How automation is transforming the agriculture

 How automation is transforming the agriculture

Agriculture is the science of growing crops, cultivating the soil and raising livestock. It has been the fundamentals of economy and practiced since the primitive times. Agriculture influenced the most in the rising of civilizations.Development of agriculture was slow for the past thousands of years but it is undergoing rapid and intense changes due to a vast number of social factors and technological trends. In the modern days technology has begun to rule over the world and it is no exception to agricultural industry. This is also known as farm automation which means the use of agricultural machinery, chemical sensors, computer systems, electronics and data management to reduce the need for human labor in equipment operation and decision making (2021). Humans use technology in numerous and marvelous ways to increase the quality of products and to increase efficiency. Let us find out more about these methods.

Modern farming technologies consist of all aspects of crop production. Some companies introduce software allowing efficient seed and fertilizer management as well as soil and irrigation control down to the prediction of yield. Other startups offer drones that are leveraged not only with surveillance purposes but can apply crop treatments from above such as fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and the like. Still others design and employ automated farm equipment with a range of applications – from grain augers, combines, and automated tractors to fruit picking robots (2020).

Use of IOT (Internet of Things).

This modern farming technology does not require the presence of humans to control the processes. Sensors, gauges and machines function on their own being connected together using mobile internet, cellular network or any other type of connection. It provides accurate information about the condition of crops using sensors. This technology contributes to produce higher-quality crops. Vital factors which greatly affect farming such as rainfall, air and soil temperature can be monitored by sensors. It can also be used in resource tracking and implementing storage safety.

Use of farm machinery
Nowadays self-controlled machines and robots are used in large scale providing an enormous solution for lack of human labor. Some of the equipment is high in price. Major tractor manufacturers move along similar tracks aspiring to design remotely controlled and pre-programmed machines that would allow their users to cut down on labor and input costs. Some of their projects have already come to fruition. DOT Technology Corp produced a diesel-powered seeder that can sow an entire field with no human interference by following predefined routes. The Hands-Free Hectare project was launched in the UK where completely autonomous farming machines planted, cultivated, and harvested a hectare of barley with no human setting a foot into the field (2020).

Elevated Farming.

Some machines can be used to watch crops from high providing information of the state of crops and spray chemicals.

Advancement of technology has made farmers spend less time in the field and analyze data from computers to diagnose problems .The above mentioned machineries and technologies have proven that automation of agricultural equipment and technologies is more profitable, efficient, more environmentally friendly and safer.

References

(2020). Retrieved 03 03, 2021, from https://roboticsandautomationnews.com/.../the.../40848/
(2021). Retrieved 03 03, 2021, from https://roboticsandautomationnews.com/.../the.../40848/