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Big data for big farming: How 5G and the metaverse are changing agriculture

A of digital technologies in the International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology suggests that integration of mobile, 5G, wireless and the so-called metaverse could be a turning point in global agriculture. The use of this kind of technology is becoming essential in the face of population growth, climate change, and resource scarcity.

5G offers fast data transmission and almost ubiquitous connectivity for devices. In agricultural terms, this means smart sensors embedded in fields and greenhouses can transmit real-time data on soil conditions, crop health, and the weather to individual farmers or a central farming-control system. This allows more timely interventions to be undertaken when necessary, reducing waste and increasing precision in the use of water, fertilizers, and pesticides—all of which should cut costs, improve efficiency, and lead to better yields.

According to the review by Wenliang Tang and Muhammad Umair Assad of East China Jiaotong University, Junliang Xu of Jiangxi Telecommunications and Information Industry Co., Ltd., Jieming Liu of Jiangxi Zhongxin Yunnong Technology Co., Ltd. in Jiangxi, China, and Yifan Gao of Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, such capability extends beyond passive monitoring. 5G also enables the remote operation of advanced machinery, such as autonomous tractors and agricultural drones.

In areas where labor shortages or extreme conditions make manual work difficult or dangerous, remote-controlled equipment offers a safer and often more efficient alternative. These changes could be particularly transformative in developing countries, where post-harvest losses are high and efficient resource use is critical.

In parallel, the metaverse, a digital environment in which users can interact in real-time through virtual or augmented realities, is finding unexpected applications in farming. Virtual reality (VR) can provide interactive training platforms for farmers, allowing them to practice new techniques or understand complex machinery without the need to travel or risk costly mistakes in the field. These tools are especially valuable in rural areas with limited access to conventional educational infrastructure.

A more advanced application of the metaverse in agriculture is the use of digital twins: virtual replicas of physical farms created through real-time data feeds. Such digital environments would allow farmers to simulate different agricultural scenarios, such as the introduction of a new crop or changes in irrigation strategies, before making real-world decisions.

The virtual nature of the metaverse also opens up the possibility of new ways for farmers to collaborate. Farmers, researchers, and policymakers can convene in digital spaces regardless of physical distance, to discuss best practices and develop solutions to common problems together.