Agriculture remains the most crucial part of the economy of many countries. In addition, the planet’s population continues to grow, and farmers face new challenges. Today, agriculture has to increase the number of crops grown and, at the same time, increase yields.
Like many branches of human activity, farming today follows global trends and uses agricultural technologies to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact. With the help of drones, satellite images, GPS technology, and software, farmers can monitor all events in the fields, the state of crops at all stages of development, respond in time to potential threats to the yield, and much more.
This piece will discuss what agriculture is like in the 21st century, its innovations, and its development.
Vertical Farming
Is it possible to increase the amount of agricultural production without expanding agricultural land? We think so because vertical farming has already been invented. Vertical structures are used to grow crops in this way. This growing method requires a much smaller area for the same harvest. The creation of multiple vertical, climate-controlled sites allows for adaptation to virtually any climate for growing low-growing crops.
You can further combine vertical farming with hydroponic technology, as the Costa Group has done. The crops are planted on balsa rock, and insulating gaskets are installed on the gutters. Gutters hang from the ceiling of futuristic glass houses made in the Netherlands. What does this whole structure do? Thanks to such an outlandish greenhouse, you can grow about 70 kg of tomatoes per square meter.
Crop Monitoring
Agriculture in the 21st century wouldn’t be so advanced without crop monitoring apps. Farmers can now operate drones that provide them with data on what is happening in the fields. Growers also have a chance to receive accurate localized weather information. Software and apps make it possible to take timely measures to protect the crop and plan fieldwork following weather conditions.
In addition, farmers receive data on the state of soil and plants in a specific area. This information helps not only farmers but also scientists. They use this data to develop more resilient and productive crops.
Big Data
Many factors, including climate change, influence agriculture. Big data analytics can help solve problems with supply chains, responding to various kinds of disruptions and unexpected events, including those related to natural phenomena. Big data can also help improve forecasting and operational efficiency.
Farmers have to make many decisions every day, and the more information they have, the more effective these decisions will be. Big data is helping precision farming grow faster as agriculture has the resources to increase its yields. Farmers get visualizations of crop health through satellites and drones.
The benefits of big data technologies and analytics also include more efficient and sustainable use of energy. Save water and electricity with innovative metrics and data analysis capabilities.
Seaweed Farming
What is so special about the Australian algae Asparagopsis taxiformis? This type of algae grows as a weed along the coast of New South Wales. The critical fact is that it can contribute to the conservation of the environment.
Currently, there is already one farm for the cultivation of this type of algae. The fact is that these algae can be used as an additive for livestock feed. This additive helps to reduce the level of methane emitted by cattle significantly. Methane production could be cut by 80%. In addition, it is an entirely new industry in agriculture that will give Australians new jobs.
Regenerative Technologies
Regenerative agriculture is a combination of farming principles and practices. These principles and techniques aim to improve the farm’s ecosystem, care for and restore soil, water resources, and more. The main focus of such a farming system is to enhance resources, not deplete or destroy them.
Regenerative farming practices are gradually spreading among farmers, as many today express fears about climate change. Regenerative agriculture, in turn, offers methods to improve the condition and fertility of the soil. It’s a great alternative or an addition to traditional farming.
Yield Predictions
The problem of food waste is of great relevance today. Food waste is not only costly but also harms the environment. We are wasting essential resources such as water and agricultural land.
However, new technologies can help us solve this problem. Farmers can receive data with yield predictions. The yield monitoring technology will help to distribute all the goods among the buyers in advance. Thus, farmers will have the opportunity to make more profit and avoid food waste. Yield monitoring will also inform growers about which varieties will be available and predict their yields next year.
Final Thoughts
A new era of science has already begun, and with it, the transformation of traditional agriculture has begun. All of today’s farming is aimed at getting more crops for the growing population. At the same time, it is necessary to preserve and restore natural resources and reduce the negative impact on the environment.
In this, humanity is helped by technologies that make it possible to receive more information about the state of the crop and the entire farm as a whole. This awareness leads to increased decision efficiency and agricultural productivity.
