Agriculture is going through the digital revolution that is characterized by AI (AI) playing a crucial role in
The industry is changing. This abstract gives a comprehensive overview of the impact of artificial intelligence. In the field of agriculture, it focuses on major problems and advances in this rapidly growing research area.
AI-powered technologies have the potential to solve many of the current agricultural challenges, including increasing global food production to meet the needs of a growing population while maximizing usage of resources and reducing the environmental impact. Farmers can make informed decisions throughout the agriculture cycle starting from planting the crop to harvesting thanks to the latest developments with machine learning, computer-vision and sensor technology.
The current research era is focusing on a variety of important subjects. To start with, precision agriculture employs AI to assess data gathered from various sources, including drones, satellite images as well as IoT sensors, to increase the output of agricultural products and manage resources. The second is that AI-driven farming technology like self-driving tractors and robotic weed control and drone-assisted pest management is expected to revolutionize labour-intensive processes while also reducing operating costs. Thirdly, the diagnosis of agricultural diseases and monitoring with AI-based algorithms allow for earlier intervention which can reduce losses in crops and the use of pesticides.
When you consider Artificial Intelligence (AI) it is likely that your first thoughts that come into your head are of sparkling tech centers that are located in the middle of Silicon Valley. Perhaps you think of state-of-the art navigation and defense systems for U.S. air carriers as well as submarines.
It’s highly unlikely that the mention of AI will bring up images of vast fields filled with healthy crops, animals grazing on lush pastures that sparkle, and vast storehouses that hold huge amounts of fresh fruits, vegetables and dairy products freshly picked right from farms.
The marriage between AI as well as agriculture has become happening and promises to be successful. Today, more than any time before, it seems like the next phase of agriculture could be in artificial intelligence technology.
The Role of Agritech in the Modern Farming
For those who aren’t experienced, farming may be associated in the present with pastoral images of the past, using technology and tools which have not changed much over the centuries. People often consider farming to as the last protection from the pressures of modernity.
People who work in the field of agriculture, but, know the fact that technology and agriculture have always been in sync. In fact, agri-tech is becoming a vital part of modern farming. By utilizing AI robots, robotics as well as other modern technologies farmers are better able than they have ever been to boost yields of their crops and reduce the chance of crop failures, as well as adopt more sustainable practices.
How is Agri-Tech being used Today?
Agri-tech’s uses today are as diverse and varied as farmers that use the technology. Artificial Intelligence systems for example are a great tool to help farmers make smart decisions that is where the IoT can be used to constantly monitor the development of the soil and environmental conditions and also to warn farmers about potential pests or diseases.
These technologies may even make use of the power of machine learning to forecast yields of crops and devise cultivation strategies that can give the best ROI while making use of resources less.
Risk Management Through Smart Farming
It is a fact that farming is always a risky business. One storm, a pest outbreak of disease, an infestation or even a collapse on the market could take away the work of a farmer, and the majority of the earnings over the course of a whole season.
This risk is more apparent in the present, when the effects of climate change manifest themselves in frequently extreme and unpredictable weather conditions.
AI systems assist in the application of precision agriculture, which means that farmers are better in identifying the most promising areas that are suitable for certain kinds of crops and adapt their cultivation strategies according to the unique and constantly changing requirements of the specific area. That means that farmers be aware of exactly what their crop requires at any moment, and ensure that the fields will always have the optimal level of hydration, oxygen, light, and fertilization to suit the conditions and the variety of crops. This helps in risk reduction not only by reducing chance of failures in the crop, but also by reducing waste of resources while also maximizing yields.
Another area where AI systems can help reduce risk is the monitoring, tracking, and management of livestock. Satellite-based AI systems employ geolocation to track the movements and determine the exact locations of herds as the individual animals in real-time. They are also able to notify ranchers of the exact location of a injured or sick animal. This ability to constantly monitor the entire herd and every member even if it is spread across many acres could be a huge help to ranchers in saving hundreds, if not thousands millions of dollars worth of losses to livestock.
The Latest Trends
It’s not a secret that this is the age of technology. This is evident especially with the rapid growth of AI across a variety of industries from education to marketing to commerce.
Perhaps the most significant function in the role of AI for shaping our planet is the increasing sustainable farming trend. The traditional farming techniques have historically taken significant impact on the environment. Since the advent of intelligent farming, however food producers can not only reduce their carbon footprint as well as reduce consumption of resources, but can also develop new production practices to meet the vast and growing demands.
This includes utilizing AI-based analytics and monitoring in order to aid in the cultivation of crops in once unsustainable areas, such as urban areas that are crowded as well as indoor areas. As the population of the world is growing at an alarming rate the capacity to increase agricultural production and cultivation while minimizing environmental damage will be a vital demand.
The Takeaway
In spite of the popular notion of agriculture as the last vestige of a traditional way of life that is still alive in the age of technology, the reality is that farming and technology have always been a close ally. But, the relationship between technology and agriculture is perhaps never more vital than now. In actual fact, the emergence of smart farms that are modern has brought the most advanced technology into the agricultural industry. AI-based systems for example play a significant role in preventing the failure of crops as well as maximizing yields and promoting sustainable practices through the application of precision farming.
