Use Of Technology In Agriculture in 2023

Introduction

Throughout recent years, the utilization of technology in agriculture has been developing quickly, changing the manner in which ranchers work and assisting with working on the quality and amount of agrarian creation. With the total population increasing at a dramatic rate, it has become fundamental to investigate new and inventive approaches to delivering more food utilizing less recourse, and innovation has arisen as a key arrangement.

Technology Used In Agriculture

1. Biotechnology

• Biotechnology includes the utilization of living creatures, like microorganisms and plants, to foster new farming items and cycles.
• For instance, hereditary designing has been utilized to foster harvests that are impervious to vermin and infections, lessening the requirement for hurtful pesticides and herbicides.
• Biotechnology has likewise been utilized to foster harvests with worked on wholesome substances, for example, brilliant rice, which is plentiful in Vitamin A and can assist with combating hunger.

2. Drones

• The utilization of drones in agriculture will continue to grow and evolve as producers harness this very powerful technology in various aspects of their production.
• Drones equipped with sensors can monitor crop health, assess soil conditions, and detect diseases.
• Drones can carry a wide array of sensors and cameras that can continually monitor crop-growing conditions.
• Drones can help deliver fertilizer, pesticides, and even water to crops, allowing farmers to increase efficiency and reduce costs.

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3. Robotics

• Robotics is one more significant improvement in horticultural innovation.
• Robots can perform undertakings like planting, weeding, and collecting.
• Robots now milk cows, pick strawberries, and cut up carcasses in processing plants.
• This helps reduce labor costs and allows farmers to work more efficiently. Robotics also helps cut down on human error, which can lead to crop failure.
• Robotics in farming represents a global market of over $5 billion and is projected to double in the next five years.

4. Sensors

• Sensor advances accessible today screen each part of farming, from airborne symbolism to dairy cattle development to miniature environment information assortment to telling makers the exact pH level of the dirt.
• The utilization of sensor innovation is simply starting to expose what’s underneath and will keep on giving makers more exact information to improve, and more educated choices, guaranteeing their creation stays reasonable.
• The ability to track products and live animals, detect health issues, and evaluate the environment inside the farm or the uptake of moisture from the soil in real time is of huge value in addressing the major challenges of climate/sustainability, animal welfare, and tracking in the food supply chain.

5. Irrigation Management

• Irrigation is a basic piece of food creation, and makers keep on searching for ways of making the very best use – and least sum – of water. Innovation has gained huge ground in making water system rehearses more effective and more economical.
• Automated irrigation systems, water system proposals, and sensor-based administration frameworks assist with saving water and advancing harvest yields.
• Remote observing and control frameworks empower ranchers to acquire better control and deceivability over the tasks of their water system frameworks and to pursue better choices about water, substance, and electrical use.

6. Fleet Management

• High-level telemetry frameworks and GPS have positively affected fleet management in agriculture.
• The most fundamental frameworks can find hardware being used. Further developed frameworks can give exact data, including motor speed, fuel use, and forthcoming upkeep, and give quick alarms.
• The goal, ultimately, is to make the most efficient use of equipment.

7. Climate Monitoring

• Climate monitoring plays a vital role in agriculture because it helps farmers make informed decisions about their crops and land management practices.
• Climate monitoring involves the collection and analysis of data related to various climate parameters, such as temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation.
• Climate monitoring also helps farmers anticipate and prepare for extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, or heat waves, which can have a significant impact on crop yields.

8. Pets and Disease Management

• Integrated pest management systems, drone technology, and climate monitoring can aid in the management of pests and diseases that affect crops.
• By monitoring weather patterns and identifying potential outbreaks of pests or diseases, farmers can take preventative measures such as adjusting their crop rotations or applying pesticides.
• Proper pest and disease management can help reduce the use of chemical pesticides, which can be harmful to the environment and human health.
• Pests and diseases can also affect the quality of the produce. By managing pests and diseases effectively, farmers can ensure that their crops are of high quality and meet market standards.
• Some pests and diseases can pose a threat to human health. Effective pest and disease management can help to ensure that the product is safe for consumption.

Importance Of Technology In Agriculture

Technology plays a crucial role in modern agriculture, which is essential for feeding the growing global population. Here are some of the reasons why technology is so important in agriculture.

1. Increased Efficiency

Technology has made farming more efficient, allowing farmers to produce more food using fewer resources. With precision farming, farmers can make informed decisions about planting, fertilizing, and harvesting crops, resulting in significant improvements in yield and quality.

2. Improved Sustainability

Technology has also played a key role in making agriculture more sustainable. Technology has helped to reduce the impact of agriculture on the environment by reducing waste and conserving resources. For example, drip irrigation systems and soil moisture sensors can help farmers to use water more efficiently, while biotechnology can help to reduce the use of harmful pesticides and herbicides.

3. Increased Profitability

Technology has also helped farmers to increase their profits by reducing costs and improving the quality of their products. For example, automated irrigation systems can help to reduce labor costs, while biotechnology can help to produce crops with better nutritional content, which can command higher prices.

4. Better Food Safety

 Technology has enabled farmers to produce safer and healthier food by improving food safety and traceability. For example, RFID tags, GPS tracking, and other technologies can help to track produce from the farm to the table, ensuring that it is safe and free from contaminants.

5. Increased Productivity

Technology has made farming more efficient, allowing farmers to produce more food with fewer resources. For example, precision agriculture uses technology such as sensors, GPS, and drones to collect data on soil conditions, weather patterns, and crop growth. This information can be used to optimize planting and harvesting, resulting in higher yields and less waste.

6. Improved Livelihoods

Technology has also helped to improve the livelihoods of farmers by providing them with access to new markets and better prices for their products. With e-commerce platforms and other digital tools, small-scale farmers can sell their products to a global audience, which helps to increase their incomes and improve their standard of living.

Challenges Faced In The Use Of Technology In Agriculture

1. High Cost

• One of the biggest challenges in implementing technology in agriculture is the high cost of equipment and software. Many farmers, especially small-scale farmers, may not have the financial resources to invest in expensive technology.
• Agricultural technology can be expensive, and many farmers may not have the financial resources to invest in it. Additionally, ongoing maintenance and updates can also be costly.

2. Resistance to Change

• A few farmers might be impervious to innovations and may like to stay with customary strategies for cultivating, which can be a boundary to reception.
• At last, a few ranchers might be impervious to change and may favor customary cultivating techniques. It is essential to instruct farmers on the advantages of innovation and how it can assist with expanding efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity.

3. Lack of Knowledge

• Another challenge is the lack of technical knowledge among farmers to operate and maintain new technologies. Farmers need to be first trained on how to use and maintain the technology effectively.
• Not all farmers have access to the necessary technology, such as high-speed internet, which is necessary for many modern agricultural tools and practices.

4. Data Management

• With the increasing use of technology in agriculture, there is a need for proper data management to ensure that data is collected, analyzed, and used effectively. Farmers need to be trained on how to collect and manage data to make informed decisions.
• The collection and use of data in agriculture can raise privacy and security concerns, particularly when it comes to sensitive information such as crop yields and financial data.

5. Poor Infrastructure

• Deficient infrastructure, such as poor internet connectivity and power supply, can limit the adoption and implementation of technology in agriculture.
• These issues should be addressed to guarantee far reaching reception of innovation.

Conclusion

Technology in agriculture has transformed the way farmers work and has the potential to help feed the growing global population sustainably. Technology is essential for modern agriculture, enabling farmers to produce more food using fewer resources, while also improving the sustainability, profitability, and safety of agricultural production. With the world’s population growing at an exponential rate, technology will play an increasingly critical role in feeding the world’s population sustainably. It is important to invest in rural development, infrastructure, and skills training to ensure that farmers can access and use technology effectively. Technology should not replace human labor but should enhance productivity and profitability for farmers. Overall, technology in agriculture presents significant opportunities for improving productivity, sustainability, and food security.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Sources:

• Use of Technology in Agriculture – INSIGHTSIAS (insightsonindia.com)
• The Hottest Innovations of 2023 that Revolutionized Agriculture (finextra.com)
• India transforming agriculture via digital revolution- The New Indian Express
• How farm automation is revolutionizing agricultural industry | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)
• Three Agriculture Technology Trends To Watch In 2023 (forbes.com)