Technological Revolutions in Agriculture: Implications for the reshaping of rural economy and society

Abstract

We identify many current and
impending technologies that are likely to impact
dramatically on most aspects of rural economy,
society and environment, even in the short term. As
a result, two of society’s major looming problems
are (a) how best to accelerate the uptake of
beneficial technologies while (b) helping individuals,
communities or places damaged by the likely course
of events – for example by updating people’s skill
sets and revising their ambitions and preferences.
The increasing problem for governments,
communities and businesses alike is that we have
limited knowledge of future economic and social
trajectories driven by such technologies. Thus,
traditional blue-print planning will be increasingly
redundant and effective paths to the future will
require intensive and inclusive debate and
discussions surrounding best options which, along
with strong leadership, will help fashion creative,
flexible and adaptive cultures. Given geographical
diversity in resources it is quite possible that
emergent optimal strategies will vary from place to
place.