IMPACT OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES IN AGRICULTURE IN GERMANY ON SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY –COMPARISON OF A DELPHI STUDY WITH A SURVEY OF PRACTICING FARMERS

Digitization in agriculture will have an impact on all dimensions of sustainability. However, the social dimension of sustainability is often neglected because it is very difficult to quantify and measure using indicators. This paper investigated and elaborated how digitization in agriculture is perceived to affect the social dimension of sustainability. A mixed-method approach was chosen, consisting of a qualitative Delphi study with experts and a quantitative survey with practicing farmers. It was noticeable that for all questions where there are particularly striking deviations, it can be seen that the Delphi experts always achieve a higher mean value than the practicing farmers. Experts see farmers as being more overburdened when it comes to dealing with digital technologies. They also see digitization as an opportunity to create new jobs. Risks are also rated higher by the experts. For example, a higher dependence on manufacturers was indicated, and risks are also rated higher in the case of data misuse. The experts also gave a higher rating to opportunities in the area of cost calculation and in the opening up of new business models. The experts do not see any risk that the profession of farmer will be abolished in the course of digitization and replaced by large corporations. However, the result achieved is considerably higher than that of the practicing farmers. Overall, the results of the mixed-methods approach were found to be similar among experts and practicing farmers for most questions.