Abstract

The integration of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies has revolutionized precision agriculture by enabling real-time data collection, analysis, and informed decision-making for rural enterprises. These advancements have fostered improvements in resource management, productivity, and operational efficiency across diverse agricultural landscapes. However, alongside these technological gains, significant challenges have emerged in the domains of cybersecurity, data privacy, ethical responsibility, governance, and legal policy. Agricultural IoT networks, often deployed in remote and resource-constrained environments, are highly vulnerable to cyber threats that jeopardize data integrity and operational continuity. The growing volumes of agricultural data being collected raise serious questions regarding privacy, ownership, and fair benefit distribution, especially within rural communities that may lack the technical or legal means to protect their interests.

Introduction

The rapid advancement and adoption of digital technologies have significantly transformed agricultural practices worldwide [1], with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Internet of Things (IoT) emerging as critical enablers of precision agriculture. Precision agriculture leverages spatial and temporal data to optimize farm management decisions, improve crop yields, and ensure sustainable resource utilization [2]. GIS provides a powerful platform for capturing, analyzing, and visualizing geospatial information related to soil properties, weather patterns, crop health, and land use [3]. Simultaneously, IoT technologies deploy interconnected sensors, drones, and communication devices that continuously monitor environmental and operational parameters in real time [4]. The convergence of GIS and IoT creates a dynamic, data-rich ecosystem that enables farmers and rural enterprises to make informed decisions, reducing waste and increasing productivity [5].

Despite these technological advancements, the integration of GIS and IoT in agricultural contexts introduces a complex array of challenges related to data security, privacy, ethics, and governance [6]. Agricultural IoT networks are often deployed in geographically dispersed and resource-constrained environments, making them vulnerable to cyberattacks that can disrupt operations or compromise sensitive information [7]. Furthermore, the extensive collection of data, which may include personal, financial, and location-based details of farmers and rural communities, raises concerns about privacy infringement and data ownership [8]. Ethical considerations also emerge regarding the equitable distribution of benefits derived from data analytics [9], as well as the potential exclusion of smallholder farmers due to disparities in digital literacy and access [10].