Research paper
Farming Reimagined: A case study of autonomous farm equipment and creating an innovation opportunity space for broadacre smart farming

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.njas.2019.100307Get rights and content
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Highlights

  • Experiential ag knowledge, skills in coding and robotics generate problem-solving innovations.

  • Autonomous agriculture equipment innovations are advancing ahead of Canadian policy.

  • Evidence, evaluation mechanisms of environmental, social benefits/risks are lacking.

  • Licensing enables quick R&D and commercialization of smart farming-ready equipment.

Abstract

As agriculture meets digital technologies, a new frontier of innovation is emerging and creating multiple pathways to a smart farming future. This paper presents a case study of a smart farming innovation originating from a small-to-medium sized enterprise (SME) that designs and manufactures machinery used in broadacre, conservation tillage farming. The innovation, known as DOT™, is an entrepreneur’s response to problems in the agriculture industry. Applying the innovation opportunity space (IOS) conceptual framework, this study identified the process of innovation was based on synthesis of tacit knowledge (experience-based knowledge of farming and agribusiness) and codified knowledge (drawing on computer programming). The innovation offers a solution for farming problems, and other firms are incorporating the autonomous functionality into their short-line manufacturing operations through licensing agreements, and early farmer adoption is positive. However, this smart farming IOS is presently an Unstable IOS and there remain some gaps: public policy for safe deployment of autonomous agriculture vehicles is lagging behind the invention and commercialization; the new business models for manufacture and commercialization of high-tech equipment are just emerging, and data ownership and control remain unresolved; and evidence of the value of smart farming technologies to farmers and the larger social system and biosphere remains scant.

Keywords

Innovation opportunity space
Autonomous
Smart farming
SME
Agriculture equipment
Broadacre
Labour
Data
Innovation policy

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