The Role of Sensors in Precision Agriculture Technology |
Posted: April 22, 2019 |
Food security is a concern that plagues many underdeveloped countries around the world. To achieve higher yields and meet the demand of a burgeoning global population, agricultural engineers continue to innovate smart technology for precise crop production, while at the same time minimise the use of resources such as water and reduce environmental impact. The earliest application of smart agriculture began when GPS became available for general use. Farmers used the technology to map fields and control the application of fertilizer. This article will further explore the importance of different sensor technologies in agricultural businesses, and how the innovations in these technologies directly impact the capability of small and big farms globally to improve production. Different sensors used in agriculture There are several types of sensing technologies used in agriculture, and these sensors are helping farmers monitor their crops and increase yield. In addition to monitoring production, these sensors are also crucial in the capability to adapt to changing environmental factors.
These examples are only a few of the modern applications of sensors in agriculture. The output of these various sensors provides actionable information which when implemented, can help increase crop yield, while also reducing the environmental impact of agricultural practices. Global impact of modern agricultural practices using sensor technology Precision agriculture technology is slowly becoming more available to various parts of the world. These days, even small farmers can use handheld devices to measure soil health which allows farmers to apply fertilizer accurately. Since the world population is projected to increase by more than half by the year 2050, advanced agriculture will help farmers around the world cope with the higher demand. In addition to increasing production, technology will also help farmers solve many of the problems that used to affect yield and profitability. Some of the additional benefits of precision agriculture include reduced carbon emissions, reduced chemical use, and maximised water use and efficiency.
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