Small-Scale Farming: A Review of Challenges and Potential Opportunities Offered by Technological Advancements

Abstract

Smallholder farmers play an important role in ensuring world food security. In addition to food security, small-scale farming also provides numerous other direct and indirect environmental, social, cultural, and economic benefits by improving crop diversification, job security, and self-sufficiency. However, small-scale agriculture faces several challenges which are further exacerbated by climate change, population increase, water scarcity, and soil degradation. Agriculture has seen a lot of technological advancements in the last few decades. However, access to these advancements has not always been economically viable for small or medium farm operations. This article aimed to review the major barriers to small-scale farming and to review the status and potential opportunities offered by advanced technologies that can benefit small-scale holders. Based on the review, we found that economics, marketing, climate change, lack of awareness, educational resources, infrastructure, information, and technology are the major challenges to small-scale farming. Technologies such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the IoT (internet of things), irrigation automation, and the use of smartphones are already becoming mainstream in small-scale farming and other technologies like robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), yield monitoring, and food traceability have potential opportunities to solve the challenges that hamper the success of small-scale growers.

Novel Technical Parameters-Based Classification of Harvesters Using Principal Component Analysis and Q-Type Cluster Model

“…The intermediate weight and power facilitate better performance in varied landscapes, from mountainous regions to flat plateaus. This versatility is akin to the findings by Liao et al [23] and Dhillon and Moncur [32], where the adaptability of agricultural machinery is emphasized through spatial analysis techniques.…”

Analysis of dynamic relationship between agricultural products circulation service industry and circulation efficiency in less developed regions: based on data from Western China

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Enhancing Year-Round Profitability for Small-Scale Ranchers: An Economic Analysis of Integrated Cattle and Mushroom Production System

“…Farm profitability remains the foremost objective for many small-scale farmers [1][2][3]. Nonetheless, the economic landscape for many small-scale ranchers is challenging, characterized by fluctuating market prices, land use constraints, climate uncertainties, and escalating management and operational costs [4,5]. Unfortunately, a significant number of farmers have been forced to exit the profession due to minimal or negative profit margins [1,3].…”