adminToday, the Internet of Things is involved in almost everything, which means it is becoming part of every sector, industry, and daily life. Everything would be entirely in vain if we did not utilize this otherworldly technology for the betterment and improvement of agriculture.
We all know that with the increasing population, we need to improve the agriculture industry to meet the primary demand of every individual. Till now, with the help of digital technology, we have been able to solve some of the most significant issues existing in society, including food insecurity which is prevalent across the world.
Combining IoT, bioengineering, and urban farming methods can be a perfect and situation-meeting solution to enhance agricultural production in developed and undeveloped countries. Modern food production methods are already failing to meet the rising demands. So, it has become high time for all the agriculture industry leaders to focus on it.
We all know that the large-scale farming that is crucial to feeding an ever-increasing population is complex and challenging in a number of ways. On one side, agricultural production on a large scale causes a terrible effect on the planet through greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and the use of monoculture. On another side, a sudden pest infestation or disease can damage entire crop fields and contaminate the soils for years.
As per the research conducted by the United Nations (UN), the world’s population will exceed 9 billion by 2050, which means the requirement for 60 per cent more food production to feed everyone. The UN further states that sustainability is a critical component in handling agricultural systems and production in the future. In order to overcome the challenges and meet the needs, agricultural systems managers are trying to reach solutions by switching to technologies.
Using bioengineering, IoT, and other technologies can increase plants’ longevity, distribution, and even natural resistance against different diseases.
What are the Challenges for Agriculture Industry?
We all know the importance of the agricultural industry. The introduction of agriculture replaced the traditional nomadic cultures and planted the seeds for modern society. The earliest farmers domesticated plants and animals, and with the time being, high crop yield evolved.
In the 21st century, monoculture evolved as a low-cost, high-yield method of agriculture production. Though it provides enormous benefits, still it brings many problems like:
- The adoption and practice of monoculture involve the continuous plantation of the same crop in the same field for years, reducing the soil nutrients.
- Monoculture farms are also vulnerable to pests and disease, which sometimes damages the total yield in a single infestation.
However, bioengineering can help in disease eradication; at least, it has been proven in human beings. As per reports published by the University of California Riverside, scientists have been using bioengineering to stamp out deadly diseases like malaria.
For instance, when genetically modified mosquitoes were released into the wild, malaria cases decreased by 37 per cent. Similarly, bioengineering technology can be employed for agriculture production by leaders in the industry to reduce disease and eradicate pests.
Analyzing Data and Bridging Gaps with IoT:
Innovative bioengineering methods are helpful but cannot eradicate hunger without help from the agricultural IoT. Data shared by IoT can provide valuable insight into what can work and what does not in different locations worldwide. Agricultural sensor technology is already part of countries like Germany, China, and the United States, and we have gathered a lot from the information provided by IoT connected devices.
Smart agriculture devices gather data, from soil quality to moisture content, and it even monitors livestock health. Sensors attached to the equipment can monitor the health of equipment to ensure that machines are running correctly and do not face any mechanical issues. Farmers can use sensors to identify the potential source of waste like water and pesticides and can utilize the data to make informed decisions to reduce unwanted costs without negotiating with the health of the soil.
Sensors, along with IoT connected devices, can be beneficial for the agriculture industry as they can streamline the process of food from the farm to the dining table. Distribution of the produce is also essential, and IoT helps in this process also.
Reducing food insecurity in urban areas:
Food insecurity is becoming a prominent expression globally, but it can differ at different locations. Generally, city people are not in touch with nature and are deprived of natural food sources; and it is necessary to provide healthy food access to the ever-increasing urban population. With the integration of advanced technology like IoT and bioengineering, some agricultural industry leaders are looking for a solution, and urban farming has come up as an option to combat food insecurity.
For example,
San Francisco has become an example of feeding urban populations where at an indoor farm run by Plenty Inc., crops are grown in a carefully managed environment equipped with plenty of sensor monitors. To save space, crops are planted vertically rather than the traditional way that is in garden beds. Upon harvest, the bulk produced is distributed and sold locally.
Conclusion
The agriculture industry is broad and more complicated than one has imagined. However, advanced technology like bioengineering is at the vanguard of change for agricultural production. Farmers and agricultural industry leaders can utilize data from IoT to make better-informed decisions which ultimately improves crop production and potentially improves public health.