Digital Animals

The Future of Digital Technology in Agroecology

Panel discussion at the Future of Digital Technology in Agroecology workshop.
Image: Tom Law

Research has indicated that agroecological approaches to farming – a sustainable approach to agriculture that applies ecological concepts and principles in farming such as organic farming, silvopasture and regenerative agriculture that are underpinned by commitments to food sovereignty and social justice – have been neglected by digital technology developers. In collaboration with the Non-Governmental Organisation A Bigger Conversation, we organised a workshop at the University of Exeter in April 2024 to explore success stories of digital technologies in agroecology and investigate what future technology might be needed in this sector. The aim of this project is to start a public conversation to shape the future of agri-technology so that it serves diverse approaches to agriculture, beyond industrialised farming.