Abstract

Integration of technology in the agricultural sector in Latin American and Caribbean countries is complex, with the Dominican Republic (DR) serving as an exemplary scenario for significant findings. Key areas of study included forecasting, mechanization, infrastructure, and energy, emphasizing potential benefits in productivity, sustainability, and resilience.

This study explores technological interventions in agriculture. A total of nine technology readiness levels () were identified, divided into  development stages,  near-real operational stages, and , full scale readiness. Integrated site evaluation of various agricultural practices in collaboration with local agriculturists provided data for calculating the binary probability distribution of outcomes , and uncertainty () was estimated as a linear model combination of the cumulative distribution function values for each  . A random deviate () generated from a uniform distribution (0,1) and linear interpolation was used to simulate the TRL for each technology assessed in this study. Results show that irrigation systems face resistance ( ), hydroponic plantations show promise but lack cost efficiency ( ), genetically modified crops demonstrate long-standing acceptance( ), while forecasting, mechanization, and artificial intelligence are in early stages of adoption () Calculated averageTRL for DR = , highlighting the potential for agricultural innovation, however, underscoring the importance of targeted strategies to overcome barriers.

Agricultural technological integration aligns with UN SDG Goal 2, addressing hunger and enhancing food security. This encourages autarkic government policies and private sector collaboration, fostering efficient, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable agricultural practices in the Dominican Republic and across Latin American and Caribbean countries.