Western Cape Gears Up For Fourth Industrial Revolution

The Western Cape Department of Agriculture has commissioned the University of Stellenbosch Business School to research ways to unlock the advantages of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in the province. Research associate Angus Bowmaker-Falconer spoke to Glenneis Kriel.

- Glenneis Kriel

What exactly is the Fourth Industrial Revolution?

It is a revolution taking place due to machines becoming smarter and things or the world becoming more interconnected, thanks to huge advances in the speed of data processing. It is characterised by a fusion of technologies that are blurring the lines between the physical, virtual and biological spheres.

How does the fourth revolution differ from previous revolutions?

In comparison with the first revolution, which used water or steam to mechanise production; the second, which used electric power; and the third, which used electronics and information technology to automate processes, the fourth will have a much broader scale, scope and level of complexity.

It will fundamentally change the way in which we live, work and relate to one another. Falling behind will have serious economic consequences, not only for individuals but countries on the whole.

What type of agri tech is involved in this revolution?

We are talking about precision and smart-farming technologies, such as software that can be used to monitor and improve production efficiencies; robotics; variable rate technology; remote sensing; and improved seed and plant technology.

For the Western Cape study, we looked at ways to cash in on changes that will happen over the next three to four years through the use, for example, of smart water technology, intelligent irrigation systems, drought and disease-resistant seed and plant material, and the use of remote sensing to early identify production problems and to use inputs more efficiently.

Is South Africa’s agricultural industry lagging behind in this race?

Yes and no. The Western Cape Department of Agriculture has made various technologies, such as Farm Mapper and Fruit Look, available to farmers free of charge to help them break into this new era.