Digital Agriculture Schemes in Kerala: Risk Analysis and Multi-Layered Security Framework

Year : 2026 | Volume : 14 | Issue : 01 | Page : 23 30
    By

    Sreekala K.M.,

  • Thara Chakkingal,

  1. Assistant Professor, Department of Management, Padmashree Institute of Management and Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
  2. Assistant Professor, Department of Management, Thakur Institute of Management Studies, Career Development and Research, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Kerala’s agricultural sector is undergoing rapid digital transformation, driven by initiatives such as the e-Krishi platform and the growing adoption of Internet of Things (IoT)–enabled precision farming technologies. While these developments promise improved productivity, transparency, and data-driven decision-making, they also introduce significant cybersecurity and data governance challenges that cannot be overlooked. This paper critically examines the emerging security, privacy, and operational risks associated with the digitization of agricultural services in Kerala. Attention is given to the vulnerability of data integrity, the risks arising from low levels of digital literacy among farmers, and the often-underestimated threat of insider misuse within digital systems. Through a structured assessment, the study systematically identifies and ranks key security and operational threats that could undermine the reliability and trustworthiness of digital agriculture platforms. If dynamic agricultural data remains inadequately protected, or if farmers lack meaningful control over how their data is collected, shared, and used, the long-term growth of the sector may be compromised, and public trust significantly eroded. To address these concerns, the paper proposes a novel multi-layered security and data governance framework (M-LSF) tailored for resource-constrained environments. The framework integrates a strong policy foundation centered on farmer data sovereignty with practical, cost-effective technological safeguards. These include lightweight cryptographic mechanisms, role-based access controls, and artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML) driven anomaly detection to identify suspicious activities in real time. By combining governance principles with advanced yet scalable security controls, the M-LSF aims to safeguard farmer privacy, protect sensitive agricultural data, and strengthen institutional resilience, thereby enabling Kerala to pursue sustainable and trustworthy digital agriculture.

Keywords: Cybersecurity in AgTech, data governance, digital agriculture, farmer data sovereignty, IoT security, risk management

[This article belongs to Journal Of Network security ]

How to cite this article:
Sreekala K.M., Thara Chakkingal. Digital Agriculture Schemes in Kerala: Risk Analysis and Multi-Layered Security Framework. Journal Of Network security. 2026; 14(01):23-30.
How to cite this URL:
Sreekala K.M., Thara Chakkingal. Digital Agriculture Schemes in Kerala: Risk Analysis and Multi-Layered Security Framework. Journal Of Network security. 2026; 14(01):23-30. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jons/article=2026/view=237457


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Regular Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 14
Issue 01
Received 22/12/2025
Accepted 07/01/2026
Published 20/02/2026
Publication Time 60 Days
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