Artificial intelligence means that a machine can mimic human intelligence and perform tasks. It happens when human intelligence is defined in a way that a machine can understand. And, AI technology in agriculture can make world a better place.
Artificial Intelligence can perform simple to complex tasks. The objective of machine is to learn, reason-out, and percept.
It helps in automating jobs in various industries. Various tasks become easy with the use of intelligence machinery.
There are several examples of AI in our surroundings. From face recognition in smart phones to self driving cars. AI has diverse applications in various sectors.
Agriculture is one of the oldest and important professions in the world. It is the primary sector in many economies like India.
As, Agriculture development is one of the most important tools to fight extreme poverty. Moreover, agriculture is to feed over 9.7 billion people by 2050. Consequently, it will require an increase of approx. 70% of total agriculture produces worldwide.
In developed economies, it account for more than 4% of Gross Domestic Product. While, in developing economies it accounts for more than 25% of GDP.
More than 1 billion people are engaged in Agriculture. And More than 11% of land is occupied by agriculture globally. In addition, it is also a solution to climate change.
Therefore, we need a smarter approach to become more efficient to make farms more productive.
In this article, we’ll take a quick drive through AI technology in agriculture, and how it can increase the agricultural output.
AI in agriculture technology
Forecasting AI in agriculture 2021-2025
The growing active subscribers of smart phones are contributing significantly to the rise of IOT and AI.
Artificial Intelligence in agriculture is to grow significantly during 2021-2025. It is expected to reach US $32.40 billion by 2025.
Demand for agricultural production is increasing due to a significant rise in global population. Advance technologies, intelligent machineries, and effective data management system can help maintaining demand-supply balance.
This drives the demand for artificial intelligence in agriculture sector.
AI in agriculture sector are in different forms;
Component: (Hardware, software, and services)
Technology: (Machine learning, deep learning, big data analytics, predictive analytics etc.)
Application: (Precision farming, robotics, intelligence machinery, drone, livestock monitoring etc.)
AI techniques in farming can enhance agricultural yield and productivity. Therefore, agri-businesses are adopting AI technology in agriculture in form of predictive analytics.
AI technology in agriculture can help farmers in soil monitoring, controlling pests, produce healthier crops, maintain supply chain, and analyze farm data.
Preparation of soil
It is the initial stage of farming where farmers check whether the soil is fit for the desired crop. And prepare soil using fertilizers, removing weeds, breaking soil clumps etc.
Sowing of seed
At this stage farmers see the distance between two seeds and the depth at which seeds are sown. The weather conditions (Humidity, temperature, rainfall etc.) plays a vital role during this stage.
Adding Nutrients
During this stage farmers add nutrition to soil for healthy crops in form of fertilizers, manure etc.
Irrigation
This is a very crucial stage. This stage helps to keep the soil moist. Under and over watering of plants can hamper the quality, health, and yield of the crops.
Weed Protection
Farmers at this stage protect crops from unwanted plants and pests by removing them. Using pesticides and weedicide. It can hamper the quality and quantity of yield. And can increase production costs.
Harvesting
It is the process of gathering ripe crops from the farms. Removing husks from the crops and cleaning crops.
Storage
This is post harvesting stage where the crops are stored to protect them from external weather, rodents. Food security is important for future use and consumption.
AI technology in agriculture
The agriculture industry is turning towards AI technologies to help yield healthier crops, control pests, monitor soil and growing conditions, analyze data for farmers, and improve various tasks in supply chain management of food.
Every stage of farming is a labor-intensive task. As a result agriculture requires automation.
Let us see the application of AI in agriculture.
Weather forecasting
Increasing pollution and climate change are two major issues faced by farmers today. It makes it difficult for the farmers to determine the right time to sow the seeds. AI helps farmers to determine the seed for a particular weather. It also gives weather forecasting details.
Soil monitoring
AI helps in understanding the nature of soil. It also says about the constituents of the soil. AI helps the farmers by saying what nutrients can they add to enhance the quality of the soil.
Seed Planting
With the help of AI farmers come to know the right time to sow the seed. There are intelligent machines which automatically decide the distance between seeds and depth at which seed can be planted.
Plant Health monitoring system
Health monitoring system is an AI powered system that tells the farmer about the health of the crops, what nutrients should be added to enhance the quality and quantity of the yield.
Automated Tractors
These are automated tractors that produce high torque. It helps in making the farm ready for sowing the seed, and harvesting. Such tractors come with GPS technology, which runs without a driver.
Drone monitoring system
Drones monitoring the health of the crop and farm from a height, capture data and delivers via transmission devices.
Pesticide control
AI recognizes the major plant on the farm and helps in controlling pests. By deciding which pesticides and in what amount it can be used. Moreover, It also Spray pesticides over the crops using drone technology and save time.
Precision farming and predictive analytics
AI technologies tell farmers about accurate and controlled farming methods by proving proper guidance in various ways such as; Water management, crop rotation, time of harvesting, type of crop in the weather, optimum planting, pest control, and nutrition management.
Moreover, Artificial intelligence gives precise information, forecast exact weather conditions, Sowing APP, live images etc. and helps to take better decision to plan their land accordingly.
Conclusion
Agriculture is a labor intensive task. It requires longer human involvement. With rising population and demand of agricultural production Automation becomes a necessity.
Artificial intelligence help farmers throughout the crop lifecycle. In forms of components, technologies, and applications AI give a major help to farmers.
Using predictive analytics and a better farm and crop management system ensures the quality and supply of the crops.
It also enhances the farming method with the help of precision farming. AI technology in agriculture is projected to grow at a large extent by 2025.
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