Article Summary:
It has been proven that technology is changing the world of livestock management. New developments in the past 8-10 years have made huge improvements to the industry that make tracking and managing livestock much easier and data-driven. This technology can come in the form of nutritional technologies, genetics, and digital technology. Moreover, the need for innovation and technology is far more important in modern agriculture than it was before. The industry as a whole is facing huge challenges, from rising costs of supplies to a shortage of labor, and changes in consumer preferences for transparency and sustainability. There is increasing recognition from agriculture corporations that solutions are required for these challenges.
Now, the time has come for farmers that they no longer have to apply water or chemicals across entire fields. Instead, they can use the minimum quantities required and target very specific areas, or even treat individual plants differently. Furthermore, below you will find its impact globally and some effective research-based benefits of modern farming technology that any farmer can adapt to enhance their agriculture techniques.
NIFA’S (National Institute of Food and Agriculture) Impact
NIFA promotes agricultural technology and ensures that the nation’s agricultural industries are able to utilize it by supporting the following:
- Basic research and development in physical sciences, engineering, and computer sciences
- Development of agricultural devices, sensors, and systems
- Applied research that assesses how to employ technologies economically and with minimal disruption to existing practices
- Assistance and instruction to farmers on how to use new technologies
FUTURE OF FARMING TECHNOLOGY
The future of agricultural operations would be very different and advanced than they are now. Modern devices and precision agriculture will be more profitable, efficient, safe, and environmentally friendly. The use of robots would be an easy approach and farmers would be able to manage the agriculture process through different devices and automation machines. According to an FAO report, there is a campaign to end hunger by 2030 and accommodate the demographic pressure that will require an investment of around US$265 billion. However, this simply means that farming technology is something far beyond the idea of the human mind to manage the agriculture system, or else people would not be spending large sums of an amount on this ever-changing technology.
ADVANTAGES OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY
Digital agriculture can boost efficiency along with creating new markets and opportunities. However, it is the use of the latest up-to-date, and most advanced technologies, integrated into one system, to enable farmers and other stakeholders within the agriculture value chain to improve food production. This system offers new insights that increase the ability to make decisions and subsequently implement them. Furthermore, by collaborating across the value chain, we can further overcome digital barriers and challenges. These digital advancements are extremely useful for enhancing the food value chain.
MODERN ELECTRONICS IN AGRICULTURE
Use of modern electronics and material science to increment production, without further increasing fertilizer or pesticide supply. Electronics are used widely to:
- Collect and process all types of data
- Transfer information, make decisions
- Provide automation
- Control functions
Collecting agricultural field data can be labor-intensive, time-consuming, and costly. By automating sensor measurements, data can be collected much more frequently and reliably with less effort.
Moreover, some brands recommend using extensive electronics along with equipment such as sprayers and spreaders. This is not new for agricultural entrepreneurs, but the possibilities are growing with the development of intelligent systems. This allows the operator to control everything from the tractor cab, such as the right amount of liquid per hectare. Such devices include a speed transducer, pressure transducer, flow meter, or electro-valves.
FARM MONITORING
Cameras and DVRs are the first items that come to mind when thinking about monitoring. Viewing and recording alone is often not enough, although the recording is certainly useful in the case of incidents, such as poachers at ponds. It is also necessary to ensure adequate power supply and sufficient Internet connection. Sensors are also useful for security purposes. Proper and careful observation of areas around the house or warehouse supports can be implemented with PIR motion sensors and/or microwave sensors – depending on the planned placement. It can even be located above the entrance to the poultry house, to be linked with the alarm, for example, to inform the host of the arrival of the fox.
WEATHER DEVICES
Intelligent agriculture is now within human reach. There are many smart applications available to keep an eye on the weather conditions. You can use these applications on your Smartphone with accurate results. The following applications are essential:
- AccuWeather
- Dark Sky
- NOAA
A farmer can easily download applications and can track the weather conditions to make decisions for future strategies.
NANO-TECHNOLOGY
Nano-particles and nano-sensors have a developing role in agricultural advancements if used with proper caution. Nanoparticles can be used for getting higher yields and for crop protection. They can also aid in the rate-limiting process of gene delivery during the genetic improvement of crop species. Moreover, they further contribute to smart farming by growth monitoring, real-time detection of pests, and continuous monitoring of the local environment.
SATELLITE TECH
Improving efficiency and refining processes in agriculture means farmers can run less labor-intensive farms. For example, a Polish company uses satellite data to operate their software which helps farmers make decisions about the quantity of fertilizer to use on their fields, and how to allocate it. Traditionally, all parts of a field would be treated equally, but data from satellite images is showing the different levels of soil quality and mineral richness. This is good for farmers, who use fertilizer more efficiently and can reduce costs, but also well for the environment as fertilizers are being used rarely.
Duckweed (a water plant used to make medicine) could produce animal feed protein eight times faster than traditional soybean meal, making it a far more energy-efficient feed for livestock. It also uses considerably less water. Satellites are being used to measure moisture levels and ground heat to work out the best conditions in which to grow the duckweed. Reducing the area needed for livestock feed crops would reduce deforestation.
CONCLUSION
In the end, the use of electronic devices in agriculture is the need of the present era to get extra good production of the crops. A farmer should know the use of these devices to get the desired goal. They can purchase different modern devices according to their needs.
- The Dedicated Team of Pasture.io, 2022-08-18