In the heart of the agricultural revolution, a silent transformation is sweeping through the fields, and it’s not just about the crops. As smart farming technologies (SFTs) reshape the way we grow food, they’re also redefining the roles of the people who advise farmers on these cutting-edge practices. A recent study, led by Ruth Nettle from the School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences at the University of Melbourne, sheds light on how these changes are impacting the work of farm advisers, with implications that stretch far beyond the farm gate, including the energy sector.
Imagine a farm adviser, once primarily concerned with soil health and crop rotation, now juggling data analytics, digital platforms, and complex business models. This is the new reality for many advisers as they navigate the smart farming landscape. “The diversity of advisory roles is expanding rapidly,” Nettle explains. “We’re seeing a bifurcation and specialisation of roles, with some advisers focusing more on the technical aspects of SFTs, while others concentrate on the socio-economic implications.”
This shift is creating what Nettle terms ‘digiwork’—the integration of social, material, and symbolic practices in smart farming. It’s a complex blend of traditional advisory work and new, tech-driven tasks. Advisers are now spending more time in what Nettle calls the ‘side office,’ a nexus between the farm and the digital world, where they manage data, troubleshoot technology, and help farmers adapt their business models to the new realities of smart farming.
The energy sector, with its own digital transformation underway, can learn from these changes. As farms become more data-driven, they’re also becoming more energy-intensive, with a growing need for power to run sensors, drones, and other SFTs. Advisers, with their expanded roles, could play a crucial part in helping farmers manage this energy demand, perhaps even integrating renewable energy solutions into their advice.
But these changes aren’t without their challenges. The increased workload and the need for continuous learning can lead to burnout if not managed properly. Moreover, without collective support from government or industry, there’s a risk that the advisory system could become too technology-centric and privatised, potentially leaving some farmers behind.
So, what does the future hold? Nettle’s research, published in the journal Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, suggests that the advisory system needs to evolve to keep up with the pace of technological change. This could mean more investment in training and development for advisers, as well as a greater emphasis on collaboration and knowledge sharing.
For the energy sector, it’s an opportunity to engage with the agricultural community, to understand their needs, and to explore how they can support this digital transition. After all, the future of farming is not just about growing crops—it’s about growing a sustainable, resilient, and digitally savvy agricultural sector. And farm advisers, with their unique blend of traditional knowledge and digital prowess, will be at the heart of this transformation.
