7 Ways Technology is Impacting the Ag Industry [VIEWPOINT]

Technology has impacted businesses across all sectors. The agriculture industry is also reaping its benefits. Farmers are increasingly relying on automation, GPS technology and data. Modern technology in agriculture is helping farmers monitor their crops and livestock. It is providing them accurate data that help in making informed farming decisions. Thanks to modern technology, the future of farming is looking bright.

Digital Marketplace

Technology has provided farmers with a digital marketplace. You can lease equipment for a cheaper price and connect with local customers. You can even pool together for better insurance. The digital marketplace also allows you to sell imperfect but edible products, and find loans to buy equipment like agricultural scales and livestock scales.

Mobile Technology

Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) are an important part of farming. Traditionally, farmers used paper and pencil to do this. But now, they can be done using tablets and smartphones.

Mobile technology helps farmers gather important agricultural data. It is a cost-efficient and easiest way to collect real-time information. Farmers can even send updates to their workforce with new assignments at any time, from any place.

RFID

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) can be used to track cattle and crop shipment. You can use tags equipped with RFID to keep track of every single animal on a daily basis. These tags can also be used to monitor their health and provide health history of each animal.

You can also use RFID and different security technologies to track and secure crop shipments. They are especially useful for tracking organic crops that are certified free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Since organic and non-GMO foods are increasing in demand, there will be a rise in counterfeit or impure crops.

You can reduce the risk of counterfeiting and impure food shipment by using technology for security tagging.

Big Data Analytics

Big Data analytics is a game-changer in the agricultural sector. You can use Big Data to lower costs, increase efficiency and yields. You can gather data from multiple sources to increase crop efficiency. Implementing farm management software allows you to collect a lot of information about crop yields, soil mapping, fertilizer application and weather patterns. You can then use this data to determine what, where and when to plant a certain crop.

You can use Big Data to learn about animal health too. By monitoring the animal’s body temperature, pulse, tissue sensitivity and location using a GPS tracker, you can tell when it is ready for breeding.

Cloud Computing

All the Big Data that is gathered from mobile devices and wireless technology can be stored in the cloud. You can use cloud computing to access shared pools of systems and resources over the Internet. It gives you complete access to important information from any place, at any time.

Cloud technology can also be used to aggregate data from tools like satellite images, soil sensors and weather stations. This data can be used to make better decisions about managing your crop. You can use cloud computing to store crop and farm-related data in one place.

Water Management

Agriculture accounts for almost 70 percent of all freshwater use on a global scale. And of this, sixty percent is wasted. Water wastage can be reduced by using smart systems like wireless water sensors. They can help you conserve water and increase yield. You can accumulate data from these water sensors and analyze it to plan future water usage and crop plantation.

It would be possible for you to remotely control water pumps using smart systems. They can even warn you about possible water leaks and equipment failure.

Farm Management Software

This helps in managing your farm workforce more efficiently and improve effectiveness across the farm chain. Farm management software includes mobile task management and data integration. These can help you measure machine operations and production. You can use farm management software to cover all the agricultural needs in a fully integrated manner.

You can collect and store relevant data in the cloud using the software. This data can, in turn, help in optimizing production and operation management.

Agriculture technology has changed how farmers carry out farming activities. It is becoming an integral part of farm operations. Farmers must team up with integration partners who can design and maintain the IT systems.