regulatory requirements related to audits, food safety, and sustainable business practices, which could pose challenges for producers scaling up their operations. Key considerations include:

• Need for acquiring new knowledge and expertise to remain competitive (SDG 4).
• Additional financial capital requirements for technology adoption, potentially disadvantaging smaller producers.
• Opportunities for medium and large-scale operations to enhance efficiency and reduce reliance on manual labor (SDG 8).

Conclusion

Precision agriculture in Alberta presents significant opportunities to advance multiple Sustainable Development Goals by enhancing productivity, sustainability, and innovation in the agricultural sector. Addressing barriers such as high costs, knowledge gaps, and technological complexity is critical to ensuring inclusive growth and equitable benefits across farm sizes. Continued investment, education, and supportive policies are essential to facilitate this transition and promote sustainable agricultural development in line with global SDG commitments.

References

1. Bournaris, T., et al. (2022). Current skills of students and their expected future training needs on precision agriculture. Agronomy, 12(2), 269.
2. Kutter, T., et al. (2011). The role of communication and cooperation in the adoption of precision farming. Precision Agriculture, 12, 2-17.
3. Paustian, M., & Theuvsen, L. (2017). Adoption of precision agriculture technologies by German crop farmers. Precision Agriculture, 18, 701-716.
4. Yatribi, T. (2020). Factors affecting precision agriculture adoption: A systematic literature review. Economics-Innovative and Economics Research Journal, 8(2), 103-121.
5. Alexandridis, T. K., et al. (2017). An Integrated Approach to Promote Precision Farming in Northern Greece. Comprehensive Geographic Information Systems, 315-352.
6. Barnes, A. P., et al. (2019). Exploring the adoption of precision agricultural technologies: A cross regional study of EU farmers. Land Use Policy, 80, 163-174.
7. Alberta Innovates. (2020). Transforming farming through innovation. https://albertainnovates.ca/news/transforming-farming-through-innovation/
8. Government of Alberta. (2023). Canadian agriculture partnership farm technology program. https://www.alberta.ca/canadian-agricultural-partnership-farm-technology-program

Author: Aleksandra Tymczak
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0774-6650

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • The article discusses precision agriculture aimed at improving agricultural productivity, efficiency, and sustainability, which directly relates to ending hunger and promoting sustainable agriculture.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Investment in agricultural technology and growth in agri-food production contribute to economic growth and sustainable employment opportunities.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • The adoption of advanced technologies such as sensors, automation, AI, and digital software in agriculture supports innovation and infrastructure development.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Precision agriculture’s focus on reducing input usage and minimizing agricultural waste aligns with sustainable consumption and production patterns.
5. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Reducing environmental impacts through efficient resource use contributes to climate change mitigation.

2. Specific Targets Identified Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers through technology adoption and sustainable practices.
   • Target 2.4: Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading, and innovation.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade technological capabilities of industrial sectors, including agriculture.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.2: Achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
5. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Indicators Related to SDG 2
   • Increase in agricultural productivity and yields (implied through yield improvement and efficiency gains).
   • Adoption rates of precision agriculture technologies among farmers.
2. Indicators Related to SDG 8
   • Growth in agri-food sector investment and exports (referenced in Alberta’s Agri-food Investment and Growth Strategy).
   • Employment generated by adoption of agricultural technologies.
3. Indicators Related to SDG 9
   • Number and scale of technological innovations adopted in agriculture (e.g., sensor technology, AI, automation).
   • Financial support and programs facilitating technology adoption (e.g., Canadian Agricultural Partnership Farm Technology program).
4. Indicators Related to SDG 12
   • Reduction in agricultural input usage (fertilizers, pesticides) and waste.
   • Implementation of best management practices in farm security and sustainability.
5. Indicators Related to SDG 13
   • Reduction in environmental impacts related to agriculture (implied through sustainable stewardship and reduced input usage).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: openaccessgovernment.org