• GIS technology in agriculture and GPS agriculture
• Satellite imagery.
• Drone and other aerial imagery
• Agricultural information technology and online data
• Combining data sets

As a result, today’s farms are reaping significant benefits from digital technology in agriculture, which is constantly evolving. These benefits include reduced consumption of water, nutrients and fertilizers, reduced negative impacts on the surrounding ecosystem, reduced chemical runoff into local groundwater and rivers, increased efficiency, lower prices and more. In this way, businesses become profitable, smart and sustainable. Let’s discuss some of these innovative technologies in smart agriculture.

GIS Technology in Agriculture

Because fields are location-dependent, GIS technology is becoming an incredibly useful tool in terms of precision agriculture. Using geographic information technology in agriculture, farmers can display current and future changes in precipitation, temperature, yields, plant health, and more. It also allows GPS-based applications to be used along with smart technology to optimize fertilizer and pesticide application; given that farmers do not need to treat the entire field, but only certain areas, they can achieve savings in money, effort and time.

Another big advantage of GIS technology used in agriculture is the use of satellites and drones to collect valuable data on vegetation, soil conditions, weather and terrain from a bird’s eye view. Such data greatly improves the accuracy of decision-making.

Satellite Data

With the help of drone technology in agriculture (drones), farmers are able to determine crop biomass, plant height, weed presence and water saturation in certain areas of the field with high accuracy. They provide better and more accurate data with higher resolution than satellites. When they are working in the field, they provide valuable information even faster than scouts. Drones are also considered unbeatable helpers in insect control; insect infestations are prevented by applying insecticide to dangerous areas using unmanned technology (drones), while reducing the chance of direct exposure leading to chemical poisoning.

Although drones are easy to use and can collect large amounts of data in a short amount of time, there are still problems with their continued use because the technology is not cheap. Drones are virtually helpless where mapping or monitoring of large areas is required, and it is better to supplement this technology with satellite monitoring of already mapped areas where specific areas need to be rechecked.

Online Data

To make it easier to monitor agricultural fields, EOS has developed EOSDA Crop Monitoring, a digital platform that uses satellite monitoring to speed up a farmer’s decision-making so they don’t miss an important point in field treatment. Here are some of the features available on the platform:

• Crop Monitoring allows you to use the Normalized Vegetation Index (NDVI) to track crop health in agriculture. This index tracks the amount of chlorophyll in the plants, which provides information about their condition. If you have higher NDVI values, you have healthier vegetation because the more chlorophyll available to the plant, the healthier it is.
• Another important feature of today’s EOSDA Crop Monitoring information technology is the Scouting app. It is a mobile and desktop application that uses digital field maps. Using this app in agriculture, a farmer can assign scouts multiple tasks in a few clicks. Add a field, place a pin, assign a task. Once a task is assigned, the scout moves directly to the selected location and checks problem areas on the plot, checks for pest activity, performs weed control actions, etc., immediately taking notes in the app. This allows you to inspect problem areas only when necessary, thereby saving time to take necessary preventive measures.
• Weather analytics as information technology in agriculture. By analyzing weather data according to plant condition data from satellite imagery, farmers can accurately apply irrigation and prevent frost or heat damage. Since virtually all calculations and analysis are performed by the software itself, setting up the process of monitoring and taking care of the field is almost as easy as playing roulette or poker at an online casino. For example, one of the best ways to avoid drought problems is drip irrigation technology with automatic or manual valve control, so the farmer can supply the right amount of water to drought-prone areas.
• The strongest advantage of EOSDA Crop Monitoring is that it is based on satellite images. It helps to analyze field conditions or the condition of specific areas of agriculture and quickly extract valuable information, thereby speeding up optimal response time as well as making reliable decisions – which crops to sow, when to harvest, how to effectively plan for the next season, how much nutrients and fertilizer to apply, and much more.

Combining Data

Sometimes in the EOSDA Crop Monitoring platform, you have to mix different data sets to get valuable information about your fields. For starters, the user can compare the performance of their field to the average performance of all the fields in the area. To overcome this problem, technology is used to compare multiple datasets from all the fields in your area. For now, such comparisons are only available using the NDVI vegetation index, but in the near future we will expand the analytical capabilities of the Platform by adding new indices.

The next important function, modern information technology in agriculture using multiple data sets, is the analysis of weather data. It consists of the following options:

• “Plant Frost” informs you of low temperatures that threaten your winter crops.
• “Frost Threat” highlights days when temperatures have dropped below -6 ℃ to assess damage to early crops from frost.
• “Drought Threat” reflects days with temperatures above + 30 ℃ to assess damage from heat stress.

This feature of new technology in agriculture also provides the ability to monitor precipitation and temperature.

Precision Agriculture Results

Promising high technology in agriculture is moving into the future by leaps and bounds. They offer substantial assistance to farmers in their efforts to optimize costs, simplify farm management and increase productivity. Higher yields as well as lower maintenance costs help increase profitability. In the context of intelligent solutions, innovative technology in agriculture offers the Swiss Army knife of precision farming technology for both today’s and tomorrow’s farmers.

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Top technologies to use in modern farming

The new tech-based approach in modern agriculture brings farming to a new level of development. It can help get better results with limited resources. Let us take a closer look at some of the best modern farming technologies. 

1. Indoor Vertical Farming

Vertical farming is the process of growing crops on top of each other instead of in traditional rows. It has the potential to increase crop yields, overcome limited land area, and even reduce the farming impact on the environment by cutting down the distance traveled in the supply chain. The ability to thrive in limited space is what makes this type of growing associated with the city and urban farming. The uniqueness of vertical farms is that some setups do not require soil for plants to grow. Most are hydroponic, where vegetables are grown in a nutrient-dense bowl of water, or aeroponic, where the plant roots are sprayed with water and nutrients. The water consumption of vertical farms is up to 70% less than traditional farms.

2. Precision Agriculture

Precision agriculture is a farming management concept based on observation, measurement, and response to inter- and intra-field variability in crops. Farmers can maximize yields by controlling every variable of crop farming, such as moisture levels, pest stress, soil conditions, and microclimates, with new precision agriculture technologies. Precision agriculture provides more accurate techniques for planting and growing crops, which allows farmers to increase efficiency and manage costs.

3. Farm Automation

Farm automation is a technology that improves efficiency and automates the crop or livestock production cycle. Companies are investing in robotics innovation in order to develop drones, autonomous tractors, robotic harvesters, and automatic watering and seeding robots. Changing consumer preferences and a rising global population are some of the issues that farm automation technology addresses.

4. Artificial Intelligence

The use of artificial intelligence in farming could have a significant impact. Remote sensors, satellites, etc. can gather information 24 hours a day over an entire field. They can monitor plant health, soil condition, temperature, humidity, and other factors. These sensors can collect a lot of data, and advanced technology will help farmers understand the information better. A farmer would see it as an online game in a live casino, where he could interact with the host and other competitors, while also seeing a full analysis of the situation on the field and making the necessary and winning decisions. Data is processed by algorithms that adapt and learn based on the data received. The goal is to use this artificial intelligence to make better decisions in the field so that farmers can get a better harvest.

5. Livestock Farming Technology

Farms that continue to upscale the size of their operations can now use smart technology to monitor individual animals more closely. New developments have made tracking and managing livestock much easier and more data-driven. Nutritional technologies, genetics, or digital technology can be used to improve the productivity, welfare, or management of animals and livestock. The use of sensors and data technologies can improve the productivity and welfare of livestock by detecting sick animals and intelligently recognizing room for improvement.

6. Blockchain

Blockchain has a unique decentralized structure that ensures verified products and practices to create a market for premium products with transparency. This technology can be used to address urgent issues such as food fraud, safety recalls, supply chain inefficiency, and food traceability in the current food system. Root-cause analysis is the first step in tracking down the source of contamination when foodborne diseases threaten public health. There is no tolerance for uncertainty.

Blockchain can be used for more than just ensuring food safety. By establishing a ledger in the network and balancing market pricing, it adds value to the current market. The blockchain application for trades might change how traditional commodity trading and hedging works. Blockchain makes it possible to share verified transactions in the food supply chain with all participants, creating a marketplace with great transparency.

In conclusion

Sustainable farming is a hot topic today. The population is growing quickly, and land and water shortages are a big problem for humanity. The demand for food will grow. Innovations in agriculture technology provide the means of smarter, safer, and more productive farming, from advances in precision agriculture to farm automation, genetics, and water management technology. These new technologies can help us find the needed solutions.

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It’s understandable that people are curious about the lives of these people. And what better way to learn more than taking a trip down to the farm?

We put a lot of time and effort into improving our farm, so it’s good to know we can afford to take some risks every now and then. Sometimes you need to make new investments in order to keep up with the latest developments. We’ve made a few purchases recently like new tractors and other equipment as well as going through with some construction on our buildings. In our previously built hedgehog, they mounted and launched a slat on which everything – from sorting to stacking potatoes and vegetables on pallets – is fully automated. Often the government helps me, especially at the beginning. A government must provide some support or otherwise it’ll never be possible to turn around quickly. Governments should give others the chance to start up their own business.

For many people, thinking back on the beginning of their journey can be difficult. It’s easy to remember back when being a pioneer on virgin lands was tough and fraught with doubt. But now, having seen the shining light of success from afar, it’s important to think about how you can cultivate both a successful farm and high quality produce. It’s reassuring to see that many people are there to help. It’s great that those with relatives and close friends, as well as neighbors, have the support they need. More importantly, over time it means there are more assistants who will help which is good for the farm. With the use of technology, the whole process from sowing crops to loading for shipment to the consumer is done with machines.

But in the meantime, the novice farmer does not understand what’s going on around them. They ask why you need it and outright ridicule it. The land was given out in small portions at a time. They get about 10 hectares, so they might say that people are wasting their time trying to grow food there. In the beginning of our journey, mainly potatoes and cereals are grown, but only a few carrots and cabbage. Children’s technology back then. But now he knows that for this area to develop it’s first priority.

Why is vegetable farming so popular? It’s just not as occupied by other business people. There’s still a lot of money to be made, though, and it can be significantly more profitable than some other agribusinesses. However, at the same time an understanding comes that if you want to survive in a competitive market like this, you cannot use outdated methods. As a result of which increasing productivity levels and costs can be reduced. You cannot forget about modern technologies and knowledge of the latest developments in this field. In most businesses, you’ll need to be an expert in the field. Farmers, with their routine tasks, seem especially simple… but there’s always something that can surprise you out of the blue! In order to plan and foresee the future, you need to be able to understand market conditions. That’s why it is so important to constantly improve, adjust and stay on top of what’s happening in the industry to stay profitable. No one vegetable is currently the most profitable crop.

What are some common problems for farmers? One big issue is the lack of moisture. You can’t just start irrigating all of your crops at once, but you can use a well or a pool to start with. Milk used to be expensive and the quality of the product was worth it. One more thing: shopping – purchasing items. People often bought milk from cans, herring from wooden barrels. Nowadays these products are strictly packages and bags with a convenient shelf life so that after purchase you can store them in your fridge for months. The vegetable counter has been around for a long time, but now it’s time for him to retire. Today, prepared foods are easier to sell because they’re packaged, labeled and delivered right away. A packing line is a must, as is a washing machine. You’ll be able to wash and pack your vegetables on site to ensure they’re clean.

Manufacturers usually rely on logistics centers to help them promote their products abroad. This can make their life easier, as extra tasks are handed off. And it is right. Another thing is that there should be more organization, a clear vision of the movement of goods and, most importantly, an interest in promoting domestic products. Here in Finland, the cost of production of cucumbers is one and a half times higher than in Spain. Even in farms, there’s still a lot of chaos. One year, there wasn’t enough potatoes – we plant potatoes; the next year they failed – there is nowhere to go. But it is necessary to study demand, plan agribusiness and profitable sale of goods in-depth as well. “A lot of people think managing a farm is easy, but it’s usually not.” This perspective isn’t meant for every individual farmer- it’s for the country as a whole. You should know the market situation so you can get better advice.

Knowledge is power, which is why I value good specialists so much. The agronomist on the farm today seems to me to be the conductor of a large orchestra. The whole process depends on his instinct and knowledge since it’s up to him to make sure things come together smoothly. With some work, people earn many times more than those who do little or keep their hands securely in their pockets. For example, someone who works on the land can make several times more than those who sit at home, throwing seeds into the ground.

Not many people can work as farmers and that speaks volume about the affect it has on them. As opposed to other jobs, where a person might not have to come into contact with nature daily, the farmer is always in contact with the land. Famers might not be able to take vacation often because they are busy tending animals and crops every day.

They say figuratively about such people: “the earth rests on them.” They’re not just farmers or conscientious workers, but they’re also pioneers and strategic thinkers. When you’re your own boss, it can be hard to find the time and motivation for any other project. But these people seem to manage their various tasks in a business-like way. One of the main benefits is that they seem to keep unrestricted creative freedom most of the time.

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Unlike many other agro drones that can work on flat and level areas, EAVision drones use combined artificial intelligence-based computer vision and sensor systems to be able to work on hilly and mountainous areas, as well as cascade-type farms. Drones are well oriented and keep their balance while moving among plants with a complex type of vegetation.

They are equipped with a special spraying system that allows treating plants only about a meter away from their tops.

According to the results of tests carried out on a citrus farm in Guangxi province, the drones showed a 90% better spider mite treatment result than traditional operations

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The process of cultivation of living organisms in the last half century has undergone significant changes under the influence of scientific progress, as the food security of mankind has attracted scientific forces to solve the problem of hunger and guarantee safe existence in the future. Agriculture has become one of the most science-intensive industries, and the problems of genetics, breeding, technical and chemical means of raising animals and plants for food have been solved in a historically short time. In the last decade, digitalization has contributed to the efficiency of agriculture and continues to do so.

Both the farmer and the holding company must manage their land, stock the necessary inputs for the production cycle, perform agro-technology operations, and carry out product sales. Agroholdings add the function of human resources and communication between territorial units and headquarters. Both the farmer and the holding company need planning, operations control and strategy.

Digitalization made it possible to accumulate Big Data and work with data, obtaining optimal solutions for further operations. Climate’s (Monsanto) small multifunctional Field View sensor collects data on soil, weeds, pests, crop yields and concentrates them in arrays, combines with drone data and satellite maps, then the system analyzes data and transforms it into technological maps of further activities. Thus, the efficiency of crop production increases fundamentally, as fertilizer application and agrochemical treatments become as accurate as possible, and the seed is used accurately. However, other important issues of the farmer’s activities remain outside the system: the purchase of seed, fertilizers and agrochemicals, fuel and accounting, sales of grown products.

If the systems for monitoring and analyzing agricultural operations contribute to the efficiency of farm production, the comprehensive Farm Management System is designed to relieve the farmer from his office work and equip him with ready-made solutions for running his business.

Full-cycle systems are developed either by large agricultural companies or research institutes, but IT companies are also experimenting in this area.

In the modern sense, Farm Management System is a system that allows to manage the production process from idea to execution control based on the farm database and external monitoring sources with integration of financial management tools.

In the face of climate change and market volatility the farmer must focus on growing processes and respond immediately to significant changes in conditions by leaving accounting, control, purchasing and reporting issues to automation.

The Farm Management System market is now approaching $1.5 billion worldwide and is growing exponentially. There are recognized market leaders. Livestock producers widely use Farm Management System Navfarm, Universal Farm Management software for poultry farm owners, fish farm owners, livestock farm owners, hog farms, dairy distribution companies and other agricultural businesses. ERPNext is an open-source Web application that helps small, medium and corporate businesses manage their accounting, inventory, sales, purchases, production, projects, customer support and Web site. Agsquared helps farmers gather valuable information about their farm operations to help build a complete picture of farm productivity, profitability and sustainability. Farmlogs, Farmlogic, AGRIVI, EasyFarm, Farmbrite, and Croptracker AgroSense are popular. Agworld, for example, is the world’s first collaborative farming solution that allows farmers, crop consultants, farm staff, Precision Farming specialists and operations managers to work as one. ExactFarming is an agricultural decision support system that uses data from field sensors, satellite imagery and equipment to make farmers’ lives easier and their businesses more profitable.

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The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations predicts that by 2050 there will be about 10 billion people on the planet. To feed them, the world needs to increase food production by more than 70%. Standing in the way of impressive growth are tight timeframes, depleting water and land resources, climate change, and geopolitical disasters – factors that could lead the planet to global hunger. To prevent this from happening, agriculture needs to be modernized immediately. New approaches and technologies already exist, but more than any other industry we need people who are ready to put them into practice in the next 20-30 years.

In a world of supermarkets and a confusing variety of foods, it’s hard to imagine that agriculture is a real technology itself. As massive and omnivorous as the internal combustion engine or the computer. Invented 10,000 years ago, it enabled the transition to a settled way of life, the domestication of wild crops, and forever changed the course of history, or rather, gave it life. The Neolithic agrarian revolution opened up enormous reserves of energy to man in the form of accessible food, independent of the luck of hunter-gatherers. Barley, wheat, goats, and sheep all stand in the same evolutionary chain with technology, from a stone cutter to a probe exploring space.

Today, at the mention of agriculture, stereotypical thinking paints a production pastoral: green fields, large barns, animal pens, haystacks, a country road, and farmers. The technological maximum of this picture is a tractor, a combine harvester, and a greenhouse. But this attitude toward farms is at least decades out of date. Advanced agricultural industries use every innovation they can reach: from robots and drones to genetic engineering and experimental physics.

According to renowned Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, rural areas today are the frontier of transformation. A whole world that used to be subject to the changing seasons and tedious farm labor is now a toxic mix of genetic experimentation, science, industrial nostalgia, seasonal migrations, the boom of commercial land redistribution, extensive investment, incentive taxation, investment, and political turmoil. In other words, the countryside is changing much faster and more radically than the most advanced city.

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Also, a new type of farmer who is just emerging in the economic life of the planet, but who promises to have a major impact on it, may not work in the field. We are talking about two trends that are gaining popularity, urban farms and micro-productions. Today, most agricultural products can be grown in a metropolitan area. Hydroponics and vertical design have allowed inventor Jack Eun to create Sky Greens tower farms, each of which takes up only six square meters of space while using significantly less energy and water than conventional production. More than 100 towers have already been installed in Singapore.

PlantLab’s urban farms outperform conventional farming by a factor of 40. A variety of crops are grown here without sunlight, relying on LED lights and an automated system for controlling environmental factors. Panasonic, Fujitsu, and Sharp are also developing new laboratory farming methods. Sharp is growing strawberries using LED lights in Dubai. Panasonic is automating an urban farm with 10 types of vegetables in Singapore. Fujitsu turned an abandoned factory building into a low-potassium lettuce farm for people suffering from kidney inflammation.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

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