Systemic design requirements for sustainable Digital Twins in precision livestock farming

Abstract

Facing the manifold sustainability challenges (GHG emissions, eutrophication, social welfare, etc.) in livestock farming, Digital Twins can help farmers to use available feed and nutrients efficiently, monitor livestock health, and control emissions to air, soil, and water. Combined with current precision livestock farming (PLF) technologies, Digital Twins (DT) enable real-time monitoring, simulation, and automation capabilities through real-world models and a two-way flow of information. As current applications are mostly focused on closed and highly regulated systems, this paper investigates the systemic challenges and associated design implications of DTs in complex PLF settings. By integrating a STES (social-technical-ecological system) design approach, the authors argue to foster design strategies that serve sustainable livestock governance and enable a sound and flexible basis for balancing associated engineering requirements such as privacy, security, ethics, and inclusion. We will use a qualitative assessment approach, discuss multidisciplinary requirements for Digital Twins, and consolidate them in a high-level road-map.