AI has been everywhere, and that’s no different for the agriculture industry. Since 1974 the world’s population has doubled, and by 2038 there should be 9 billion people on the planet. Have you thought about how all of these people will be fed? On average, a person requires 2000 calories a day; the world needs to up its food production to meet growing demand, whilst dealing with a number of challenges, like climate change that will further strain resources. This blog will explain how AI can be used in the agriculture industry.
In agriculture today, farmers need to understand soils and their fertilisers expertly, due to so many factors such as weather and pests. Did you know that pests damage up to 40% of crops every year? So there needs to be an overproduction of what we need to factor the damage in. Other factors, like urbanisation has also affected farming, as well as the shift away from farming in general, there is an increasing labour shortage, so now is a better time than ever to make farming more reliant on technology.
Automated agriculture currently has around 200 AI-based start-ups in the US, for example, tractors and harvesters that drive themselves and robots that inspect crops. Companies are using AI to gather data to ensure their environment is best suited for the crops' nutrition. There is also technology that can work out the differences between crops and weeds, how useful is this for the herbicide to be applied in a more targeted way? This can help with food waste, as wasted food takes up more water, energy, and land, along with greenhouse gases.
Using AI in agriculture will make you more productive and will reduce your waste. To make the most of this technology you should focus on:
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Constant monitoring and learning
The more data you have the better, so you can improve as many parts of your production as possible. If you have constant information about your growth you can make adjustments as and when needed, not when it’s too late when crops have been ruined, or damaged by pests.
An individual crop can give you a range of data, from the weather to its environment and more. Getting as many insights as possible is key to having the best production, taste, and value. In the long term, this can help you increase your yield and cut waste.
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Use a variety of data types
Video, sensors, and computer vision technology can be used to gather data on your agriculture. Having a mix allows you to capture a range of factors.
Impressed? The agricultural industry is benefitting and will continue to benefit from AI. Here at Robert Cupitt, we provide high-quality and innovative solutions for agricultural equipment and machinery. Click here to find out more.
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