The Precision Farming Revolution Global Drivers of Local Agricultura
This book examines the precision farming revolution in Somerset, England. It reveals the reasons why local farmers invested in autonomous systems and traces the outcomes of adoption. It describes the local and global drivers of the fourth industrial revol
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The Precision Farming Revolution
James E. Addicott
The Precision Farming Revolution Global Drivers of Local Agricultural Methods
James E. Addicott Bath, UK
ISBN 978-981-13-9685-4 ISBN 978-981-13-9686-1 (eBook) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-9686-1 © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are solely and exclusively licensed by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Cover image: James E. Addicott This Palgrave Macmillan imprint is published by the registered company Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. The registered company address is: 152 Beach Road, #21-01/04 Gateway East, Singapore 189721, Singapore
Preface
Precision farming systems were marketed to local farmers on their ability to increase yields whilst reducing inputs and business overheads to ‘save planet earth’ and ‘feed the world’. But could autonomous, satellite-driven tractors and farm equipment help local family farmers achieve these goals? Critics contend that self-steering and self-regulating farm equipment incorporated throughputs of commoditised data which devalued the time-honoured knowledge accumulated by farming families; autonomous control systems reduced farmers to the role of nodes or conduits within control systems dominated by transnational firms. This book is the result of four years of research conducted at the University of Cambridge, and contains ethnographic research carried out in the West Country of England within a cooperative of farmers in rural village communities. It reveals the reasons why local farmers were investing into autonomous systems and traces any outcomes of adoption. It describes the driving forces in the fourth industrial revolution in the lead up to Britain’s Brexit referendum, detailing local and global drivers in revolution from the launch of Sputnik 1, world population growt
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