Assignment 1 Semester 1 2026
Unique number: 745569
Due Date: 25 March 2026
QUESTION 1
Ethnographic Report to the Human Sciences Research Council: eMoya Community
Local Knowledge and Algorithmic Authority in Precision Agriculture
In eMoya, farming is not only about producing food. It is part of identity, memory, and
respect for ancestors. Elders have learned how to read the soil, weather, and seasons
through lived experience passed from one generation to another. This knowledge is not
written in books or stored in machines. It lives in people and in their daily practices.
The introduction of AI-driven precision agriculture changes this relationship in a deep way.
The system uses drones and sensors to collect data and then tells farmers when to plant,
water, and harvest. This reflects what Holler and others describe as a move towards
automated productivity where decisions are shaped by machines rather than people (Holler
et al., 2014). In eMoya, this creates tension because authority shifts away from elders and
towards technology.
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QUESTION 1
Ethnographic Report to the Human Sciences Research Council: eMoya
Community
Local Knowledge and Algorithmic Authority in Precision Agriculture
In eMoya, farming is not only about producing food. It is part of identity, memory, and
respect for ancestors. Elders have learned how to read the soil, weather, and
seasons through lived experience passed from one generation to another. This
knowledge is not written in books or stored in machines. It lives in people and in their
daily practices.
The introduction of AI-driven precision agriculture changes this relationship in a deep
way. The system uses drones and sensors to collect data and then tells farmers
when to plant, water, and harvest. This reflects what Holler and others describe as a
move towards automated productivity where decisions are shaped by machines
rather than people (Holler et al., 2014). In eMoya, this creates tension because
authority shifts away from elders and towards technology.
For younger people, this system appears efficient and modern. They see it as a way
to improve yields and reduce uncertainty. Their thinking connects with ideas that
technology can open opportunities and support development (Manyika et al., 2017).
However, for elders, the system feels like it replaces their knowledge rather than
supporting it. When a machine tells a farmer what to do, it suggests that traditional
knowledge is no longer valuable.
What is at stake is more than farming technique. It is about power and respect.
Elders hold social authority because of their knowledge. If decisions are made by
algorithms, their role in the community weakens. This may lead to loss of status and
reduced influence in community decision making. It may also create generational
conflict, where young people trust the system and elders resist it.
There is also a deeper cultural issue. In eMoya, land is not only an economic
resource. It is connected to ancestors and spiritual life. Farming practices often
follow rituals and beliefs that honour this connection. When farming becomes data
driven, the land is treated as a system to be optimised. This risks removing its
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is"
without any express or implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or
liability for any actions taken based on the information contained within this document. This document is
intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes. Reproduction, resale, or transmission
of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.