Technology development affects every aspect of life, including agriculture. While those who have never been in touch with farming think people are still investing too much labor into manual agriculture, the truth is different. Today’s farmers use various machines to ease their jobs and revolutionize the way we grow food.
So, you shouldn’t be surprised by the fact that there are drones and smart tractors, as well as companies like TEXHA that offer advanced equipment for farming. These machines can optimize agriculture operations and reduce the overall environmental impact.
So, here in this article, we’ll talk more about the advancements, benefits, and efficient farming, while addressing the challenges that come with the technology implementation in agriculture.
The Benefits of Technological Advancements in Agriculture
Embracing technologies in agriculture means that people are moving from traditional manual work to more advanced solutions that bring multiple benefits to the farmers. Additionally, they can save money on labor, with no need to hire someone to help them out.
While there are agronomic who prefer the traditional way of crop production, those who produce food for larger masses should adopt the technology because:
- It increases their productivity while optimizing the amount of resources spent
- Improved sustainability, as technologies are often based on renewable energy sources
- Labor efficiency, because automation removes the burden of manual labor, making farming a more attractive idea for younger people
- Post-harvest food management to reduce waste and ease the storage and transportation
- Easy control over the production and profit
- An option to make your farming job a business for your family
- Moving on from the mindset that agriculture is for poor environments only
- Changing the way you understand where the food comes from and how it gets to your plate
Additionally, the farmers have more control over the whole process while managing a larger volume of products. Surely, these benefits don’t only apply to crops but also to farming.
Advanced machines and technologies can be used to adjust the temperatures on the farm, manage the waste, and collect the goods in a matter of minutes. For example, in poultry farms, an automated device can track unusual behaviors so the owner and veterinarian can act before something worse happens.
What Technology to Embrace?
Source: grist.org
In the article title, we mentioned drones and smart tractors, but there is more to learn and accept in modern agriculture.
Drones that fly over a farm can be your eyes from the sky. Equipped with sensors and cameras, they provide a nice view over the field, so you can easily identify eventual pest infestations or damages that need to be immediately managed.
Smart tractors, on the other hand, use GPS and sensors to navigate through the field while performing planting, weeding, and harvesting. This way, the process is faster and more optimal. You can even use smart tractors to fertilize crops or apply pesticides with no risk of overuse. That way, these tractors minimize the environmental impact and improve the overall agriculture performance.
Robotics is another way to optimize the processes of growing, harvesting, and packing goods. It’s a widely embraced concept implemented on various agriculture machines, including those for watering and fertilizing.
Tracking technologies let the farmers control the distribution of the food from the farm to the plate. This way, they prevent food fraud and protect people from consuming unsafe products.
The implementation of IoT sensors can help with control over crop health, soil quality, temperature, and supplementation levels. Based on that data, you can automate so many agricultural processes and manage production wisely.
Who Should Embrace Modern Farming?
As you suppose, modern farming technologies aren’t for everyone. Farmers who produce food for themselves only and for their families don’t have a reason to invest money in machines for such a limited production. So, if you’re one of them, you shouldn’t feel an urge to modernize the production. Smaller farms and fields are easier to control, and you don’t need a drone to check what’s happening in front of your eyes.
But if you have a larger piece of land and you plan on running an agriculture business, you should plan on machine investments wisely. While everyone is allowed to buy and invest in technologies, they also need to be careful if the expense matches the eventual profit from farming.
Also, you must invest with a plan. You don’t really need drone technology if you only produce dairy, eggs, or meat. On the other hand, with durable crops, you don’t need automated temperature adjustment. Just because some machines are modern doesn’t mean you should invest in them, so be wise and plan the next step properly.
The Challenge ─ Overcoming Traditional Mindsets
Technology is transforming our lives rapidly, and agriculture is not an exception. Still, there are farmers who have a hard time embracing this news, and they rely on things they know best. So, if agriculture runs in your family for decades, your parents or grandparents may not be aware of the potential these modern methods bring. So, it’s up to you to help them understand that.
Additionally, these traditional farmers should be encouraged to attend education sessions and training so they can see there is nothing bad or wrong with drones and smart tractors. Make sure they understand the benefits, with a focus on increased productivity, sustainability, and profitability. Traditional farmers need proof it’s worth moving to modern technologies so they can easily accept the change.
Source: oamk.fi
Final Thoughts
The huge role technology has over the agriculture processes is undeniable. Today, farmers can easily manage large amounts of products while making sure the environmental impact is reduced. They can ensure the needed conditions for increased production are always met, with no risk of damages in the long run.
There are many challenges to overcome, but if we automate and optimize the most demanding processes in farming, the result will be huge. From quality food to younger people who are more interested in this field, technology surely plays an essential role in that the current agriculture system can produce enough food for people worldwide.
