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Assessing costs and benefits of agricultural digitalisation: the case of data collection support tools in agricultural-pastoral farms

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  • Fabio Lepore,
  • Livia Ortolani,
  • Constantine Iliopoulos,
  • Daniele Vergamini,
  • Gianluca Brunori
Fabio Lepore
University of Pisa
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36253/rea-15851

Published 2025-03-18

Keywords

  • digital technology,
  • livestock farming,
  • costs and benefits,
  • sustainable digitalisation,
  • living lab

How to Cite

Lepore, F., Ortolani, L., Iliopoulos, C., Vergamini, D., & Brunori, G. (2025). Assessing costs and benefits of agricultural digitalisation: the case of data collection support tools in agricultural-pastoral farms. Italian Review of Agricultural Economics (REA). https://doi.org/10.36253/rea-15851

Copyright (c) 2025 Fabio Lepore, Livia Ortolani, Constantine Iliopoulos, Daniele Vergamini, Gianluca Brunori

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Abstract

The digitalisation of agriculture is transforming production models, offering advanced tools for data management and operational efficiency. This study examines the impact of digital technologies, focusing on agricultural-pastoral farms as a case study, with particular attention to the social, economic, and environmental costs and benefits perceived by stakeholders. A living lab approach was used, involving farmers, technicians, animal science and ICT experts, and supply chain representatives to make a participatory evaluation of a co-designed Farm Management Information System. This study contributes to the literature by offering an insightful analysis of stakeholder-driven digitalisation processes in the agricultural sector. Results indicate no negative social or environmental externalities. Costs are classified as transition for user training, transaction for collaboratively developing the data-sharing and governance infrastructure, and operational for maintenance expenses and return on the public investment that funded its development. Social benefits include improved farmer well-being, reduced administrative burdens, and greater appeal for young farmers. Economic benefits involve increased productivity, enhanced management efficiency, cost reductions, and a higher market value. Environmental benefits arise from optimised resource use, less waste, and reduced antibiotic resistance. These findings highlight the potential of digitalisation to enhance production quality, animal welfare, and farm management, laying the foundation for broader benefits along the supply chain, aligned with the principles of sustainable digitalisation.

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