Farming the Future: Agriculture’s Next Revolution?

After the advent of fertiliser in the 19th century and mechanisation in the 20th, agriculture now faces its 21st-century revolution: automation and genetic engineering, promising higher yields at lower cost. But what will agriculture and food look like afterwards? Who will toil the soil, and who will reap the profits? Genetically modified (GM) crops can resist pests, have great tolerance to even the harshest of climates, and offer improved yields and nutrition. Yet, some risks remain—pesticide-resistant superweeds, biodiversity loss, as well as potential health concerns. In addition, corporate control could lead to exploitation of farmers or create monocultures that don’t meet the population's needs.

High Tech Harvests

The numbers are concerning: In 2022, GM crops covered over 200 million hectares globally, boosting yields by up to 22% compared to conventional varieties. Now, information technologies—autonomous tractors, sensors, and harvesting robots—are transforming farming: Smart precision farming can reduce water use by up to 30%, decrease fertiliser use by 20%, and increase productivity by 15%, according to a 2024 study. AI could play a crucial role in feeding a global population expected to reach 10 billion by 2050.

Tech ecosystems

For small farmers, affordable tech enabling a more efficient cultivation could be a lifeline. Yet, the future seems to tilt toward giants like Bayer and John Deere, who can afford the high R&D costs related to GM crops, robotics, and machinery. Like Apple and Google, big agri is working to create proprietary technology ecosystems integrating AI, robotics, and genetic engineering. Crops, fertilisers, and machinery might then soon be designed to work exclusively within the company's ecosystem. Think crops engineered to be compatible with special harvesting robots only , reinforcing corporate control over both seeds and machinery. Bayer-Monsanto’s Roundup Ready soybeans already tie farmers to Bayer’s own herbicides, while John Deere’s AI-driven platforms lock farmers into the manufacturer’s components, data analytics, and repair services. As agriculture becomes digital, corporations copy digital capitalism’s business models, while farmers risk being trapped in expensive, corporate-controlled systems and subscription models.

Centralised systems don’t just impact farmers—consumers face risks as well. As competition shrinks and corporations gain monopoly- or cartel-like control over food supplies, prices for staple crops could rise, making food less affordable for lower-income consumers. Additionally, crop diversity may suffer as companies prioritise genetically engineered varieties optimised for profit rather than for their nutritional value or to honour regional food traditions. If independent farmers and smaller suppliers are squeezed out, consumers could find themselves with fewer choices at a higher cost, while food production becomes more vulnerable to supply chain disruptions.

Toiling machines

What happens to farm labour, as robots make their entrance on the fields? While autonomous tractors, AI-driven harvesters, and precision robotics reduce costs and increase efficiency, they at the same time displace large numbers of farm workers, especially in developing nations. While some new job positions in AI-driven farm management may emerge—such as drone operators, data analysts, and precision agriculture specialists—these professional jobs require digital literacy and access to capital, which smallholders and farm laborers often lack. Technology may then shift employment rather than eliminate it, the transition favouring those with the resources to adapt. Corporate farms, with their capital advantage, stand to profit most, as they expand operations while reducing labor costs, putting more pressure on small farmers, who can hardly compete.

Agriculture’s Digital Divide

To some, tech adoption is simply too cost-prohibitive —the price tag on John Deere’s autonomous tractor, for example, can exceed half a million dollars. Small farms have been feeling the pain for years. In the U.S., their numbers dropped by 7% from 2017 to 2022, while large farms grew wealthier. 60% of U.S. small farmers earn under $50k annually.

Without subsidised credit, training, and public-private partnerships, the digital divide widens. In response, new agricultural cooperatives are emerging. In Brazil, for instance, farmers pool resources to tap into AI tools, boosting yields by 10%. In India, government-backed digital literacy initiatives have paired with microfinance credits to boost smallholder tech adoption by 15% since 2020. In Kenya, farmer cooperatives use mobile technology to access AI-driven advisory services providing guidance on farming decisions, reducing costs by 20%. Such measures—credits, training, infrastructure investment—are vital in bridging the gap. Without them, millions of farmers remain locked out of agriculture’s future, which is unavoidably digital.

Statement

Agriculture’s next revolution is here—automation, AI and genetic engineering promise higher yields at a lower cost. Yet large agri corporations control food production, stifle competition, and influence legislators. Agriculture faces being reshaped into a tightly managed, profit-driven enterprise. Governments must act against monopolistic practices, uphold competition, and invest in digital literacy and subsidies for small farmers. Their empowerment through cooperative models and access to technology is vital for a diverse and resilient agricultural future.

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