Policy and Technological Solutions for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development

Abstract

This paper discusses how policy and technology can be integrated as some of the driving forces towards attaining sustainable agriculture and rural development. It looks at the compatibility between the governance systems, regulations, incentives and subsidies and technological advances such as precision farming, IoT applications, and digital platforms to contribute towards sustainable farming. The study concludes that policy support and technology adoption are reinforce to each other; well-developed policies allow adopting the latest technologies, which in turn facilitates the development of productivity and sustainability. Moreover, the paper outlines some of the main obstacles, including infrastructural gaps, digital gaps, policy-technology gaps that prevent the imminent usage of these solutions, especially in the developing world. The results emphasize the need to involve smallholder farmers in the policymaking process, whereby they are part of the process, and they have access to the required technologies. The solution to these challenges lies in public-private partnership and financial support systems. Finally, in this study, there is a possibility of policy-technology combinations to deal with food security, economic development, and environmental sustainability, which will lead to the realization of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). This paper offers practical information to policy makers, technology developers and agricultural players who will seek to bring about sustainable change in the agricultural sector by creating synergies across sectors and regions.