A Qualitative Review of Smart Farming in ASEAN

The population of ASEAN is steadily increasing and with rapid urbanization, there is mounting pressure on the issue of food security. Fears are that traditional farming methods alone will not be able to meet the increased demand for food. Fortunately, the emergence of disruptive technologies in fields such as agriculture has brought about efficiencies in the way things work. Smart farming techniques and technologies can increase farm outputs and improve food safety, at the same time reducing harmful effects on the environment. While the adoption of smart farming technologies has achieved success abroad, there have been mixed responses across Southeast Asia. Policymakers must address the reasons why the transformation of agriculture industries in ASEAN may not be smooth. Given the strong interdependence among the 10 member states for the provision of food and agricultural products, it is advisable to adopt a regional strategy to ensure food security. As developments on smart farming in the region are current and an ongoing process, a qualitative approach was applied to address the research problems in question.