The Social And Economic Impacts Of Digitalization In Organic Agriculture: The Example Of Robots For Weed Control In Switzerland

Summary

The goal of this paper is to initiate a debate on the implication of introducing digital technologies into organic farming practice. With the example of a living lab on “Robotics in Swiss Organic Farming”, we will present first results of our study in the framework of the on-going EU research project DESIRA. The living lab consists of a network of farmers, advisors, technology experts, innovators, and consumers to ensure that all relevant perspectives are integrated in the research. At the OWC, we will present the results of a first workshop on the assessment of needs, expectations and impacts of the technology. Further steps in the project will include creating scenarios for possible, desirable and non-desirable future developments of the technology. By presenting initial results of an on-going research project, we aim to enlarge the audience and discussion group on the introduction of digital technology in organic farming.