The agricultural industry is currently experiencing the fourth revolution thanks to the development and implementation of innovative technologies. Information and communication technologies make farms more productive and enable all agribusiness participants to make better decisions. Many companies create reliable software solutions that make farmers more informed about the state of their crops and give them a chance to react to the changes in time. You can find out how it works on eos.com.
Innovations play a crucial role in increasing agricultural production and profits. Various intelligent farming devices have given farmers greater control in both the livestock industry and the process of growing crops. Both industries have become more predictable and efficient. It also helps farmers to meet the increasing demand for food. Improving the sustainability of agriculture is also one of the main benefits of innovation.
1. Crop monitoring and management tools
Smart weather stations are widely used in the agricultural sector. They include various IoT sensors that are located in the field. These sensors collect environmental data and send it to the cloud. With this data, climatic conditions can be mapped to help you select the most suitable plants for your weather conditions and increase productivity.
Besides, among the systems based on IoT technology, there are devices for crop management. They collect data, including temperature, rainfall, soil moisture data, and the crops’ general health. This valuable information gives farmers the ability to control crop growth and respond on time to changes and threats. In addition, this way, you ensure your yield is safe from various diseases and pests before severe damage is done.
2. Precision farming tools
At the heart of the concept of precision farming is to improve the efficiency of data-driven decisions. The Internet of Things also plays a significant role in the work of this concept. Farmers get a wide range of indicators that the sensors collect. This list includes data on plant and soil health, lighting, humidity, carbon dioxide levels, diseases, and more.
Precision farming makes an outstanding contribution to preserving the environment. Farmers do not need, for example, to completely treat the fields with pesticides. Sensors allow you to determine which areas require chemical treatment. Thanks to the data, farmers can determine how much water and other resources the plants need, including fertilizers and pesticides. As a result, the level of water pollution will decrease.
Some systems allow farmers to create an individual strategy for growing each crop. These systems also work thanks to sensors that detect various parameters of environmental conditions. You can also combine sensor data with geospatial data and create accurate soil maps for any of your fields. These technologies give farmers a variety of tools and options to increase their yields and improve sustainability.
3. Smart irrigation tools
Without proper irrigation, food production is impossible. However, there is also a problem associated with the excessive use of water in agriculture, so producers are constantly looking for ways to use this resource rationally. Various innovations help to achieve sustainable irrigation. For example, wireless systems give farmers remote control and monitoring capabilities. Such systems help improve irrigation control and make better decisions about water use and chemical application.
4. Digital sensors
Precision farming relies heavily on the use of digital sensors. They collect environmental data and track all aspects of farming. Thanks to the sensor, we have access to data on the movement of livestock, microclimate, soil, and much more. This technology continues to evolve. In the future, it will provide even more possibilities for obtaining data and making more effective decisions based on it.
5. Agricultural drones
Drones make it possible to observe the harvest from the sky, which can be very important for large farms. With cameras attached to drones, farmers can monitor crops more closely.
The use of drones also contributes to the early detection of pests and diseases. Also, thanks to this technology, it is possible to provide plants with more efficient watering. An agricultural drone looks like a small helicopter or quadcopter. An autopilot controls unmanned aerial vehicles via GPS. These control systems are equipped with a point-and-shoot camera. Self-driving is carried out by software without human intervention. The software also controls the camera, sorts, and stores images. It is a great way to see what is inaccessible from the ground and monitor crops’ condition.
6. Fleet management tools
Fleet management in agriculture is not easy. However, telemetry and GPS systems are making a positive difference in the industry. Among these systems, there are simpler ones that help locate the equipment being used, and those that are more complex provide accurate data on fuel consumption and warn about the need for equipment maintenance. Thanks to these systems, it is also possible to analyze the data obtained and determine the areas that need specific resources. For farmers, this is an opportunity to use the equipment as efficiently as possible.
7. End-to-end farm management systems
Farm Performance Management Systems is a more comprehensive approach to IoT products. These systems include IoT devices and sensors that are installed in the fields. The control panel is an integral part of the system, which provides excellent analytical capabilities and reporting functions. Control systems also offer automation, vehicle tracking, and logistics. With these tools, your remote monitoring capabilities are enhanced, and you can optimize various business operations.
8. Greenhouse automation tools
IoT sensors allow you to remotely monitor the state of crops and climate conditions in the greenhouse. You can get real-time information about temperature, lighting, moisture, and soil conditions. Moreover, greenhouse automation systems allow you to monitor the conditions in the greenhouse and adjust them following the parameters that you specify. Also, thanks to automation systems, farmers can control irrigation and lighting systems. It is a great opportunity to save money and time, as well as reduce labor costs.
Final Thoughts
Today, farmers can choose from various innovative solutions to help them remotely inspect the health of their crops. IoT systems play a vital role in this, including multiple sensors providing soil and crop state data. Sensor systems and software make farmers more aware of the crop’s health, so they can timely eliminate threats and take adequate measures to protect the crop.