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Digital transformation in agriculture
Innovation and technological advancements are increasingly evident in farmers' agricultural practices. The integration of information technologies in agriculture simplifies people's lives and continuously improves the productivity of agricultural activities. The constant transformations in agriculture in recent years have shown that implementing an integrated agricultural management system contributes to efficient, sustainable, and profitable production.
International studies establish that the world's population will reach 9.6 billion by 2050. The demand for agricultural production will increase by 70%, while the available land for this growth can only expand by 5%. Industrial agriculture is responsible for 24% of greenhouse gas emissions, 70% of annual freshwater consumption, and up to 60% of biodiversity loss. Digital transformation is imperative to improve the sustainability and productivity of food systems, but this requires collaboration between government and the sector. In 2021, a qualitative change was noted, reflected in the global total of $18.9 billion in private investments in agrifood technologies and smart farming enterprises, representing an 85% increase from 2020.
Digital transformation in agriculture does not just mean careful resource management to streamline agricultural processes. Digital agriculture uses multiple tools, procedures, and technologies aimed at optimizing production, both qualitatively and quantitatively, according to farmers' needs. Recently, new methods of increasing crop productivity have been sought, along with simplifying agricultural processes. The core technologies described below are key elements of an integrated digital transformation-based agricultural process management system.
· Agricultural Drones
Drones or unmanned aerial vehicles are high-tech tools for efficient agriculture. Besides helping farmers assess their lands without physically traveling to them, drones perform multiple functions in agriculture: field mapping; surveillance and monitoring of extensive crops; monitoring pests and diseases; irrigation efficiency and pesticide application; real-time transmission of crop status, possible anomalies, and water requirements.
The cost of a drone ranges between 4000–8000 euros, but it is worth noting that, depending on the equipment attached to it, the price of a drone with a spectral camera can increase up to 40,000 euros.
A widely used tool in precision agriculture, drones have revolutionized the agricultural sector in many regions. According to the country's legislative framework, drones must be registered with the Civil Aviation Authority, complying with the applicable laws.
· Coordination of Mechanical Works through Info-Communication Systems
The advantage of digital info-communication systems is that they can be installed on any agricultural machinery equipped with power steering. Typically, this system includes a monitor and a receiver that can control the machinery. All you need to do is monitor the telemetry of the process.
This global positioning technology allows for various agricultural operations (soil seeding, chemical fertilization, etc.) to be executed with maximum accuracy; precise soil sample localization; data collection and analysis of plantations; field or plantation mapping; harvest monitoring and inspection; production mapping.
Using communication infrastructure in agriculture allows farmers to work in harsh conditions or low visibility, being considered an efficient practice with low implementation costs.
· Use of Agricultural Apps
Information technology is present everywhere in precision agriculture. Agricultural apps help farmers manage their work with minimal labor. Monitoring applied procedures, quantities of products used, soil and weather conditions, among others, are important pieces of information obtained with the help of these apps. Moreover, through these apps, processes coordinated through GPS can be controlled, enhancing the quality of services and planting processes, resulting in more competitive products on the market.
· Mechanization of Planting
With agricultural mechanization, various farmer tasks have been facilitated, starting to be performed with the help of advanced machinery. A commonly used practice in precision agriculture is the use of planting machines, which facilitate farmers' work and help save precious time. Mechanized planting involves using small tractors suitable for all types of crops. These machines have a system that ensures planting, using a disk, at the appropriate distance, allowing for more rows per land area. At the same time, mechanized planting tractors have water barrels for irrigating crops.
A new technology in mechanized planting that has revolutionized the agricultural sector is line-by-line technology. This electronic system allows for monitoring and controlling the seed dose at a fixed rate and variable rate in each planting line. In other words, with this technology, you can configure the parameters and quantity of seeds, ensuring that the seed dose per square meter remains uniform.
· Smart Fertilization
With smart fertilization technology, you can achieve variable fertilization rates without over-application and in unnecessary areas. Through fertilization, plants receive the necessary nutrients for their development. Generally, fertilization is done by spreading fertilizers on the cultivated surface, but this rule can only be applied to gardens or small areas.
For large areas, efficient fertilization equipment streamlines this process by ensuring fertilizer penetration exactly where needed, thereby amplifying its effect. The process is very efficient: soil samples are taken to identify soil needs, and then, with the help of commands received through digital systems, the equipment distributes quantities and types of fertilizer according to the treated area.
The process can also perform macro and micronutrient and granulometric analyses at depths of up to 40 centimeters. For this, soil fertility mapping is required, done with a sampling network between 1 and 2 hectares.
· Controlled Application of Pest and Weed Control Products
Weeds have always been one of the main problems for farmers, especially in cereal crops (corn or wheat), as they are annual crops and require special attention. In some cases, even though natural conditions are optimal, favoring crop development, pests may occur that affect crop quality. Precision agriculture once again supports farmers and combats agricultural crop pests through controlled application of insecticides, fungicides, and treatments, even in affected areas. Continuous analysis and monitoring of crops help farmers know exactly when it is time to act.
Moreover, machinery controlled by GPS communication and positioning systems can distribute different amounts of pesticides, depending on the needs of the crops, after scanning the entire area and identifying the affected parts. Precision in pest and weed control helps farmers save important resources (time, fuel, pesticides), and better protect crops.
· Use of Soil Analysis Systems
This is another tool used in precision agriculture that helps farmers from the early stages of agricultural processes. Specifically, these packages typically include soil samplers; tensiometers; soil moisture sensors; devices for monitoring soil erosion; penetrometers - devices that measure soil compaction levels.
Analysis systems provide important data about soil conditions so that farmers know from the start whether they are suitable for their needs and crops. For example, in compacted soils, water penetrates with difficulty and does not reach the plant's roots as it should, which can negatively impact its development and, consequently, farmers' harvest plans.
· Intelligent Irrigation Systems, with Resource Usage Monitoring
When it comes to agriculture, water remains the most important resource, and its efficient management, given the huge quantities consumed, is a significant gain for the environment.
Precision irrigation technology allows for monitoring soil moisture; planning crop spraying based on weather conditions; using variable rates and controlling machinery so that water is distributed according to the needs in specific areas of the agricultural surface. The irrigation system can be operated/coordinated directly from a smartphone.
Another precision agriculture technique is drip irrigation. This method is recommended especially for vegetable crops and involves dripping a small amount of water directly at the base of the plant. This way, water reaches where it's needed without any other water losses.
The digital transformation of food systems requires a favorable business environment, complementary public investments, the development of "technology facilitators," and investments. A critical success factor for agricultural digitization lies in leveraging and strengthening the workforce's capacities in the field. Achieving the vision of a highly productive and technologized agricultural sector depends on long-term collaboration between: Farmers, suppliers, and exporters; Ministries and government agencies; Academic, research, and development institutions; Banks, funds, and investors; Business incubators and accelerators; Technology producers and developers.
Digital agriculture seems to be a promising alternative to meet the need for efficient management, allowing for the correct allocation of resources and ensuring the development of people working in the field. Digitization will enable data collection through the internet of things, i.e., sensors, machines, and drones collecting real-time information, which is then stored and processed in a centralized environment. Due to detailed data control, resources will be streamlined, such as reducing labor costs, observing and preparing for climate conditions that interfere with production processes, monitoring the spread of pests and diseases, among others.
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