Examining the Sustainability of Precision Agriculture and the Role of Advisory Services in South Africa: An Integrative Review of Potentials, Challenges, And Strategies

Precision agriculture adopts a transformative and distinct approach that aims to maintain symmetry between economic productivity and ecological welfare within the broader context of the agricultural sector. The conceptualisation and implementation of precision agriculture emerge as a propulsion in developed countries, whereas discussions have been minimal in developing countries such as South Africa. Agricultural extension as a conduit of agricultural development, transformation, and sustainability has been forthcoming in the policy framework that enables the adoption and implementation of precision agriculture. This paper examined the implementation, opportunities, adoption challenges, and promotion of precision agriculture through extension services in South Africa. The review focused on literature articles published between 2003 and 2022. This review manuscript retrieved 5612 articles, of which 123 were appraised and reviewed after screening for applicability and relevance. Moreover, grey literature was also meticulously selected and extensively reviewed. Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), African Development Bank (AfDB), International Society for Precision Agriculture (ISPA), and Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) documents were used in this review. The review revealed that extension practitioners must be adequately trained in precision agriculture technology transfer and dissemination to efficiently render technology-related services to farmers. Moreover, the South African government should expedite a policy shift to address technology adoption gaps in precision agriculture. Finally, it concluded by expatriating that more research ought to be undertaken to explore and work out modalities for precision agriculture adoption and implementation in a broader context of the South African agricultural sector characteristics, dynamics, and scenarios.