Researchers from King Abdulaziz University, Aix-Marseille University and Flinders University have performed complex IT and mathematical modelling to assess the vulnerabilities that face modern tools used in agriculture.
The world is on track to reach a population of over 10 billion people by the turn of the next century so having the tools to produce the appropriate amount of food for these people is inherently causing farmers and food processors to turn to automated and connection-oriented concepts.
Various automated systems and smart sensors that monitor crops, moisture and disease are useful for producing food in an automated way. These internet-connected and low-power devices have made it possible to reduce the reliance on manual labour and shifted certain functions to the digital world. The result is the possibility of producing more food with less effort.
However, if these systems are left undefended against cyber attacks, they may be vulnerable to hackers shutting them down and halting the important production of food. Organisations in other sectors such as corporate and defence protect against these attacks but food companies may need to catch up, the researchers warn. Food producers may be at risk of being held for ransom, having sensitive and important data stolen or seeing whole farming operations shut down by hackers.
Why sustainability is the new digital
A range of precautions and protections is suggested by the researchers, such as threat analysis, adequate training and adoption of privacy-preservation schemes. Generally, a full consideration of the security implications of using digital technologies not entirely designed for food production is recommended.
igital agriculture is the use of new and advanced technologies, integrated into one system, to enable farmers and other stakeholders within the agriculture value chain to improve food production.
Most of today’s farmers make decisions such as how much fertiliser to apply based on a combination of rough measurements, experience and recommendations. Once a course of action is decided, it is implemented but the results are normally not seen until harvest time.
In contrast, a digital agriculture system gathers data more frequently and accurately, often combined with external sources (such as weather information). The resulting combined data is analysed and interpreted so the farmer can make more informed and appropriate decisions. These decisions can then be quickly implemented with greater accuracy through robotics and advanced machinery, and farmers can get real-time feedback on the impact their actions.
The technology
Technologies used include sensors, communication networks, Unmanned Aviation Systems (UAS), Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics and other advanced machinery and often draws on the principles of the Internet of Things. Each one of these brings something valuable to farming from data collection, through to management and processing, as well as guidance and direction. This integrated system offers new insights that enhance the ability to make decisions and subsequently implement them.
The potential
Digital agriculture has the potential to make agriculture more productive, more consistent and to use time and resources more efficiently. This brings critical advantages for farmers and wider social benefits around the world. It also enables organisations to share information across traditional industry boundaries to open up new, disruptive opportunities.
The barriers
Digital agriculture has the potential to transform the way we produce the world’s food but the approach is still very new, costs are high and the details of the long term benefits are rarely available. That means to secure its widespread adoption will require collaboration and consensus across the value chain on how to overcome these challenges.
