Automation in Agricultural Equipment and Technology

 Automation in Agricultural Equipment and Technology

Automation is a modern strategy which was applied to many sectors in collaboration with engineering and information technology fields, to increase productivity and efficiency. It is focusing on reducing the human intervention in regular processes that decision making steps are not included in. To bring out the perfect result, they use a combination of different technologies such as Machine vision, Collaborative robots, Cognitive computing, satellite imagery, GIS software and Artificial intelligence (AI). Automation has resulted in reducing defects, minimizing the time spent and elevating the accuracy of the processes, thus ultimately has increased the productivity in comparison with the human intervention in the same processes.

Usage of automated equipment and technology in the agriculture sector is one of the most effective solutions for future global difficulty caused by food scarcity. Agriculture sector has been growing rapidly by successfully implementing automation as it is essential to increase the productivity in agriculture. The farming industry has faced a huge transformation by using automation: machines, robotics and AI, thus the concept of smart farming is initiated. The main reason for this achievement is that the ability of agricultural processes to be automated. At present, from soil inspection to packaging and storage, in the processes in-between such as soil preparation, planting and seeding, mowing, spraying and thinning, weed controlling, crop scouting, fertilizing, sorting, and harvesting, machineries are used instead of using human labour.

Soil inspection can be identified as the first step in agriculture that uses robots. A high accuracy level in soil sampling, measurement of depth and the location has been reached through the usage of robots. Therefore this process gives a reliable and accountable foundation for a thriving cultivation. According to the results from the soil inspection process, soil preparation in the chosen areas can also be conducted through automated systems using robots and drones. There are machines used in seeding and planting that can maintain uniform patterns in cultivation according to the given distances. These machines allow the farmers to save a great amount of time which is very advantageous in farming and cultivating. Harvesting machines can also be identified as time savers. Not only they save time, but save the harvest too. The post-harvest loss in Sri Lanka is about 40% for perishable food items at present. These harvesting robots or machines are invaluable in reducing this loss by preventing the damages caused by human faults and malpractice in harvesting.

The helpfulness of automated equipment in storing and packaging also should not be ignored. They save the time and yield by maintaining proper conditions and using quick and systemic approaches. Apart from all these, usage of satellite images and drawn images to identify proper arable lands and harvest-ready products, can be considered as an example for using advanced automated technology in agriculture. They give the accurate and properly classified data, thus it saves time, money and the harvest. It also helps to gain the consumer attraction by offering the product at the appropriate stage of maturity.

Despite all the above fortunes, there are some difficulties faced in implementing above equipment and technology. One of the main problems is lack of financial ability. To establish above sophisticated machinery, it takes a lot of money because they should be durable to field work while being smooth and protective of electronic and computing systems that are fragile at the same time. Hence, these are not that affordable, especially for developing countries. Apart from the finance issue, lack of knowledge in technology in farmers makes the processes difficult to apply. With the poor knowledge they have, they tend to grow uncertain and negative vision on implementing these modern technology and equipment in their field. Therefore, when introducing this technology and machinery to a new population of farmers, providing the farmers and the owners of the fields with adequate knowledge is a must.

At present, automation of equipment and technology is a vital factor that contributes massively in elevating the agriculture sector. Furthermore, it is essential in establishing food security for the future, due to the rapid global population growth which has a rate that projects 9.7 billion people by 2050. To achieve the presumed level of food availability to ensure food security, the current production should be increased by about 70%. Therefore, this automation technology is a golden opportunity to grab for the improvement of agriculture, and it also should be developed accordingly to gain the maximum benefit and to secure it for the future generation.

References -:
What is Automation? - ISA. (2021). Isa.Org. https://www.isa.org/about-isa/what-is-automation

How Automation is Transforming the Farming Industry. (2019, May 21). Plug and Play Tech Center. https://www.plugandplaytechcenter.com/.../how-automation.../