Agriculture is one of the oldest world industries, and it underwent several modifications through the years to provide the best results to consumers. Although agricultural land has decreased in the last years as land is continuously being used for production, the trend of stagnant productivity growth affected the industry.
To respond to this issue and supply the world’s needs, agriculture has adopted technology more than ever. Labor, machinery, farm structures, and other inputs need to be organized and improved with the right technological improvements. Given that nearly 10% of people globally are affected by world hunger, despite the rise of consumerism in regard to food, agriculture needs to develop in such a way to face the world’s needs.
The good news is that these digital tools and technologies are rising in production, and more entrepreneurs are approaching progress. Here are some examples of the right appliances and mechanisms that can change the world.
Maximized pollination
Without honey bees, the world would probably collapse as they not only pollinate a considerable amount of money worth in crops worldwide but also support the production of various foods, which sustain our lives. Unfortunately, chemical pesticides are affecting bees’ health and production, for which a solution is needed.
To maximize pollination and maintain healthy food production, an emerging technology is using a natural pollination process of commercially reared bees that provides a healthy environment for bees and humans. Highly targeting pests and managing diseases with technological solutions is the future of a better world.
Pollination has many benefits in agriculture, but the environment is the most affected. If pollination is done currently, the air gets clean because plants produce breathable oxygen, water is purified, and the soil is held in place.
Real-time in-situ measurements of plants
Along with proper pollination, plants also need to be managed appropriately and taken care of. From fruit sorting, foliage measurements, and grain analysis, technological solutions are required to maximize productivity and minimize carbon impact on the environment. Luckily, using a Spectrometer has become more common among agriculture businesses as they’re instruments that can be integrated with other demanding applications.
In agriculture and food, Spectroscopy is highly beneficial for measuring sugar in fruits or the level of greenhouse environments. Such aspects help maintain plant health and apply fertilizers efficiently without affecting the crops.
With Spectrometers, workers can also measure the frequency of the substances from plants that require analysis. As there are many models of Spectrometers, some of them are used for more specialized tasks, such as analyzing the milk content for proteins and fat. This non-destructive approach doesn’t require technical personnel or laboratory equipment compared to traditional methods.
Indoor vertical farming
Indoor farming has become a better approach for localizing food so that people can access fresh and qualitative products more efficiently. Leveraging a controlled environment and using resourceful, smart technology is more profitable for both farmers and companies, which is why indoor farms will become a more accessible option than greenhouses.
Growing crops vertically maximizes space in a controlled environment that allows for production to be available all year round. Indoor vertical farming is also a sustainable practice that can reduce food waste and enhance resource management. Technology for lighting, temperature, and humidity regulation is used to grow multiple types of produce to make the most out of crops in rows.
Compared to traditional farming, indoor vertical farming doesn’t require massive inputs of fertilizers to maintain the soil’s health. At the same time, plants are not that vulnerable to pests and diseases since they’re protected from adverse weather conditions.
Reduced damage to the soil
The loss of fertile soil occurred due to nutrient depletion and desertification. At the same time, erosion, deforestation, and urbanization affect the soil’s structure, eventually harming the productivity of plants growing.
But some latest technologies, such as real-time kinematic applications, can help improve the soil’s quality. This involved less usage of machinery unconstrained across the land, which is known to compromise drainage and friability.
Traditional GPS systems are not enough to maintain a controlled traffic system. To solve that, RTK technology should provide centimeter-level accuracy so farmers can map their fields more efficiently. These devices transmit the correct positioning information by radio signal, which can help boost soil health and productivity.
Better water management
In agriculture, water is vital. However, due to droughts and poor water management, the industry is losing this essential element and is slowing down production. A sustainable water management approach is vital for healthy ecosystems, which is why new technologies have been involved in this process.
Some regions need these tools more than others, given that drylands have insufficient rainfall, which makes them inarable. Although these areas can be found all over the world, many of these regions are found in Africa and Asia, where better water management is necessary. But most farmers are still irrigating their fields in an unsustainable way, and it doesn’t even provide the required water nutrition for the crops.
To solve this problem, some companies have introduced micro drip irrigation systems into the sector to allow plants to get the right amount of water by slowly dripping to plants’ roots, which benefits the environment for the plants to thrive. With the help of this device, farmers can reduce water usage by up to 50% and also improve crop quality. On top of that, these microdevices can help avoid overwatering plants, which affects the growth of plants, while also minimizing the excess fertilizers usually present in streams and lakes.
Bottom line
Agriculture needs more technological developments because farmers must be provided with all the necessary tools to improve their produce. At the same time, this sector needs more digital tools to increase crop productivity as well as reduce the impact on natural ecosystems. This industry needs to become more productive and sustainable to be able to support everyone’s needs and demands. Luckily, digital tools for pollination, real-time plant measurement, as well as proper water management are becoming the norm in which farmers will continue their activity.
