Farming has come a long way since basic handheld tools were used in the early days of agriculture. In the last 50 years, there have been significant strides made towards modernising farming machinery. From crop-spraying UAVs to remote-controlled tractors, smart farming solutions have updated the way in which one of the oldest industries operates, increasing efficiency and boosting output. So, let’s discover the top five smart farming solutions that are changing our approach to agriculture.
So, what are the top 5 agri-tech covered in the blog?
Today, we benefit from a digital upgrade that’s seen smart farming technologies slowly integrated into everyday tasks. And here at OKdo, you can find the right IoT technologies to help modernise the way you farm.
Sensors
Agricultural sensors and the data that they capture are proving invaluable for farmers. These blend traditional farming methods with IoT to provide a range of functions, including monitoring moisture and temperature levels. The sensors capture information which is transmitted wirelessly, allowing farmers to see at a glance any areas that need their attention.
One area to which this applies is watering and irrigation. Getting the water levels right for a crop is crucial, so creating a smart watering system by linking up sensors to a single-board computer can build a smart farm setup at the touch of a button. Likewise, optical sensors can assess soil humidity and capture data on the levels of clay and minerals.
By setting up smart agricultural sensors and programming IoT tech, it’s possible to gauge and adjust watering schedules and plan ahead to when crops can be harvested, based on the data captured.
Robotics
There are different applications for robotics in agriculture. One of the main ways in which this is being done is via machinery. While the heavy-duty machines will always have a place in farming, agricultural robotics can be programmed to do everything from simple pick-and-pack tasks to crop monitoring and wide-scale harvesting.
Agricultural robotics can be programmed to do everything from simple pick-and-pack tasks to crop monitoring and wide-scale harvesting.
These robots come in different designs and can do basic pre-programmed tasks. For instance, the robot might be used for crop picking and feature a picking arm. Sensors can be added in order for the robot to distinguish between ripe and unripe fruit.
However, in some cases, these smart automatons can be responsive to their environment and capture data. For example, the robot might be able to weed a field and prune plants.
They can be a valuable solution to issues such as staff shortages, rising costs and even human error.
Drones
Unmanned arial vehicles (UAVs) – or drones – are helping farmers to plan ahead. These are smart farming technologies that allow farmers to gather data in real-time to assess their land, enhancing decision-making and boosting productivity. Some of the main uses for drones in agriculture include surveying and mapping out where crops can be planted, running checks on crop health and flagging any signs of disease.
Drones in agriculture are ideal for surveying and mapping out where crops can be planted, running checks on crop health and flagging any signs of disease.
Drones can be easily operated and moved around a farmer’s land, relaying images without any workers on the farm having to go out and walk through fields. This frees up time and allows farmers to act quickly if there are any issues, as well as arming them with information that will help them to decide how a crop rotation will look in the coming seasons.
Cloud software
Agriculture cloud computing goes hand-in-hand with sensors and data captured by drones and robotics. However, it’s crucial to recognise it as a standalone digital form of smart farming tech as it’s essential for assimilating the data obtained.
Cloud-based software helps farmers manage output, forecast production and manage quality, as well as empowering government agricultural decision-making. Here, the wireless sensors capture the information and machine-learning algorithms examine this information, sending it to computers and smart devices that are connected, where farmers can see the state of play and decide how they want to proceed.
Cloud-based software helps farmers manage output, forecast production and manage quality, as well as empowering government agricultural decision-making.
Security technologies
As well as practical farming solutions, there are other forms of smart tech that can be used on farms. One of these is automated security solutions.
By creating a more digitally advanced security setup, farmers protect their land. Without measures in place, a security breach could disrupt food supply chains and affect other types of output, such as dairy supplies and livestock.
By introducing smart technologies like motion and perimeter sensors, GPS tags and CCTV, it’s possible to make farmland even more secure. These tools empower farmers by letting them know if boundary fences have been breached, controlling site access and tackling rural-based crime. For instance, adding smart trackers that link to the cloud can make it easier to recover stolen goods.
Introduce smart farming technologies to your land
As a farm owner, you’ll know that embracing innovations can be beneficial for both you and your workers. Whether you opt to introduce smart water systems or plan on bringing in robots to pick and harvest your produce, it’s possible not only to get the job done but to make plans for the future of your farm.
Linking sensors to a single-board computer like ROCK, for instance, can be a real game-changer, thanks to its capabilities. It’s also got all the functionality in place to introduce new innovations to your land.
For more inspiration, check out our dedicated Smart Agriculture hub or our collection of projects and guides. Got a question about how to create a smart farm? Feel free to contact our friendly team.
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