It is remarkable to consider the technological developments that have occurred in recent years. These developments are transforming many industries, including farming.
Farming is an area where there have been a number of notable developments that have increased efficiency, improved productivity, reduced costs, and improved sustainability, among other benefits.
It can be challenging to keep up when there have been so many exciting developments in the world of farming and agriculture, which is why this post will look at a few of the key technologies that are shaping the farming sector. Interested?
Read on to learn about some of the main technologies in farming right now.
Drones
Drones are being used increasingly in farming as they can be used in a number of useful ways. Drones can help with crop monitoring, field mapping and surveying, crop spraying, livestock monitoring, and yield estimation, just a few examples.
Drones can help farmers to become more efficient and sustainable, so it is easy to see why they are becoming such a popular form of technology in 2024.
Internet of Things (IoT)
IoT is a form of technology that is being used in many industries in 2024. It can be incredibly useful in farming as it provides the ability for farmers to collect a wide-range of data that can be used to improve decision-making and optimize operations.
For example, IoT sensors can be used to provide data on weather conditions, crop health, soil moisture, and farming machinery performance.
Laser Weeding
Weeding is a key and ongoing task for farmers. There are a few options available, but laser weeding is a technology that is on the rise. Laser weed control can provide an effective solution by targeting weeds with low optical powers, which prevents damage to crops.
Using a blue laser for weed control can also be a more energy-efficient option compared to CO2 laser weeding, enabling farmers to reduce their impact. This is a form of precision agriculture that allows farmers to modernize their operations and improve yields.
Automated Systems
Another form of technology that is transforming industries is automation. Automation is growing traction in farming because it can be used to enable operations to continue 24/7, reduce labor costs, reduce human error, improve efficiency, and free up time for farmers to focus on other areas.
Automated systems can be used to semi or fully automate a number of tasks, including sorting crops, planting, and harvesting.
Genetic Engineering
Developments in biotechnology have also led to the ability to modify crops genetically. Techniques like CRISPR can enhance the nutritional value of different crops, and crops can also be engineered to become more resilient to various environmental factors. This allows farmers to produce high-quality crops and prevent waste.
These are currently a few of the main technologies that are transforming the farming industry. The farming sector is one that can greatly benefit from new technologies as they can bring a wide range of benefits to both farmers and consumers and help overcome some of the challenges that the industry faces.
Article and permission to publish here provided by Carol Trehearn. Originally written for Supply Chain Game Changer and published on March 28, 2024.
Cover photo by ThisisEngineering RAEng on Unsplash.