How Technology Helps to Improve Agriculture Sustainability
Introduction:
Farms and agricultural fields operate differently today than a decade ago, mainly because of advanced technology. Modern farms use Artificial Intelligence (AI), sensors, and GPS systems to enhance agricultural operations.
These systems and devices allow agricultural businesses to be more productive, profitable, efficient, and eco-friendly.
Agriculture Drones
Drones have been used in many fields, and nowadays, drone technology has been implemented in the agricultural sector as well.
The use of agriculture drones in the farming sector has become increasingly influential. It has helped many farmers and agricultural business executives execute their plans and operations in a streamlined way.
The benefits of agriculture drones have become more apparent to farmers nowadays, who use them to survey, spray, and map their agricultural fields. These drones are attached with sensors that help keep track of crops’ conditions, checking whether or not they irrigation or any spray.
The high-resolution data provided by drones can be used to assess the fertility and growth of crops. This allows farmers to accurately apply fertilizers and sprinkles to your crops to increase yields and decrease wastage of resources.
Soil Moisture Sensors
Soil moisture sensors are devices designed to estimate the amount of water content present in the soil. This allows farmers to irrigate the crops sensibly and smartly by scheduling the supply and distribution of water efficiently.
Overwatering some crops may kill them, whereas underwatering others can make the plant wilt and die. Due to soil moisture sensors, farmers will know when to water the farm and how much water would be necessary. This helps keep your crops perfectly healthy and also conserves water.
There are three main types of soil moisture sensors: ground, aerial, and satellite. Ground sensors are installed in the soil that monitors the root zone. Aerial sensors retrieve data using UAVs. These sensors are not usually used as they are a bit ineffective. Lastly, satellite sensors estimate the soil condition and moisture from space. It uses multiple technologies that help satellites assess soil moisture.
Processing Technology
Processing technology primarily focuses on formulating and executing complex processes. In the agricultural sector, one of the processes is harvesting. It is one of the processes in farming that requires a lot of time and manual labor. For this reason, it is recommended to use tractors and threshers to aid you in this processing of harvesting. These tractors are designed explicitly for specific crops and can harvest the field at a rapid pace.
If you cannot afford to buy a thresher or a tractor, you can rent one and use it to harvest your crops. This way, less capital will be invested, which can be spent on other technologies and assets.
Processing technology has also enabled Farm Automation, also known as Smart Farming. Farm Automation makes farming processes much more efficient and more manageable. Various technological companies provide facilities like robotic harvesters, seeding robots, and automatic irrigation or watering. Through these technical facilities, you can automate your operations and focus on enhancing your agricultural business.
Livestock GPS Trackers
Livestock can be challenging to handle as they often wander off the fields. Occasionally, they go as far as jumping off the fence into neighboring areas, which can be a problem. In such situations, tracking your livestock can seem daunting. However, livestock GPS trackers allow you to track all your livestock animals. You can track all your livestock animals in real-time without having to fret about losing them.
This technology includes sensors devices, such as chips, collars, or ear tags, that will be attached to the livestock animals. Through these sensor devices, you will be able to track your livestock and get them back to the herd faster and easier. The GPS tracker will regularly send a message or an email to your device, which will let you know about the whereabouts of your animals. In addition to that, it can also track the physical conditions of livestock animals. For instance, it can confirm if one of your animals is physically hurt or is giving birth.
Tracking your livestock animals with GPS tracking systems also allows you to find any potential diseases in the animals and its cause. It will send you alert messages if any animal is sick. This saves both time and money as you will not have to hire veterinarians.
Farm Security Cameras
Security is crucial for farms, especially large-scale agricultural farms, which are at risk of robberies. Installing security cameras all around your agricultural farm will allow you to monitor every nook and cranny of your farm. Furthermore, you can install electric fences and security cameras on them to ensure the safety of your farm. Thus, you will be able to observe trespassers or potential robbers.
In addition to that, placing security cameras strategically around your agricultural property will capture images of anyone trying to enter your farm illegally. This will help you guarantee that only authorized workers can enter the farm.
Moreover, you can protect your livestock animals and other valuable assets, such as equipment and farming vehicles that are vulnerable to thefts. Cameras in your farmyards will keep an eye on stables and pens to secure livestock animals, especially rare-brood animals.
Unmanned Tech
An unmanned tech is an online retail store where you can buy all kinds of small bits and things to complete your projects. You can make the best use of unmanned tech by purchasing machinery and other small equipment to carry out your agricultural operations and projects.
Conclusion
There are many other ways as well in which modern-day technology has revolutionized the agricultural industry. All of these technological advancements are crucial for every agriculturist to ensure high yields and maximum profitability.
Though each agricultural business is different, you will have to consider factors and research to know which technological asset is best for you. All in all, investment in technology for your agricultural business is totally worth it.
