Effective technologies used and praised by farmers
Here are a few technologies and techniques that farmers have used and have found to be very effective.
Geographic Information Systems
A Geographic Information System (GIS Software) is designed to store, manage, and visualize any kind of geographic information to plan appropriately and to make well-informed decisions about the type of crops which would suit a certain location based on the texture and qualities of soil and weather conditions in that area. As the farmers do not need to treat the entire field and only the areas which require treatment, it would lead to cost-cutting, reduced damage to plants (due to fertilizers applied to the areas which did not need that), less runoff of chemicals into rivers and groundwater and also the conservation of water.
Satellite Imagery
Satellite images can be used to monitor land properties, plantation requirements, predict changes in weather, observe the area to form a proper agricultural plan, and also develop existing plans. Generating field images using satellites provides us with information that can be analyzed to learn about trends which helps with a consistent biomass estimation.
Farming software and online data
Farm management software provides the farmer with a detailed view of all farm activities and vegetation performance through a single platform, which enables efficient planning, the capacity to track activities in real-time and thus take the right decisions at right time to improve their productivity.
Aerial Drones
Drones are also considered to be very useful to deal with insects; the invasion is prevented by applying the insecticide on the hazard areas using drones, all while reducing the likelihood of direct exposure leading to chemical poisoning and hence damaging vegetation and animals. They also provide information through images and the images taken through drones have a higher resolution as compared to satellites.
Temperature and moisture sensors
Temperature and moisture sensors are very commonly used environmental sensors to check the climate of an area and the humidity conditions. These devices are often used in situations in which weather conditions may be extreme or need to be controlled due to varying reasons. Areas where there is high moisture, there is high humidity, and the weather is considered to be towards the warmer side. In addition, as the climate is a major factor that needs to be considered before cultivation, these sensors are of great value to the cultivators.
Famous agriculture companies
Following are a few famous agriculture companies researching and developing new tools and techniques to help farmers and to increase their efficiency.
AeroFarms LLC
Award-winning indoor farming company transforming agriculture with people and planet in mind.
Bayer Global AG
Bayer is a leading Life Science company with companies in countries worldwide. It is a German multinational pharmaceutical and life sciences company and one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. Headquartered in Leverkusen, Bayer's areas of business include pharmaceuticals; consumer healthcare products, agricultural chemicals, seeds, and biotechnology products.
BrightFarms Inc.
BrightFarms is an agriculture tech startup developing high-tech greenhouses for growing fresh produce.
Cargill
Cargill, Inc. is a privately held American global food corporation based in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and incorporated in Wilmington, Delaware. Founded in 1865, it is the largest privately held corporation in the United States in terms of revenue.
Clearas Water Recovery
Clearas Water Recovery develops nutrient recovery wastewater treatment solutions that outperform chemical options.
ENOUGH
ENOUGHs offer protein through sustainable fermentation, for meeting the future food needs of a growing planet.
Farmers Edge
Farmers Edge is a global leader in precision agriculture services and data management solutions.
Indigo Agriculture
Indigo uses AI to add beneficial microbes to crops in the form of a seed coating.
Tillable
Consultants simplify farmland management for landowners, connecting farmers with more land and finance options.
Vibrathon
Packaged food products to enable sustainable and transparent food supply chains.
Conclusion
Agriculture was and still is a very important part of our everyday lives as our nutritional needs are dependent on it. Developing countries earn a huge chunk of income through the cultivation and sale of their products. Technological developments have led to many benefits like the increased variety of seeds and crops, lower costs and hence higher profits, reduced ecological damage, reduced pollution and wastage of resources, saving of time and effort, and many more.
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