Every economy in the world relies on agriculture to provide food for their growing populations and a source of income for others. As populations worldwide continue to grow, it has become essential to increase agricultural productivity to meet the needs of different communities.
Sadly, not all methods of increasing productivity consider the possible strain on the environment.
Fortunately, technology has provided a way of balancing the need for increased production with sustainability. Farmers can increase their production rate through technology-oriented farming without harming the environment.
Incorporating technology into farming can be challenging for a new farmer. That is why we are here to break this down for you.
What Is Sustainable Farming
Farmers often have a close relationship with the environment. The more a farmer takes care of their environment, the more likely he is to get a better yield. Sustainable farming practices use environmentally friendly agricultural practices to increase production by U.S. soybean farmers and producers. You can also refer to U.S. Soy latest news and updates to know more in-depth information
In sustainable farming, the farmer thinks about the following before making a decision:
- Will the farming method harm the environment?
- Does it help conserve the environment?
- Will it compromise the interests of future generations?
- Is it economically viable?
Using technology in farming can help farmers answer all these questions with a resounding yes.
How Can Technology Help In Sustainable Farming For Increased Productivity?
Technology and farming never seem to go together. Therefore, one can understand why you would be surprised that farmers can use technology to increase their production rate without harming the environment.
Technology is critical in farming in the following ways:
Strategic Planning Before Farming
Any good farmer knows that before starting to farm, it is vital to plan. In the past, farmers only needed to know about regular weather patterns and what crops could work in a region.
However, as weather patterns change in modern times, old methods have become very inefficient.
Technology can help farmers evaluate different aspects of the land through close analysis. A farmer using technology to farm will have the best insights into the technical aspects of the ground, such as soil and mineral content.
Using these insights, it is easy for the farmer to know what crops to plant and which ones will yield the most produce. As a result, they won’t waste resources on trial and error.
Precision Farming
Sustainability demands that farmers work accurately to avoid wasting resources and posing a strain on the environment. Any farmer who wants to be precise when farming must therefore use technology.
Precision farming focuses on accurately planning every aspect of agriculture to reduce the margin of error. Here is how it is done.
A precision farmer can start by using a drone to plant the seeds in predetermined areas. Therefore, no seeds will be wasted during the farming process.
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Secondly, the farmer will know what fertilizer to apply at every point in the season. Precision farming will allow farmers to increase their yield without negatively affecting the environment.
Efficient Irrigation Using Technology
Farmers in regions that experience scanty rainfall might have to perform irrigation to ensure their crops do not wilt. The temptation for farmers to use a lot of water in irrigation is always a concern for sustainability advocates.
Technology can go a long way in making farming easier for an irrigation farmer.
For starters, soil moisture sensors can effectively monitor the soil’s moisture levels. That way, farmers will only add water to the ground when needed. A good farmer can also link a drip irrigation system to the sensors so the irrigation only starts when moisture levels are low.
Sustainable Energy Sources
A farm uses energy in many ways. When farming, a farmer might need energy for greenhouses, powering different places in the farm, and heat for livestock, farmers can avoid using fossil fuels as energy sources while increasing their productivity through technology.
For example, farmers can use solar and wind energy to power different regions in the farm without reducing product quality. Biogas from animal waste can also provide an efficient energy source to substitute fossil fuels.
All these will help the farmer maintain a high production rate while maintaining sustainability.
5. Sustainable Monitoring
Farmers working on large tracts of land need technology to help them monitor their farms. Without technology, a farmer would have to move around the farm physically. However, with drones and other monitoring technologies, the process is easier.
As a result, the farmer will identify pests and diseases very early to avoid unexpected incidents.
Once a farmer monitors their farm effectively, they will notice a marked increase in productivity over time. This will be encouraging to them as they will help meet the demands of their customers.
Parting Shot
Technology has transformed many aspects of the modern world, including agriculture. As farmers try to increase their productivity rates while maintaining sustainability, technology can be a beneficial tool. Agriculture technology can help farmers plan effectively, plant accurately, and monitor their crops throughout the season.
Farmers that use technology on their farms will enjoy high rates of production and the profits that accompany them. Some might argue that the old farming methods have always worked and would resist change. Do not be such a farmer. Adopt technology and watch your farm bloom.
