Future of farming - SMART technology
The agricultural industry is undergoing a transformation, thanks to the rise of SMART farming. Farmers now have access to a wide range of technologies to help them optimize their operations and improve their yields. Tasks that once required many farmers using primitive hand tools can now be accomplished with one farmer or, in some cases, autonomously, such as using GPS guided tractors that communicate with attached implements embedded with SMART technology. This is just one of many examples that demonstrate how the emergence and growth of technology has made modern farming more efficient and sophisticated.
What does it mean to be SMART?
SMART stands for 鈥淪elf-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology.鈥 SMART technology provides cognitive awareness to the equipment through the use of sensors, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data analysis. In other words, devices are interconnected to perform common tasks but with a greater degree of autonomy. In order to achieve this autonomy, users must provide some means of communication whether it be cellular connections, Bluetooth, or an internet connection.
How is SMART technology transforming the agricultural space? While nearly every aspect of farming is evolving, several key areas include:
- Precision farming
- Agricultural drones
- Livestock monitoring
- Smart greenhouses
Precision farming
Precision farming leverages SMART technology to collect data via sensors and other inputs to process and send information to a farm鈥檚 manager or to farm equipment in order to optimize resources. Examples include:
- GPS units that guide tractors and implements to plant crops more efficiently. The farmer benefits from higher yields within the same footprint.
- Soil sampling sensors can relay information regarding moisture content, temperature, light exposure, and general soil health to apply water and nutrients more efficiently, which leads to better profit margins and less runoff into streams.
- Satellite, video and other imaging used to identify and eliminate weeds.
Agricultural drones
Agricultural drones are deployed to provide a majority of the feedback in precision farming. Aerial and ground based autonomous vehicles travel through fields and provide data on all conditions present through aerial imagery, soil and crop monitoring, and other various sensors. Additionally, these vehicles perform tasks such as planting, weeding, spraying, and harvesting. Because of their smaller nature and pinpoint crop analysis, they can target the delivery of fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, and other crop amendments without spraying the entire field. Not only do these units provide valuable information, but they are also a valuable labor resource as they can work continuously to perform tasks many humans do not want to do.
Livestock monitoring
Livestock monitoring is another example of SMART technology where farmers receive valuable information regarding livestock tracking, health monitoring, efficient breeding and regulatory compliance. Devices include wearable technologies, such as ear tags, or implanted microchips, which can precisely track each animal and analyze health, temperature, activity, amount of food and water consumed, as well as potentially detect illnesses. Sensors also keep track of milk or egg production per respective animal in addition to managing the animals鈥 breeding programs.
SMART greenhouses
Finally, SMART tech is being deployed in nurseries and greenhouses. Sensors monitor all aspects of the environment within the greenhouse such as heat, humidity, light exposure, and moisture content. Automated controls can adjust the ventilation, open windows, control irrigation and more. To address growing labor concerns and worker health, robots and other automated equipment can manage planting seeds and move plants around within the greenhouse.
While modern farming has introduced many benefits, including increased efficiency and cost-effectiveness, it has also presented new challenges. One of the biggest challenges facing modern farmers is the integration of electrical and automated equipment into their operations. Considerations for SMART technology include:
- Durability and maintenance of automated equipment, sensors and other devices.
- More technical repairs and increased dependency on the availability of qualified technicians capable of diagnosing and repairing out-of-service equipment.
- Increased cost of parts.
- Increased reliance on electrical services in areas where the infrastructure may not be reliable.
- Consideration for cyber coverage, business income, and business interruption due to the increased reliance on electronics and their communications.
Recent advancements have made farming one of the most technologically advanced industries. As the agricultural space continues to evolve at a rapid pace, the insurance industry must do the same or carriers face being left in the dust.
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