Digital transformation in the countryside: How ‘Smart Farming’ is strengthening the climate resilience of Argentine agriculture
by Dr. Alexander Freier
Droughts, heat waves, hailstorms, floods: climate change is no longer an abstract future scenario, but a concrete reality that shapes the daily lives of agricultural producers in Argentina. Faced with an increase in extreme events and economic risks, more and more farmers are seeking solutions that combine resilience, efficiency, and sustainability. In this context, a new approach is gaining prominence: Smart Farming.
The promise of digital agriculture is to optimise the use of water, fertilisers and plant protection products, anticipate risks and preserve resources more efficiently. A World Bank report on ‘Climate-Smart Agriculture in Argentina’ shows that the targeted application of digital technologies can significantly improve the resilience of production systems. Noteworthy examples include sensors that provide early warning of water stress, satellite data to predict crop losses, and artificial intelligence platforms that adjust inputs based on soil conditions.
However, the reality on the ground is still uneven. Despite technological advances, a considerable financing gap persists. Many small and medium-sized producers are unable to access these solutions due to their high initial costs and uncertainty regarding their recovery. Organisations such as the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Climate Finance Lab are promoting tools such as ‘climate-smart loans’ , which link access to credit with measurable environmental benefits, such as reduced water consumption or CO₂ emissions. Complemented by national subsidies, these initiatives could have a strong impact in Argentina.
At the regional level, political commitment to digital modernisation is growing. Programmes such as Córdoba 4.0, investments in innovation centres and projects such as Campos Inteligentes reflect the fact that smart farming is no longer a marginal issue but has become a strategic axis of development. Thanks to its territorial extension, technological talent and export capacity, Argentina could position itself as a regional benchmark in climate-smart agriculture.
What exactly is Smart Farming?
Digitalisation, artificial intelligence and sensors: tools that are already commonplace in industry and are now also transforming agriculture. Smart Farming involves the strategic use of digital technologies to increase productivity, optimise inputs and anticipate climate impacts. But it is not just about incorporating technology, it is about redefining the way we produce: in a more precise, connected and predictive way.
The focus is on data-driven management. Sensors record humidity, temperature and nutrients in real time; drones and satellites capture detailed images of crop conditions. Artificial intelligence systems translate this data into specific recommendations: when to irrigate, fertilise or harvest. The experience is complemented by objective information, enabling more robust and timely decisions.
The heart of the model is Precision Farming: instead of treating the field as a homogeneous unit, it is divided into microzones. This allows water, fertilisers and agrochemicals to be applied with greater accuracy, reducing costs and environmental impact. Automated machinery and intelligent irrigation systems carry out these actions in detail. All information is managed in the cloud, facilitating remote monitoring and traceability – key to accessing increasingly demanding international markets.
Smart Farming is not an end in itself, but an essential tool for more resilient, efficient and sustainable agriculture. In a context of high climate uncertainty, digitalisation offers new answers: it improves planning, reduces risks and strengthens competitiveness.
Smart Farming in the face of the climate crisis
Smart Farming is, in this sense, a strategic response to the challenges of climate change. The increasing unpredictability of the climate is forcing us to rethink production systems. A meta-analysis by Danish et al. (2023) reveals that the adjusted use of inputs according to soil type, crop and weather forecast allows for increased yields without increasing inputs.
In turn, the intelligent use of water, energy and nutrients reduces costs and mitigates ecological impacts. This benefits not only the producer, but also their environment: soils, water bodies and biodiversity.
Continuous data collection improves crop quality: more homogeneous plants, products with better appearance, durability and nutritional profile – key aspects in international markets. In addition, accurate information reduces uncertainty: decisions are no longer based solely on intuition, but on predictive models that consider a wide range of variables.
On the other hand, new technologies open the door to greater transparency. Blockchain systems allow for total traceability – from planting to the shelf – generating trust among consumers and investors. Thus, Smart Farming not only optimises production, but also facilitates access to sustainable markets.
Success stories in Argentina
Pioneering companies such as Kilimo, based in Córdoba, demonstrate that Smart Farming is already a local reality. This AgTech combines sensors and satellite data to optimise irrigation in real time, especially in semi-arid areas. According to the company, producers have managed to reduce their water consumption by up to 40%. In total, more than 50 billion litres have been saved, leading Kilimo to be recognised by Fast Company magazine as one of the ‘Most Innovative Companies of 2025’.
Its business model is also innovative: the water saved is converted into ‘water credits’ that are sold to companies that need to offset their water footprint. Kilimo thus connects agriculture and environmental markets, generating economic incentives for the efficient use of the resource.
Other platforms such as Auravant and SIMA are also driving the digitalisation of Argentine agriculture. Both combine satellite imagery, meteorological data and mobile interfaces to improve management decisions. Auravant offers an open cloud platform for managing and analysing agronomic data; SIMA (Agricultural Monitoring System) is an intuitive app for recording field observations in real time. This allows farmers to accurately determine the optimal times for sowing, fertilising or harvesting, surpassing practices based on individual experience.
The incorporation of multispectral drones with artificial intelligence complements these tools. They detect plant stress, pests, or diseases before visible symptoms appear. This allows for more precise and reduced application of phytosanitary products, with economic and environmental benefits. These experiences show that Argentina can become a hub of innovation for climate-smart agriculture in Latin America.
Outlook for Córdoba and Argentina
Argentina is at a strategic turning point. With more than 400 AgTech (agricultural technology) start-ups, a world-class research network – including institutions such as INTA, CONICET and technical universities – and growing global interest in sustainable agriculture, the country is uniquely positioned to lead the development of digital agricultural technologies.
The province of Córdoba is emerging as a focal point. With a high concentration of technology startups, a consolidated scientific and technological infrastructure, and programmes such as ‘Córdoba 4.0’ that promote the digitisation of agriculture, an innovative ecosystem with growing national projection has been established.
Córdoba is positioning itself as a catalyst for digital transformation: a testing ground for smart applications, a bridge between local practices and global markets, and a driver of new sustainable value chains. Companies are already adopting Smart Farming technologies with a view to exporting certified, traceable products produced to environmental standards. The incorporation of data platforms, sustainability criteria, and new financial models reinforces the region's global competitiveness.
However, structural weaknesses remain. Small and medium-sized farms require access to financing to adopt these solutions. Specific training programmes on the use of agronomic data, environmental indicators and business management are also needed.
A clear institutional strategy is key: legal certainty, sustained political support and coordinated promotion policies are the basis for scaling up the model. Although Córdoba currently occupies a prominent position, the full deployment of digital agriculture will only be possible if regional initiatives are articulated in a national strategy that integrates digitalisation, climate adaptation and productive competitiveness.
Challenges and policy recommendations
The leap from pilot initiatives to mass implementation remains limited. Despite regional advances, such as in Córdoba, the digital transformation of agriculture faces significant structural barriers: financing, connectivity, and institutionality.
The biggest obstacle is access to capital. Smart technologies require high initial investments that many producers cannot afford. Smart irrigation systems, soil sensors, and AI platforms are costly in a context of high economic volatility. Flexible and secure financial instruments are needed: state-backed leasing, microcredits, or access to international funds such as the Green Climate Fund or the Global Environment Facility could unlock the process.
Added to this is the lack of connectivity in rural areas. Without reliable internet, digital solutions lose their effectiveness. Therefore, the expansion of digital infrastructure, including universal service funds and satellite technologies, must be a national priority.
It is also key to strengthen human capacities. Without knowledge and trust, technology will not be adopted. Training plans in digital tools, data management and sustainability are required. Collaboration between INTA, universities and technology companies can generate demonstration centres that translate innovation into concrete practice.
Tax incentives can also accelerate change: green credit lines, tax benefits or pay-for-performance schemes – such as reducing emissions or water consumption – could mobilise new investments.
But what is still missing is a clear national strategy. Only an integrated agenda, with public-private coordination and common guidelines, will allow regional advances to be replicated on a national scale. In this way, Argentina could move from being a regional benchmark to a global leader in digital and climate-resilient agriculture.
Conclusion
Smart Farming is no longer a futuristic vision, but a concrete strategic necessity for Argentine agriculture in the 21st century. Faced with increasing climate variability, growing environmental demands and international competition, the intelligent use of digital technologies offers a unique opportunity to make production systems more resilient, efficient and sustainable.
As demonstrated by the advances in Córdoba, there are solid foundations for this change: innovative start-ups, centres of research excellence and a growing awareness of data-driven decision-making form a dynamic ecosystem. Successful cases such as Kilimo and Auravant prove that Argentine AgTech innovations not only have a local impact, but also receive global recognition.
However, this potential will only be fully realised if technological advances cease to be isolated pilot initiatives and are consolidated structurally and institutionally. This requires strategic investments in digital infrastructure, accessible financing models for small and medium-sized producers, and comprehensive training and technical assistance programmes. Above all, a coherent national strategy is needed to integrate digitalisation, climate action and agricultural development.
Smart Farming does not seek to replace producers, but rather to empower them: providing them with better data, more accurate decisions and greater autonomy. If Argentina manages to understand technology as a tool for sustainable transformation, it could become an international model for climate-smart agriculture – socially, ecologically and economically.
Fuentes y bibliografía (selección):
Banco Mundial (2019): Agricultura climáticamente inteligente en Argentina.
FAO: Libro de referencia sobre agricultura climáticamente inteligente.
Danish, Subhan; Ali, Hakoomat; y Datta, Rahul (2023). Agricultura inteligente: integración de la agricultura de conservación, la tecnología de la información y técnicas avanzadas para cultivos sostenibles. Londres: Intechopen.
Climate Finance Lab: Plataforma GreenFi
BID: RG-X1227 – Agricultura climáticamente inteligente en América Latina y el Caribe
Córdoba 4.0: https://cytcordoba.cba.gov.ar
Perfil: Artículo sobre AgTech y agricultura inteligente, 2024
Kilimo: https://kilimo.com – AgTech desde Córdoba
Farmers.gov: Programas de préstamos agrícolas para la agricultura climáticamente inteligente del USDA
ODI (2023): Financiación climática para la agricultura climáticamente inteligente
PNUD: Plataforma de inversores de los ODS – Agricultura inteligente y de precisión
Agrofy News, La Nación, Canal E, Infoagro: Cobertura sobre innovaciones AgTech en Argentina
Originally published in InfoClima.com.ar
