Learn about smart agriculture and how technology can help you save money, boost output, protect the environment, and more!
Agriculture is an age-old profession that has always changed to meet the demands of society and the environment.
Today's rural producers face both new opportunities and problems due to the growing population, depletion of natural resources, climate change, and more market competition.
We must rely on technology to help us overcome problems since it can improve agriculture's intelligence, effectiveness, and sustainability.
However, what exactly is meant by smart agriculture? And for what purpose is it used? We will address these concerns in this post and provide some real-world examples of how technology may support daily operations and management on your farm.
What is smart agriculture?
Utilizing various digital breakthroughs and technologies in the agricultural industry, smart agriculture seeks to:
maximize resources,Â
boost output,Â
improve quality,Â
cut expenses;
to protect the environment and
enhance the value of goods.
Envisioned as the fourth industrial revolution brought to the countryside, Agriculture 4.0 encompasses smart agriculture as well as other related movements.
Technologies make it possible to gather, process, and analyze vast amounts of data in real-time on plant, machine, soil, and climate conditions.
This data can be utilized to generate strategic information for evidence-based decision-making, as well as to remotely and autonomously monitor and regulate agricultural operations.
What is smart agriculture for?
Smart agriculture can be utilized to address a number of issues and problems that modern agricultural producers confront, including:
Boost food production to fulfill the world's expanding needs;
Minimize the wastage of pesticides, fertilizers, energy, water, and other agricultural inputs;
Enhance the food's safety and quality;
Adjust to changing weather patterns and extreme weather phenomena such as frosts, floods, droughts, and insect infestations;
By providing end users with individualized and verifiable solutions, you may set yourself apart from the competition and add value to agricultural products.
What role does IoT play in agriculture?
The term "Internet of Things" (IoT) refers to a network of interconnected devices and sensors that are able to gather, send, and process data on soil, climate, plants, animals, and machine conditions in real time.
Remotely and automatically monitoring and controlling agricultural operations is possible with the use of this data.
For example, with IoT, it is possible to:
Put sensors in the ground to monitor the temperature, pH, humidity, and amount of accessible nutrients;
Install sensors in plants to identify illness, water stress, and developmental stage;
Install sensors on equipment to monitor maintenance, fuel usage, and functioning;
Attach sensors to a wireless network so that data can be sent to a local server or cloud platform;
Utilize an application on your computer, tablet, or mobile device to access data;
Set up notifications and automated functions, including heating, fertigation, fans, and irrigation, to turn on and off.
Benefits of IoT in Agriculture
Reduced use of energy, water, and agricultural inputs through supply-side management;
Improved quality and production through breeding and cultivation conditions optimization;
Automation of repetitive processes and loss reduction to lower labor and operating costs;
Access to current and accurate data leads to better management and decision-making.
What role does Artificial Intelligence (AI) play in agriculture?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the technology that allows machines and systems to carry out operations like pattern recognition, learning, reasoning, and decision-making that would typically need human intelligence.
Artificial intelligence (AI) can be used in agriculture to detect various plant species, illnesses, pests, and weeds by analyzing images taken by cameras, drones, or satellites.
In addition, AI can be utilized to forecast management recommendations, optimal operating practices, loss risk, and production potential.
For example, with AI it is possible:
Reduce the amount of agrochemicals used by using cameras mounted on agricultural equipment to identify plants and use pesticides selectively;
Utilize drones fitted with cameras to fly over crops and take detailed pictures that can be examined by AI systems to find irregularities and produce maps of variability;
Utilize satellites to capture widespread imagery, allowing artificial intelligence to process it to determine planted area, vegetation index, productivity, and crop output;
Create predictions and simulations regarding the behavior of plants, animals, and the climate by integrating data from sensors, photos, and other sources using AI-based mathematical models;
Utilize intelligent technologies to provide growers with individualized advice on when to sow, water, fertilize, harvest, and other tasks by combining historical data, current data, and projections.
Benefits of AI in Agriculture
enhanced precision and efficiency in agricultural operations through the use of prompt and suitable interventions;
better quality and productivity through tracking and enhancing livestock and agricultural performance;
lowering of risks and uncertainties through foreseeing issues and potential remedies;
enhanced decision-making and management as a result of having access to pertinent and trustworthy information.
These are a few technologies that can support the expansion of the agriculture industry while addressing all relevant concerns. This brings an end to this blog post; we will revisit this subject in a future piece discussing further agriculturally-related technologies. Check our blog section for a lot more interesting tech-related content.
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