From farm to future: How digital innovation is transforming sustainable livestock production
Livestock systems are at a crossroads. On the one hand, global demand for animal-sourced food is projected to increase by nearly 70% by 2050. On the other, the sector faces mounting pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve animal welfare, adapt to climate change, and remain economically viable – particularly for small and medium-scale producers. Against this backdrop, digitalization is increasingly seen not as a luxury, but as a necessity for the future of sustainable livestock production. These dynamics and emerging responses are examined in detail in the new book chapter “From farm to future: Driving sustainable livestock production through digitalization”, published in Digital Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems (Elsevier).
- Artificial Intelligence
- crops
- livestock
From farm to future: How digital innovation is transforming sustainable livestock production
Livestock systems are at a crossroads. On the one hand, global demand for animal-sourced food is projected to increase by nearly 70% by 2050. On the other, the sector faces mounting pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve animal welfare, adapt to climate change, and remain economically viable – particularly for small and medium-scale producers. Against this backdrop, digitalization is increasingly seen not as a luxury, but as a necessity for the future of sustainable livestock production. These dynamics and emerging responses are examined in detail in the new book chapter “From farm to future: Driving sustainable livestock production through digitalization”, published in Digital Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems (Elsevier).
Digital technologies – ranging from wearable sensors and satellite data to artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain – are reshaping how livestock systems are monitored, managed, and governed. When applied thoughtfully, they can support productivity, resilience, and sustainability at the same time. But realizing this potential requires more than technology alone: It demands inclusive policies, capacity building, and context-specific solutions.