The agricultural sector is evolving thanks to new technology necessitated by a growing global population and the pressures of climate change.
The United Nations predicts a global population of 9.7 billion by 2050.
The agricultural sector must figure out a way to meet the demands of that expanding population. These challenges are being offset by advancing technologies that are helping farmers increase productivity while also reducing their ecological impact. Technological advancements are cultivating innovation within the agricultural sector, and these are some of the options farmers are exploring.
• The internet of things (IoT): IoT is a vast network of objects embedded with sensors, software and connectivity. Farm operations can use low-cost, high-durability sensors deployed across fields to monitor soil moisture, temperature and nutrient levels in real time. These sensors allow for “variable rate application” of water and fertilizers, ensuring resources are directed only where they are needed. A report by Grand View Research says the smart agriculture market is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 10.8 percent through 2030.
• Robotics and automation: Labor shortages have led to a growing reliance on robotics and autonomous machinery to handle farm work. Modern tractors can be equipped with GPS and LiDAR (light detection and ranging) systems to operate autonomously. Optimized pathfinding helps to reduce soil compaction and more. Specialized robots are capable of selective harvesting, says the Journal of Field Robotics. Fruit pickers can evaluate the ripeness of produce before picking it, minimizing waste. Unmanned aerial vehicles or drones can offer multispectral imagery that enables farmers to identify crop stress before it is visible to people.
• Biotechnology: Farming increasingly is being developed in the lab before crops even sprout in the fields. Biotechnology is a pillar of agricultural evolution. Gene-editing tools like CRISPR-Cas9 can develop crop varieties that are more resilient to saline soil conditions and drought. Research published in Nature Communications says that bio-engineered crops have the potential to increase yields by up to 20 percent, even in suboptimal environments. This cuts down the time required to create traits that help plants thrive.
• Vertical farming: Vertical farming enables facilities to produce more food per square foot than traditional farming, according to the Association for Vertical Farming. When coupling this with Controlled Environment Agriculture, which employs hydroponic or aeroponic systems, facilities have greater control over conditions that can affect food sources. The utilization of different technologies across the agricultural sector is driving innovation and production.
