Digital agriculture through extension advisory services- is it gender-responsive? a review

Abstract

Despite the global recognition of digital agriculture discourse entering into social sciences like Agricultural Extension and even with close links between Extension Advisory Services, the implications of these interlinkages for women farmers are under-explored. This paper seeks to fill this gap. Agritech 5.0 technologies, drones, unmanned vehicles, and internet of things applications overcome unsustainable agriculture practices through precision. Sustainable agriculture requires policy, technology and people. Presently Extension Advisory Services are gender unresponsive. Unprepared farmers, especially women, may struggle to adapt to digital agriculture; therefore, a gender-responsive approach is a must for such an innovation. This entails genderizing extension tools, updating professional competence through retraining of women as technology teachers, tapping unutilised expert knowledge, including women in-app designs etc. Thus, a paradigm shift is required in agricultural planning, policy, and management. In addition, multistakeholder partnership and collaboration are necessary between the government and private sector. Besides, responsible research and innovation (RRI) approach is required to address ethical concerns in digital agriculture.