Digital Agriculture and Sustainability Practices in Rural Türkiye: A Review on the Villages of Tomorrow Project

Abstract

Digital agriculture technologies offer significant opportunities to increase agricultural productivity, utilize water and soil resources efficiently, and improve farmers' incomes. This article examines the impact of these technologies on sustainability in Türkiye’s rural areas and the role of the "Villages of Tomorrow" project. In partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Trendyol, the project aims to promote the adoption of digital agriculture technologies in rural areas and foster sustainable development. The project focuses on disadvantaged groups and promotes gender equality. Climate stations, soil moisture monitoring devices, automatic irrigation systems, pest tracking cameras, crop observation cameras and consultancy services are provided to farmers to ensure the efficiency of these technologies. By 2028, the project aims to establish ten "villages of tomorrow" across various regions of Türkiye, equipping them with digital agriculture equipment. Prioritizing low-carbon solutions and aiming for carbon neutrality, the project adopts circular economy models in the agricultural industry and integrates technologies such as machine learning and AI. According to the project's 6-month data, 20% savings in labor, 15% in fertilizer, 25% in pesticides were achieved with the agricultural climate station. Additionally, 25% savings in pesticides were achieved with the digital pest trap, 15% in electricity with the soil moisture station and irrigation automation, and 20% in fuel with the tractor tracking device. During the same period, 881 people attended trainings, majority being women and students. In conclusion, the project offers a model for the adoption of digital agriculture and achieving sustainability goals in Türkiye’s rural areas.