The Internet of Things (IoT) influences nearly every aspect of modern life. It’s altering manufacturing processes, retail strategies, and individual purchasing habits. Much of the talk about the Internet of Things has focused on how it would revolutionize traditionally staid sectors like manufacturing, petrochemicals, and healthcare. Still, one industry has already experienced extensive adoption of IoT technology in agriculture.
Many of us are well-versed in the numerous initiatives to increase food production efficiency. As populations continue to expand, there has been a significant and persistent push to boost crop productivity from our limited arable land. A few of these initiatives have failed to win over the public.
Thanks to the proliferation of connected devices and cutting-edge technology, farmers are exploring novel approaches to increasing crop yields. Thankfully, these novel approaches are far less unsettling than harmful chemicals and invasive genetic engineering. Sensors and digital networking are helping farmers improve upon established methods for maximizing output while decreasing input needs.
Suppose it seems odd that farmers would be at the forefront of technological advancements, mostly in Agrigenomics. In that case, it helps to remember that their sector is, in many respects, a perfect proving ground for cutting-edge ideas.
Several compelling arguments support this conclusion:
Simple Implementation
In contrast to other sectors, sensor and linked device deployment on a farm may be simple and economical. Older technologies deeply ingrained in the production infrastructure need to be updated or replaced in a heavy industrial setting such as a factory or refinery.
It’s not easy to locate the correct items or collection of products to integrate into their current technical environment, and there are worries about downtime and lost income. On a typical farm, there is little requirement for rest, and outdated or mismatched technology is rarely a cause for concern.
Value Immediately
Because of the rapid pace at which value and return on investment may be achieved, agriculture has proven to be an ideal testing ground for Internet of Things technologies. Metrics currently in place for precision agriculture may be utilized more effectively, maximizing the well-documented benefits of these methods (knowing what types of crops to plant, when, when, and how much to water, etc.).
Constant worth
As long as they are used, the techniques that yield immediate benefits in agricultural IoT installations will also yield long-term benefits. Precision farming’s improved yield is not the only benefit of water conservation and waste reduction; there is also the added value from long-term sustainability.
Opportunities also exist to enhance the tools used by farmers. Information on the use and upkeep of a linked combine or tractor might be beneficial. This can also facilitate the optimization and automation of specific operations.
Worries about meeting the food needs of an expanding population are legitimate. Although controversial technology like GMOs has helped to improve food production, they have not been well received by the public. Many people are worried about the health effects of eating a GMO diet.
The good news is that we can achieve similarly high food production rates without changing the food itself but by altering the methods utilized to create it. Furthermore, this issue extends well beyond the realm of agriculture.
Biofuels and industrial raw materials are only two more ways plants find usefulness. Growers are having a beneficial influence on many other sectors by boosting production and decreasing resource use.
