The agriculture-technology sector is one of the most essential life-sustaining sectors, and the sector is experiencing the major brunt of climate change, increasing population, low productivity, and inefficient use of resources. To tackle these issues, an amalgamation of Agriculture
New technology in agriculture (also known as Agri-Tech) with Artificial Intelligence (AI) is considered to be the most viable solution. The blend can revolutionise agriculture in a way never imagined and take it in a much better direction.
AI application in Agriculture Technology
In the process of catering to the traditional problems of agriculture-technology, AI is helping farmers by yielding healthier crops, controlling pests, monitoring soil, and many more.
Here are some key applications of Artificial Intelligence in the Agriculture technology :
Weather Analysis and Price forecasting
With the help of AI weather forecasting, farmers can have information on weather analysis, and accordingly, they can plan for the type of crop to grow, seeds to sow and harvest the crop.
With price forecasting, farmers can get a better idea about the price of crops for the next few weeks, which can help them to get maximum profit.
Detecting Crop Damage
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, on average, pests account for 20-40% of yield losses worldwide, costing the global economy $220 billion. Various apps are allowing farmers to detect diseases in real time as soon as a sample crop photograph is uploaded.
These apps use a tool for analysing the image of a crop, plant or leaf to diagnose crop damage. Farmers can also get an idea to use better fertiliser, which can improve the harvest quality.
AI robotics and Spraying
AI sensors can detect weeds easily, and they also detect weed-affected areas. On finding such areas, herbicides can be precisely sprayed to reduce the use of herbicides and also save time and crop.
Different AI companies are building robots with AI and computer vision that can precisely spray on weeds. AI sprayers can widely reduce the number of chemicals used in fields, improving the quality of crops and saving money.
Precision Farming
One of the most exciting applications of AI in agriculture-technology is precision agriculture. Farmers can access real-time data on essential parameters such as soil moisture, nutrient levels, and crop health by seamlessly integrating AI algorithms with satellite imagery, drones, and sensors.
These invaluable insights enable informed decisions regarding irrigation, fertilisation, and pest management. This precise approach optimises resource utilisation, leading to increased crop yields and reduced environmental impact – a boon for both farmers and the planet.
AI and logistics
In the fruit and vegetable market, farmers struggle with tight margins of less than 5-6% due to high logistics costs.
Many companies use software platforms with computing capability to solve large, multi-dimensional optimisation problems. These software have an open-source tool configured to match real-time scenarios of delivery times, traffic simulations, vehicle types, speeds, availability, etc., thereby providing a win-win situation for all, where farmers get fair prices for their produce.
Retailers can source high-quality products at competitive prices, giving consumers access to fresh and nutritious food.
AI and automation
AI and automation empower farmers to achieve more without expanding their workforce. Driverless tractors navigate fields, while smart irrigation and fertilization systems precisely deliver resources. AI-powered spraying targets pests effectively, and vertical farming software optimizes indoor growing spaces. Finally, AI-based robots take on harvesting tasks, freeing up farmers for other crucial activities. AI-driven machines and equipment are much faster and accurate compared to human farmhands.
Just as the saying goes, “modern problems require modern solutions,” the future of agriculture hinges on the powerful combination of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Agri-Tech. This dynamic duo is poised to revolutionize the sector, driving innovation and equipping farmers with predictive solutions. The result? A more sustainable, efficient, and rewarding agricultural landscape, one that’s resilient and ready to face the challenges of tomorrow.
