As technology continues to advance, it is having a significant impact on agriculture. From precision farming to blockchain, technology is enabling farmers to become more efficient and sustainable. This article explores how the integration of agriculture and technology is shaping the future of farming and providing better prospects for farmers.
The world is quickly transforming into a digital ecosystem, with changes affecting every aspect of human activity. Agriculture in India has seen some amount of technological penetration and acceptance, resulting in industry change. Agriculture contributes significantly to the country’s foreign exchange earnings, bringing in $41.25 billion in exports in 2021 and accounting for almost 17% of India’s GDP. Yet, the country has yet to realize its full agricultural potential, and observers believe that technology will be the game changer.
A benefit-enhancing melting pot
Agriculture is one of the most significant pillars of the Indian economy, employing more than 60% of the population. Agriculture technology has grown from the Stone Age to the digital era over millennia, with agricultural equipment progressing from simple hoes to fully mechanised ridgers, planters, watering/irrigation devices, harvesters, millers, and so on. Yet, adoption of new technology in the Indian Agri area is still low, and estimates suggest that adopting new technology will save Indian farmers at least $16 per year, saving the country more than $2 billion per year. This is significant since estimates suggest that adopting new technologies may save Indian farmers at least $16 per year, saving the country more than $2 billion each year.
Future possibilities and new technology
The new technology utilised by highly automated farms in India are the most essential aspects in this essay. These technologies include data science, drones, artificial intelligence, and e-commerce platforms. Farmers must use data science to understand how their decisions affect yields. Precision agriculture relies on drones to monitor crop health, identify pests and diseases, scout crops, and assess soil health. In India, artificial intelligence (AI) is the future of agriculture, and Kisan Drones are already being used for crop evaluations, land records, and pesticide spraying.
Lastly, farmers must be enabled by technology to maximise the value of their work, such as by linking them to markets through e-commerce platforms. This would help farmers regain negotiating power and reduce their reliance on unethical brokers and middlemen.
Agriculture and technology have had a terrific partnership in recent years, but more has to be done to attain greater success. This involves incentivizing farmers to use new technology through government incentives and collaborations, as well as localizing emerging technologies to make them more accessible and inexpensive to Indian farmers.
