This working paper investigates the appropriateness of a wide range of digital solutions for agriculture, including in low- and middle-income countries, and, based on available evidence, summarizes the expected (social, economic and environmental) impacts of such technologies. It further discusses the main drivers and barriers to adoption, and the role of policies and regulations in creating an enabling environment.

This working paper was developed as a background document for the FAO report The State of Food and Agriculture 2022 – Leveraging automation in agriculture for transforming agrifood systems and findings are available in the policy brief Transforming agriculture with digital automation.