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Precision Agriculture: Bringing Farming and Technology Together

No matter how you look at it, farming is hard work. From soil preparation to sowing and harvesting, a complex and comprehensive range of procedures must be followed to turn a seed into a viable plant. Not to mention the absolute uncertainty that comes with factors such as climate, disease, pests and water availability, all of which can drastically affect the final outcome. Considering the amount of time and effort put into producing crops, therefore, it simply makes sense to ensure that the maximum output is achieved from every harvest and that potential risks are reduced to a minimum.

Farming may not be immediately associated with the latest advances in technology due to its mostly rural setting, but in fact, the combination of traditional farming practices with smart systems is being increasingly adopted by farms around the world, a concept known as precision agriculture.

Using technology such as GPS, IoT, AI and drones, farmers can eliminate a significant amount of risk and enhance their efficiency, productivity and sustainability. Below are some examples of the most prominent systems which have been incorporated into precision agriculture and the benefits they provide:

GPS and GIS Technologies: The advent of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) technology in the 1980s 1 kickstarted precision agriculture, allowing farmers to navigate fields with a level of accuracy that was unprecedented. Today, GPS is often used in tandem with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), as GPS enables precise mapping and analysis due to its ability to pinpoint exact locations, while GIS can store, analyse and display this information graphically to create a decision support system for farmers. Additionally, GPS can be used to organise farms, guide tractors and machinery when visibility is poor, and identify problem areas that require greater attention.

Variable Rate Technology (VRT): VRT combines farm equipment, GIS and GPS technology and control mechanisms to apply fertilisers, seeds, pesticides and water at different rates depending on the needs of that particular area. Using the information provided by GPS and GIS technology, VRT-enabled equipment automatically distributes its cargo in the exact location and quantity that is required. For instance, a VRT-enabled tractor could be used to plant multiple seed types in different areas in a single journey.

Automation and Robotics: The UK’s farming industry is in the grip of a labour shortage, with a steady decline in agricultural workers since the year 2000 2. Additionally, a survey by the National Farmers’ Union showed that in the first half of 2022, over £22 million 3 of fruit and vegetables were left to rot due to workforce shortages.

However, the advance of smart technology, such as self-driving tractors and robotic harvesters, could be the solution to this crisis, as automation is increasingly being utilised in farming to reduce labour costs and health and safety risks as well as increase the accuracy and efficiency of various tasks. Using computer vision and GPS technology, these smart machines can now navigate fields, plant, weed and harvest with ease. The future of robotics looks promising too, as the global market for agricultural robots is expected to reach $20.6 billion by 2025, a compound annual growth rate of 22.5% from 2020 4.

AI, IoT and Remote Sensors: With Artificial Intelligence (AI) dominating technology trends in nearly every industry, it is no surprise that there are numerous applications for it in agriculture as well. By using sensing technologies like remote sensors, soil sensors, GPS and Internet of Things (IOT) devices, AI can collect and analyse vast quantities of data, generating useful insights and predictions for farmers to make informed decisions regarding irrigation, pest control, crop management and more. Additionally, AI is able to perform automated tasks through machines such as drones, to remotely apply inputs such as fertiliser and pesticides in the areas where they are needed. This precision benefits the farmer by saving time and resources, and also benefits the environment by reducing chemical waste and soil damage.

Challenges and Possibilities for Precision Agriculture
Although it is an exciting concept, precision agriculture still faces several challenges that limit the number of farms that can use it to their advantage. Understandably, the initial cost of implementing these advanced technologies is considerable, and even though it should be seen as a long-term investment, significant capital is required to purchase the equipment and train workers on the best ways to use them.

Currently, precision technology requires users to have fairly extensive knowledge of computers and the necessary software in order to manage the equipment effectively. Training and upskilling will be needed, therefore, to incorporate these systems into farming practices.

The ideal solution for these challenges is for future advancements in precision agriculture to focus on making these technologies more accessible and user-friendly, which will encourage those in the industry to make the switch. Additionally, policymakers should subsidise many of the technologies to reduce operational expenses for farmers and allow them to adopt precision agriculture practices without the financial risk.

Author: Shirley Carruthers - Content Creator at ParkerSteel

References
IJABBR Article
Independent Review (UK Government)
NFU Online - Fruit and Veg Wastage
Markets and Markets - Agricultural Robot Market

First published on 30/01/24

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