Agriculture is enduring a technological transformation

The main factor boosting agriculture productivity and encouraging agriculture development has been technological advancements. In the past, choosing and implementing technology was done to raise farm revenues and production productivity. The choice of technology, the amount of agricultural production, and farming techniques have all been significantly influenced by policies for agriculture, trade, research and development, education, training, and guidance throughout a long period of time. All these technologies are being used more and more in agriculture to advance it.

Introduction

A significant portion of revenue is still generated through agriculture, which also feeds many people worldwide. In recent years, there have been substantial improvements and adjustments made to the various farming systems and methods. For example, different tractors and pieces of equipment are currently in use, inorganic fertilizer is being used, less insecticide is being consumed, and remote sensing is being used. Because these inputs are readily available, it is now vital to harness natural resources and processes in order to boost agricultural productivity and cut costs. The use of modern technology in agriculture has several benefits. Using insecticides, fertilizers, herbicides, and improved seeds are just a few examples of how technology may be used in agriculture.

Adoption of technologies

The adoption of innovations with the potential to support sustainable agricultural systems. However, technology adoption is a broad term. Farm capital and other inputs, as well as education, training, advice, and information that serve as the foundation of farmers’ knowledge, all have an impact on the development, diffusion, and use of both new and existing biological, chemical, and mechanical approaches at the farm level. It also includes all agri-food industry activities and technology that influence farms. Finally, it should be remembered that most of these new technologies come from industries other than agriculture.

Agriculture continues to play a significant role in the creation of income and provides food for many people worldwide. The various farming systems and techniques have seen significant adjustments and progress in recent years. For instance, there are currently various tractors and pieces of machinery being used, inorganic fertilizer is being used, less insecticide is being consumed, and remote sensing is being used. Due to the availability of these inputs, it has become necessary to harness natural resources and processes in order to increase agricultural output and lower costs. There are several advantages to using contemporary technologies in agriculture. The application of herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, and enhanced seeds are just a few examples of how technology in agriculture can be applied. The agricultural industry has found technology to be incredibly helpful throughout time. Currently, crops can be grown in places where it was previously believed they couldn’t, but this is only feasible because of agricultural biotechnology.

For instance, genetic engineering has made it possible to insert genes into different crops or animal genes. Such engineering increases the crops’ resistance to pests and drought.
Technologies used in the Agricultural sector The main purpose of making use of technologies in the agricultural sector is to lead to an increase in production so that sufficient food is available to individuals.

Various technologies have been stated as follows:
1) Biotechnology
Food crops may yield more and be more resistant to biotic and abiotic problems if biotechnology techniques are used in agriculture. Given the rising demand for food, the effects of climate change, and the shortage of both land and water, this could alleviate the situation and improve food supplies. Herbicide resistance is the type of genetic engineering that most people have probably heard about. The other might be traits that make people resistant to insects. To manage pests that could harm the crops, insecticides and pesticides are used. Most frequently, technological toxins that are also present in some organic pesticides are used. The pesticides and insecticides used on crops should be of high quality, easy for plants to adapt to and contribute to increased output. Genetically modified crops such as soybean, corn, cotton, and canola were planted on global arable land, but most of these crops were not grown primarily for direct use. Biotechnology has helped Pakistan growers experience a 15–20% reduction in food insecurity.

2) Nanotechnology

Agriculture can benefit from the use of nanotechnology in multiple ways. It can support soil fertility, balanced crop nutrition, efficient weed control, carbon nanotube-enhanced seed emergence, delivery of agricultural chemicals, field sensing systems to monitor crop conditions and environmental stresses, and enhancement of plant traits to withstand environmental stresses and diseases. Significant prospects for the creation of novel goods and uses for agriculture, water treatment, food production, processing, preservation, and packaging are made possible by nanotechnology. The food business, farmers, and consumers all stand to gain from its use. In some nations, consumers can purchase food, health food products, and food packaging materials made with nanotechnology. Additional products and applications are currently in the research and development stage.

3) Protected Cultivation

Production of horticultural crops has increased both qualitatively and quantitatively in protected cultivation, often known as greenhouse cultivation. In Pakistan, there are now 22.04 million hectares under agriculture. Having restrictions on the following:
❖ Land ownership
❖ Prompt urbanization
❖ Reduced crop productivity
❖ Decreased biodiversity
❖ An ever-expanding population

Vegetables are in higher and more protected demand due to protected cultivation. These elements have provided a fresh perspective on how to generate more in a small space. The nicest thing about growing crops in greenhouses is that it’s a dangerous endeavour. The ability to effectively manage risk and reduce it is its most potent benefit. Our plants won’t be dependent on weather patterns or conditions after we build our own greenhouse. Different methods might be used in our greenhouse to maintain a constant temperature. We will be able to cause the plants less stress in this way. Additionally, we’ll encourage robust growth earlier in the year. Thermal solar mass is one of the best methods. On this basis, we’ll also use heaters created by people and heating fans. A plastic material called polycarbonate is used to store, absorb, and then release heat.

4) Farm Mechanization:

Pakistan has a large proportion of labourers (45%). Farmers become more impoverished as a result of less profitable farming methods. One of the most crucial elements for increasing production in farm mechanisation and the employment of contemporary tools, machines, equipment, and gadgets for the timely and efficient completion of tasks in agricultural fields. Small machines that are appropriate for horticultural operations in the mountains and hills will increase the utility of the operation and farm income. Farm mechanisation will contribute to a reduction in costs while increasing overall productivity.

Farm mechanisation can aid in saving:
❖ Between 15% and 20% off seeds
❖ Fertilizer savings of 15% to 20%
❖ Increase cropping intensity by 5 to 20%,
❖ Time savings of 20 to 30 per cent
❖ reduction of 20 to 30 per cent in manual labour
❖ 10-15% overall increase in farm productivity.

One of the challenges that farmers face nowadays is the need to satisfy labour. There is an increasing cost of labour, which calls for better approaches to ensure lower costs of labour. The introduction of combined harvesters and planters simplifies the process. Production and time are some of the important elements in agriculture. It is therefore important to plant early, harvest on time, as well as ensure that the yield is stored at the right time. The use of modern technology in agriculture ensures that farmers grow a vast amount of food in the shortest time possible.

Swath Control: It is a planter or application machine control system that uses GPS. Sprayers, combines, and tractors that operate automatically and without a driver have all been developed using GPS technology. Such technology is crucial to agriculture because it encourages better, more productive farming methods. For instance, tracking systems are included in autopilot tractors and sprayers, which prevent human error and ultimately save money on fuel and equipment. Less use of inputs like seeds, fertilizers, insecticides, pesticides, herbicides, etc., results in cost savings. Because fields are uneven in terms of size and shape, there will always be some degree of overlap.

5) Crop sensors:
It is still a difficult task in agriculture to choose which fertilizers are best for which plants, when to apply them, and in what quantities. This is especially true when it comes to pesticide application. By using crop sensors, farmers may find it simple and effective to use as much fertilizer and insecticide as their crops require. In such circumstances, variable rate technology is useful. With the use of such technology, you can detect how your plants are feeling, which will enable you to lessen the likelihood of leaching or surface runoff. Crop sensors are made to tell the application equipment how much of a certain resource a given crop needs and when it needs it.

6) Use of modern irrigation methods
The availability of water is the most important factor in boosting agricultural output. In Pakistan, the agricultural sector uses over 95% of the country’s water supply, with the remaining portion going to industry, drinking water, and other uses. More than 60% of the country’s arable land lacks adequate irrigation systems, so dry land agriculture should be the main priority. Numerous demand management strategies and programmes have been implemented to conserve water and improve the water consumption efficiency in Pakistani agriculture in response to the rapidly declining irrigation water potential and rising demand for water from other sectors. As 40% of the world’s food is produced on just 18% of the irrigated acreage, irrigation is essential to the world’s food supply. Micro-irrigation is used on less than 4% of the world’s irrigated land.

7) Chatbot technology in agriculture
A chatbot is a computer programme that manages quick conversations with any online respondent and provides instant responses. It makes sense that farmers would want advice on the weather, crop trends, farming methods, government programmes, and other important topics. It can be easily given to farmers by a chatbot. Chatbots provide real-time, artificial intelligence-based advice to farmers. Farmers can develop a comprehensive plan with the aid of chatbots.

8) Mobile Technology
The use of mobile technology has significantly increased productivity in the modern world. It has a crucial influence on the monitoring and management of crop irrigation systems. Instead of driving to every field, a farmer can control his irrigation systems by using the proper equipment. These processes are being greatly facilitated by computers and mobile devices. The amount of moisture present at different soil depths can be communicated by moisture sensors buried in the ground. This results in more precise control over the water and other inputs, such as mineral fertilizer, insecticides, and pesticides by irrigation pivots.

9) Use of GPS in field documentation

GPS is a widely used technology in agriculture. Using the GPS, it is simple to determine and note the yields from a specific farm as well as the application rates. Because they enable farmers to base their decisions on information that has been gathered and documented, these technologies are advantageous. The suggested documentation technology is the yield map, which can be used to present an overview of all the year’s activities. These maps can offer a variety of information, including the state of the drainage system in your area, and are therefore quite helpful. The farmer can better align his strategy with the use of information on weather patterns, crop demand, land mapping, distribution routes, and market rates. Farmers can get quality insights on environmental factors and the latest farming techniques through various tools.

10) Robotics in Agriculture
Agricultural robots are highly specialised technological devices that can help farmers with a variety of tasks. They can be programmed to grow and evolve to meet the requirements of different tasks, and they can analyse, consider, and perform a variety of tasks. There are a huge variety of tasks that agricultural robots can perform for farmers to make their lives easier. Their main responsibility is to complete laborious, repetitive, and physically taxing tasks. However, robots are now, however, being used for a variety of specialised tasks that were previously only performed by skilled farmers. Picking out delicate produce like lettuce and strawberries is one example of this.

The market for robotics alone has been expanding for a while and is expected to reach USD 23.67 billion in 2020. By 2026, this is projected to grow to an astounding USD 74 billion, with agricultural robots accounting for a sizable share of this expansion.

11) Phenomics in Agriculture
Phenomics is concerned with the measurement of phenomes, where a phenome is a set of phenotypes (physical and biochemical traits) that can be produced by a given organism over the course of development and in response to genetic mutation and environmental influences. In-plant sciences, phenomics research occurs in both field and controlled environments. Field phenomics encompasses the measurement of phenotypes that occur in both cultivated and natural conditions.

Different characters can be phenotype with the help of phenotyping and a different number of gadgets are used to measure these characters. Some of these gadgets are:
❖ RBG Colour Imaging
❖ Multi-spectral Imaging
❖ Hyper-spectral
❖ Imaging in the Near-Infrared
❖ Imaging in the Far Infrared
❖ Fluorescence Imaging
❖ 7)LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging)
❖ Three-dimensional Imaging

Technology Prospects in Agriculture:

Over the past 50 years, the agriculture industry has undergone a significant transformation. Farm equipment has become larger, faster, and more productive because of technological advancements, allowing for the more effective cultivation of large regions. Additionally, substantially enhanced seed, irrigation, and fertilizer have helped farmers boost harvests. Currently, agriculture is in the early stages of a new revolution, one that is driven by connectivity and data. Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, analytics, linked sensors, and others could boost yields, even more, increase the effectiveness of water and other inputs, and foster sustainability and resilience in crop agriculture.
GPS technology, temperature and moisture sensors, and robotics will all be used in agriculture in the future. Thanks to this cutting-edge equipment, robotic systems, and precision agriculture techniques, farms will be able to be more productive, efficient, safe, and environmentally friendly.

Additionally, as Pakistan is a developing country, we are concentrating on boosting crop productivity. All these innovations contribute, either directly or indirectly, to higher agricultural yields. Since the world’s population is growing every day, it will be challenging to grow enough food to feed such a large population without expanding the area under cultivation. In this instance, these technologies serve to meet the current crop needs.