Abstract
Smart farming is predicted to solve global problems of food security by introducing digital technology to save production costs; however, by switching to the full use of technology it is displacing labour, as evidenced by several country studies presented in this paper. A new social contract would remedy the violation of workers’ rights and the lack of support from governments for sustainable smart farming. It should acknowledge the gaps between traditional and modern farming and integrate employment, social protection and sustainable development. The paper outlines the role of governments, trade unions and the ILO in this new social contract.