How the internet is revolutionizing sustainable agriculture in Asia

Abstract

Internet access and use vary greatly across regions and countries. In 2023, the internet penetration rate, defined as the ratio of the number of internet users to the total population, was 65.9% in Asia and the Pacific but as high as 90.5% in European countries. Within Asia, internet penetration rates are relatively high in countries such as the Republic of Korea (97%), Japan (93.3%), and Singapore (92%). In contrast, countries like the Republic of China (PRC) (69.8%), India (59.5%), and Pakistan (50.9%) have comparatively lower internet penetration rates (Statista 2023). Globally, the internet penetration rate in rural areas has increased from 42.6% in 2020 to 50.4% in 2023, yet it still lags behind that of urban areas (ITU 2024). Despite the relatively lower internet penetration rate in rural areas, the rapid expansion of internet use has significantly transformed and advanced the sustainability of agricultural production. Internet use fosters a more sustainable future for agriculture through two principal pathways: farm management and farm performance.