Farming methods have evolved massively over the years, from basic, hand-held tools to the fashionable , sophisticated machinery we use today. Farmers are now embracing modernity, which has enabled them to realize the very best potential in whichever farming activity they prefer to undertake. Farming methods are increasingly becoming more refined, less manual, yields are increasing, and it’s not uncommon to seek out beef poultry, beef , and dairy cows on an equivalent farm. But what's causing these changes? the solution is straightforward . Technology!

Technological advancements have permeated every industry across the planet and agriculture is not any exception. Nowadays, technology is significantly helping growers and farmers in several ways, including precise forecasting, data-driven deciding , and more. The changes have also resulted in a positive impact on the rock bottom line of most farmers and ultimately led to improved access to food products, at reasonable prices. Let’s delve into the precise ways during which technology has revolutionized agriculture.

Online resources

The proliferation of internet technology has dramatically offered farmers unprecedented access to a wealth of valuable resources and tools to form farming easier. Notably, the web has innumerable production and planning tools to assist them to forecast future crops.

Additionally, the planet Wide Web provides several farming forums that permit them to exchange ideas seek advice, and participate in insightful discussions. These forums offer robust support groups which will help farmers without ever setting foot on the farm.

GPS Technology

A few decades ago, the thought of tractors driving themselves on the farm was implausible. However, the entry of GPS technology has completely changed everything. GPS gives location information at any place near or on the earth’s surface. So, farming machines integrated with GPS receivers can recognize their position within the farm and adapt their operation to maximize their efficiency at that location.

Now, tractors equipped with GPS technology including automatic steering systems are wont to improve the location of seeds on the farm, thereby reducing wastes and costs. Additionally, GPS-guided drones are increasingly getting used to performing tasks like crop spraying, livestock monitoring, and 3D mapping.

The applications of GPS are many and transcend their usage in tractors. for instance , farmers can use a GPS receiver to detect preselected positions during a farm field for soil sample collection. the chosen soil samples are then analyzed to get a fertility map during a geographic data system (GIS). Using the map, farmers can accurately prescribe the number of fertiliser required for every sampled section of the farm field. then , the farmer can use Variable-rate technology (VRT) fertiliser applicators to distribute the precise amount of fertilisers within the area.

Mobile devices

As technology improves a day , mobile technology also has advanced, as evidenced by the number of apps shooting up . This development has significantly impacted every sphere of life with agriculture too taking advantage of the progress. The actual game changes are mobile applications. they need to alter the lives of farmers and agricultural field holders, for the higher . Famers have access to many mobile apps which will help them to gather information on their field farms, check the weather, and receive relevant updates.

With farmers getting insightful details from mobile apps, they're smoothly transitioning from handling fields to making farm maps and facilitating the utilization of drones. The software behind the apps put them within the drivers' seat when managing everything from strategy formulation to tracking progress.

Sensors Technology

Sensors, like GPS technology, are increasingly getting used by farmers to grasp their crops at a micro level, reduce environmental impacts, and conserve resources. Most of the sensing technologies utilized in precision agriculture provide critical data that helps farmers to adapt their approaches to the changing environmental factors.

Location sensors use GPS satellites signals to determine longitude, latitude, and altitude. To effectively triangulate an edge , a farmer should have a minimum of three satellites. Optical sensors also are utilized in precision agriculture to aggregate and process plant color and soil reflectance data. More precisely, they're wont to determine the organic matter, moisture content, and clay content within the soil.

Generally, sensors can monitor everything from soil temperature to humidity levels in grain silos. Also, they will offer very critical knowledge of soil health. And importantly, sensor technology helps farmers to use their irrigation waters more efficiently, minimizing on wastage, and lowering costs.

Smart farming

When all the above technologies are merged, the resulting product is going to be a sensible farming system, often mentioned as precision agriculture. Smart farming involves the implementation of up-to-date Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) into agriculture, leading to what's mentioned because of the Third revolution . The revolution is slowly taking up the agricultural sector through the joint application of ICT solutions like the web of Things (IoT), GPS, robotics, sensors and actuators, Big Data, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs, drones), precision equipment, plus far more .

Using irrigation as an example, we will demonstrate how different technologies are combined to supply smart farming. Before watering the farm field, a farmer can use a sensor to assess the moisture level of the soil. the knowledge obtained is then wont to vary the number of water required.

Farmers can use drones to assess plant health and enable them to require any corrective measures, where applicable. Similarly, smart farming techniques allow farmers to watch the individual needs of their animals better and regulate their nutrition correspondingly, thereby averting disease and improving their health.

Smart farming gives farmers with limitless potential to deliver a more sustainable and productive output supported by field-generated data. Also, it gives farmers another value through better and timely decision-making.