Digital Agriculture as an Inclusive Innovation Pathway for Sustainable Food Security and Youth Employment in Limpopo Province, South Africa
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51137/wrp.ijsbe.721Keywords:
Digital Agriculture, Sustainable Food Security, Inclusive Innovation, Youth Employment, Limpopo ProvinceAbstract
Digital technologies are increasingly shaping agricultural systems across the world, offering new opportunities for improving food production, enhancing market participation, and creating employment opportunities for young people. This study examined how digital agriculture can contribute to sustainable food security and youth employment in Limpopo Province, South Africa, using an inclusive innovation perspective. The research adopted a systematic literature review approach supported by policy and empirical studies published from 2020 to date. Multiple academic databases were utilized as primary sources of information which include inter alia the Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. These academic databases were used to identify relevant literature on digital agriculture, rural innovation, and youth participation in agriculture. The findings show that digital tools such as precision agriculture technologies, mobile advisory platforms, and digital marketplaces can improve farm productivity and further strengthen agricultural value chains, whilst creating new forms of employment in rural areas and promoting the development of a more sustainable food sector. However, several barriers such as limited digital infrastructure, skills gaps, and unequal access to technology continue to be major constrains leading to minimal and sporadic widespread adoption of this innovation strategies. The study highlights the significance of developing inclusive innovation frameworks that can enable smallholder farmers and rural youth to equitably participate in and benefit from digital transformation processes. The paper concludes that digital agriculture has a catalytic potential for rural development in Limpopo if supported by targeted investments in digital infrastructure, agricultural training, and youth entrepreneurship programs.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Mantlo Richard Ngwepe, Humphrey Lephethe Motsepe (Author)
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