Digital and precision farming, emissions trade-offs, and food crop yields in Pakistan

Abstract

Climate change, low productivity, and environmental degradation are jeopardizing Pakistan's agricultural sector, whose sustainability and resilience can be potentially improved using agricultural technology (AgriTech). This study examines the relationship between digital technology, precision farming, methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, and Pakistan's grain crop yields to determine how modern technology impacts ecologically responsible farming. The study used Autoregressive Distributed Lag bounds testing to explore how data analytics, modern farming technologies, and agricultural value-added (AGRI) affect grain crop yields in the short and long run. Long-and short-term crop yields were reduced by AGRI. Data analytics could only produce short-term advantages, but precision agriculture tools and digital technologies assisted in enhancing yields significantly. CH4 and N2O emissions were significantly associated with yield growth, suggesting efficiency trade-offs. This study found that digital technology is an intensive farming method, resulting in higher yields linked to higher input consumption and emissions. The technology also enabled precision agriculture to increase productivity with lower environmental impacts. Taken together, the findings of the current study collectively underline the need to merge smart farming technologies with environmentally friendly methods to boost Pakistan's agricultural productivity and sustainability.