Field Crop 2024, Vol.7, No.1, 17-26 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/fc 21 While mechanized harvesting improves the efficiency of sugarcane production, it also creates higher energy demands. Future research and technology development need to find a balance between improving energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact to achieve sustainable development of the sugarcane farming industry (Filho et al., 2020). In addition, with the development and application of renewable energy technologies, it will be possible to further reduce the carbon footprint and environmental impact of mechanized sugarcane harvesting by using cleaner energy in the future. 4 Social Impact Analysis 4.1 Impact on employment and labor market When analyzing the impact of mechanized sugarcane harvesting on employment and the labor market, the broad socioeconomic effects of this change must be taken into account. The spread of mechanized harvesting has significantly reduced the need for traditional manual labor, which has led to a reduction in employment opportunities in rural areas. While this can help reduce the physical burden on the workforce and increase productivity, it can also put workers who fail to transition in time at risk of losing their jobs. In Brazil, mechanization of the sugar cane industry has had profound effects on the labor market. On the one hand, mechanized harvesting reduces reliance on seasonal agricultural workers, who typically perform strenuous manual labor during the harvest season. Mechanization has changed the nature of this labor-intensive operation by reducing the amount of labor required for harvesting. On the other hand, the promotion of mechanized harvesting has also spawned new technology and maintenance-related employment opportunities. These positions require higher skills and technical training, thus promoting the skills upgrade of the local labor market (Cherubin et al., 2021). In addition, the impact of mechanized harvesting on small-scale farmers also deserves attention. In many developing countries, small-scale farmers may not be able to afford expensive mechanized equipment, limiting their ability to increase productivity. Therefore, while mechanized harvesting brings economic benefits to large-scale cropping enterprises, for small-scale farmers it may exacerbate inequalities in agricultural production. Mechanization of sugarcane harvesting is a double-edged sword. It can not only improve production efficiency and crop quality, but may also lead to a reduction in employment opportunities for traditional agricultural workers, which will have a significant impact on the labor market structure. Therefore, policymakers should take these socioeconomic factors into consideration when promoting mechanization technologies and find balanced strategies to promote sustainable development for all agricultural practitioners. 4.2 Technology acceptance and educational needs In the process of mechanization of sugarcane harvesting, technology acceptance and educational needs are key factors in driving the success of this change. As sugarcane agriculture transitions from traditional manual harvesting to highly mechanized operations, there is a need for extensive technical training and educational support. Technology acceptance measures the ability and willingness of farmers and agricultural workers to adapt to new technologies. In many developing countries, especially those that have traditionally relied on manual harvesting, although mechanization has brought significant improvements in efficiency, technology acceptance has been limited due to factors including distrust of new technologies, persistence in old habits, and Concerns about future employment opportunities. Therefore, improving technology acceptance is not just about providing machinery, but more importantly, enhancing farmers' confidence and understanding of technology through education and training (Shaheb et al., 2021). Educational needs played a central role in the mechanization process. As harvesting technology increases in complexity, operating mechanized equipment properly requires appropriate skills and knowledge. This includes routine maintenance of machinery, troubleshooting and repair skills, as well as the ability to optimize harvesting operations to maximize yield and efficiency. In addition, education should also cover the safe use of machinery to ensure that operator safety is not compromised.
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