Bridging the Digital Divide in Agriculture: Lessons from the United States and Africa in Smart Farming Adoption

The adoption of smart farming has altered food production by increasing efficiency, sustainability, and productivity. However, there is a digital divide, with affluent countries such as the United States benefiting from advanced agricultural technologies, nevertheless, many African countries face limited access to digital tools, inadequate infrastructure, and financial restraints. This disparity has implications for food security, economic development, and global agricultural sustainability, prompting an in-depth examination of the factors impacting smart farming adoption in different regions. This review examines the benefits and impact of smart farming adoption on agricultural productivity, as well as identifies the potential benefits of cross-regional knowledge sharing across the United States and Africa. The findings indicate that smart farming technologies have considerably increased agricultural productivity and sustainability in the United States, due to strong government initiatives, public-private collaborations, and widespread digital infrastructure. In contrast, African farmers confront limited broadband connection, financial constraints, and insufficient institutional support, which restricts the adoption of precision agriculture and data-driven farming. Therefore, bridging the digital divide in agriculture necessitates a comprehensive approach that combines technology, policy, and capacity- building efforts.