Adapting to the Agricultural Labor Market Shaped by Robotization

Vasso Marinoudi; Lefteris Benos; Carolina Camacho Villa; Maria Lampridi; Dimitrios Kateris; Remigio Berruto; Simon Pearson; Claus Grøn Sørensen; Dionysis Bochtis

doi:10.3390/su16167061

Adapting to the Agricultural Labor Market Shaped by Robotization

Vasso Marinoudi, Lefteris Benos, Carolina Camacho Villa, Maria Lampridi, Dimitrios Kateris^*, Remigio Berruto, Simon Pearson, Claus Grøn Sørensen, Dionysis Bochtis

^*Corresponding author for this work

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering - Communication, Control and Automation

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaper › Journal article › Research › peer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Agriculture is being transformed through automation and robotics to improve efficiency and reduce production costs. However, this transformation poses risks of job loss, particularly for low-skilled workers, as automation decreases the need for human labor. To adapt, the workforce must acquire new qualifications to collaborate with automated systems or shift to roles that leverage their unique human abilities. In this study, 15 agricultural occupations were methodically mapped in a cognitive/manual versus routine/non-routine two-dimensional space. Subsequently, each occupation’s susceptibility to robotization was assessed based on the readiness level of existing technologies that can automate specific tasks and the relative importance of these tasks in the occupation’s execution. The qualifications required for occupations less impacted by robotization were summarized, detailing the specific knowledge, skills, and work styles required to effectively integrate the emerging technologies. It was deduced that occupations involving primary manual routine tasks exhibited the highest susceptibility rate, whereas occupations with non-routine tasks showed lower susceptibility. To thrive in this evolving landscape, a strategic combination of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) skills with essential management, soft skills, and interdisciplinary competences is imperative. Finally, this research stresses the importance of strategic preparation by policymakers and educational systems to cultivate key competencies, including digital literacy, that foster resilience, inclusivity, and sustainability in the sector.

Original language	English
Article number	7061
Journal	Sustainability
Volume	16
Issue	16
ISSN	2071-1050
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.3390/su16167061
Publication status	Published - Aug 2024

Keywords

agricultural workforce capacity-building
Occupational Information Network (O*NET) system
process automation
technological substitution/complementarity

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10.3390/su16167061Licence: CC BY

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title = "Adapting to the Agricultural Labor Market Shaped by Robotization",

abstract = "Agriculture is being transformed through automation and robotics to improve efficiency and reduce production costs. However, this transformation poses risks of job loss, particularly for low-skilled workers, as automation decreases the need for human labor. To adapt, the workforce must acquire new qualifications to collaborate with automated systems or shift to roles that leverage their unique human abilities. In this study, 15 agricultural occupations were methodically mapped in a cognitive/manual versus routine/non-routine two-dimensional space. Subsequently, each occupation{\textquoteright}s susceptibility to robotization was assessed based on the readiness level of existing technologies that can automate specific tasks and the relative importance of these tasks in the occupation{\textquoteright}s execution. The qualifications required for occupations less impacted by robotization were summarized, detailing the specific knowledge, skills, and work styles required to effectively integrate the emerging technologies. It was deduced that occupations involving primary manual routine tasks exhibited the highest susceptibility rate, whereas occupations with non-routine tasks showed lower susceptibility. To thrive in this evolving landscape, a strategic combination of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) skills with essential management, soft skills, and interdisciplinary competences is imperative. Finally, this research stresses the importance of strategic preparation by policymakers and educational systems to cultivate key competencies, including digital literacy, that foster resilience, inclusivity, and sustainability in the sector.",

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AU - Pearson, Simon

AU - Sørensen, Claus Grøn

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AB - Agriculture is being transformed through automation and robotics to improve efficiency and reduce production costs. However, this transformation poses risks of job loss, particularly for low-skilled workers, as automation decreases the need for human labor. To adapt, the workforce must acquire new qualifications to collaborate with automated systems or shift to roles that leverage their unique human abilities. In this study, 15 agricultural occupations were methodically mapped in a cognitive/manual versus routine/non-routine two-dimensional space. Subsequently, each occupation’s susceptibility to robotization was assessed based on the readiness level of existing technologies that can automate specific tasks and the relative importance of these tasks in the occupation’s execution. The qualifications required for occupations less impacted by robotization were summarized, detailing the specific knowledge, skills, and work styles required to effectively integrate the emerging technologies. It was deduced that occupations involving primary manual routine tasks exhibited the highest susceptibility rate, whereas occupations with non-routine tasks showed lower susceptibility. To thrive in this evolving landscape, a strategic combination of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) skills with essential management, soft skills, and interdisciplinary competences is imperative. Finally, this research stresses the importance of strategic preparation by policymakers and educational systems to cultivate key competencies, including digital literacy, that foster resilience, inclusivity, and sustainability in the sector.

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Adapting to the Agricultural Labor Market Shaped by Robotization

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