Leveraging digital tools for sustainable precision in Agriculture 3.0–5.0: a scoping review of trends, benefits, and challenges

Introduction Agriculture is experiencing a major transformation driven by rapid advancements in digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and the Internet of Things. This study reviews the evolution of digital agriculture from Agriculture 3.0 to Agriculture 5.0, focusing on technological developments, sustainability outcomes, and socio-economic implications. The review also examines the opportunities and challenges associated with integrating advanced digital technologies into modern agricultural systems. Methods The study employed a scoping review approach using interdisciplinary literature from peer-reviewed journal articles, policy reports, and scholarly publications related to digital agriculture, precision farming, AI applications, and sustainable agricultural systems. Relevant studies were analyzed to identify key technological trends, sustainability impacts, adoption barriers, and policy implications associated with Agriculture 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0 frameworks. Results The findings indicate that Agriculture 3.0 introduced precision agriculture technologies such as GPS-guided systems, geographic information systems, and variable-rate technologies aimed at optimizing agricultural inputs and improving efficiency. Agriculture 4.0 advanced digital transformation through interconnected systems involving IoT devices, robotics, drones, cloud computing, and real-time data analytics. Agriculture 5.0 represents a human-centric paradigm integrating AI-driven decision-support systems, digital twins, automation, and ethical governance frameworks to support regenerative, climate-smart, and sustainable agriculture. However, major barriers to adoption remain, including high implementation costs, digital inequality, inadequate infrastructure, data governance concerns, and limited technical capacity, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Discussion The study concludes that achieving sustainable digital agriculture requires more than technological innovation alone. Effective implementation depends on coordinated policy frameworks, inclusive innovation strategies, investments in digital infrastructure, and capacity-building programmes. Addressing ethical concerns related to data governance, digital inequality, and technological accessibility is essential for ensuring that digital agriculture contributes to equitable and sustainable agricultural development.