Technology is really helping the agriculture sector to be more productive and efficient in their operations. But using technology does require considerations in regard to regulations and ethics.

Image source: Christopher Burns, Unsplash, Unsplash Licence

Some considerations include:

• Data privacy and security – technology collects valuable data to assist in farm management however this data needs to be protected. Farms need to ensure they have robust security measures to prevent unauthorised access or data breaches.
• Ownership and control of data – most farm machinery comes with inbuilt technology. To be able to use the technology of the machine farmers need to connect using the equipment manufacturer’s software. This can lead to issues of who has access to the data and how it can be used by manufacturers.
• Intellectual property rights – regulations related to patents, trademarks and intellectual property rights impact and protect the use of innovative technologies.
• Environmental impact – the use of technology should not harm the environment and should contribute to sustainable practices. This includes the safe disposal of technology when broken or out of date.
• Food safety and traceability – the use of technology can help assist in gathering and managing data in relation to food safety and traceability providing customers with accurate information about the produce.

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