Welp MagazineAgriculture aims to reduce the use of hard, manual, backbreaking labor. Farmers pay more attention to cutting-edge technologies, which allow them to simplify many tasks, be more aware of events in the fields, and increase profits at a lower cost. There is also a range of valuable options that helps to detect crop threats and damaged zones. It gives farmers an excellent chance to monitor the crops’ state and take crop protection measures.
For this reason, the market for innovative agricultural solutions continues to develop and grow. This piece will talk about the main trends in agriculture in 2021 and how they are transforming this field of activity.
Satellite-driven data
Satellite data makes it possible to predict crop yields. In addition, near real-time field monitoring helps detect problems before damage is done. Moreover, with the help of sensors, you can capture images in different spectra and apply various spectral indices.
Due to the ndvi imagery, you can determine the state of crops and the content of vegetation, as well as the number of wilted plants. With the help of the CCCI, farmers get information about the chlorophyll content of a plant. This data is extremely useful as it comes to the application of nutrients. There are numerous indices that give you a chance to get a lot of valuable information on your crops.
IoT
The Internet of Things benefits many fields of human activity, and agriculture is no exception. This technology gives farmers excellent opportunities when it comes to collecting data. In smart agriculture, IoT is represented by various sensors that provide data on illumination, soil moisture, temperature, and monitoring the state of crops. Physical objects with sensors can communicate through the Internet and software. It is necessary for the exchange of data between things.
IoT has many applications in agriculture. For example, drones with appropriate technology make a significant contribution to monitoring and analyzing field conditions. IoT sensors are also used to track livestock and monitor the health of animals. Analytics of precipitation, moisture temperatures, and other soil parameters are also available due to this technology. Moreover, IoT devices are used to create and maintain innovative greenhouses that do not require human intervention.
Blockchain
Blockchain is a decentralized database that stores data across the entire supply chain. This technology can transform food manufacturers around the world. Blockchain technologies are currently being used to provide transparency in the supply chain for agricultural products, e-commerce in agricultural trade, insurance, and subsidies.
Blockchain technology provides the transparency of supply. It can be done through immutable records from production to consumption. Transmission of information becomes easier at every stage. In addition, it is an excellent opportunity to secure agricultural products, prevent illegal and unethical output, and much more.
GIS
GIS software plays an essential role in modern farms, as the state of the fields is highly dependent on location. This technology makes it possible to obtain data on changes in precipitation, temperatures, plant health, yields, and much more. You can also optimize your fertilizer, herbicide, and pesticide application through GPS-based applications combined with smart equipment.
Farmers can save resources by receiving information about what zones need fertilization or more intensive irrigation. Satellites and drones collect data on soil, weather, plant health, and more, which is another advantage of GIS. The more data you have, the more practical decisions you can make.
Automation
In agriculture, there have been labor problems for a long time. In addition, there are also high costs and low-reliability issues. The suppliers’ inability to change the packaging capabilities and the supply chain was exposed during the pandemic. All of these things influence profits negatively and affect every participant of the business.
However, agricultural productivity and safety can be improved with modern technology. Drones, software, and various sensors can eliminate the human factor in farm management, making it more reliable and accurate. Automation makes it possible to produce more agricultural products quickly and with less human intervention.
Possessing valuable data from various sources, you can detect and solve problems in advance. Besides, a small team is needed to farm management, which significantly reduces costs. Automation helps to meet the population’s growing needs in farm products. At the same time, automation reduces the burden on people, since manual labor in agriculture is quite challenging.
Final Thoughts
Innovation has the potential to transform traditional agriculture significantly. Through various technologies, farmers can get much more information about the state of the crop and fields. This information enables you to make better decisions regarding field planning, plant protection, and yield forecasting. In addition, technology adoption is helping to reduce costs and farm more sustainably. Agricultural trends are also affecting trade and supply chains, making them safer and more advanced.
