Technology is being integrated into a wide variety of fields, from medical care to smart homes. Agricultural technology, or AgriTech / Agtech, is also on the rise. This innovative sector includes a range of tools designed to enhance farming practices. Farm-management software, farm automation systems, and remote sensing technologies are key agtech tools. These advancements enable farms to operate with greater precision and efficiency, ultimately leading to increased productivity and sustainability in agriculture.
The Need for Technology in Agriculture
Agriculture is not only crucial to supporting our livelihood—it is also a vital part of our economy. Because of this, agriculture has also been one of the slowest industries to adopt technology. However, integrating technology into agriculture is becoming necessary to keep up with consumer demand.
We are in an era of overconsumption. This term, often used to refer to people buying much more of something than they need, also applies to food waste. Food is the largest single category of discarded waste. While overconsumption is a significant issue that the U.S. government has committed to battling, a large amount of food loss occurs during production. For this, agritech holds the answer.
Barriers to Agtech Adoption Among Farmers
The agriculture industry has been slow to increase reliance on technology. Agriculture is steeped in tradition. The Old Farmer’s Almanac, a periodical first issued in 1792, is still relied upon today. Generational farmers who have successfully used established methods are wary of shifting to a new approach. However, tradition is not the only barrier.
Cost of Adoption:
Integrating agtech can be costly, especially over a large area. Agritech expenses go beyond the initial investment. Systems require maintenance, operating costs, and, in some cases, software subscriptions. North America and Europe are leading the world in Agritech use, but both only see about a 60% adoption rate, with farm-management software the most popular form of agtech. For the high price tag of integrating agritech, farmers want a clearer picture of the return on investment, especially when they have success with methods proven over time.
Connectivity Issues:
Farmers also want to see connectivity issues addressed before investing in agtech products. LoRa, a wireless network that connects devices across a large area, connects most IoT agtech equipment. However, LoRa has limitations, such as its inability to simultaneously handle the transmission of large amounts of data.
Additionally, many farms are in remote areas without reliable cellular connections, further complicating the implementation of advanced technological solutions. Resolving these connectivity challenges is crucial for the widespread adoption of agritech.
Technical Expertise:
Knowing how to use technology is essential to bringing it into a new space. Individuals already comfortable with technology might find learning the intricacies of a new technology system relatively easy. However, for farmers without extensive technical experience, learning a new technical process may be intimidating. Ensuring that farmers feel confident in their ability to use new tools is essential to successfully integrate agtech into everyday farming operations.
Benefits of Adopting Technology in Agriculture
Despite the barriers to agritech adoption, more farmers are bringing IoT to their farms. Products with IoT sensors or GPS capabilities allow for better tracking of planting, fertilizing, watering, and harvesting.
Even as overconsumption decreases, the population is still increasing. The agricultural industry needs to be able to keep up with demand. Over a third of the Earth’s land is already taken up by agriculture. Deforestation to create more farmland destroys ecosystems and worsens pollution.
Vertical Farming:
Vertical farming, where crops are grown in layered greenhouses, allows farmers to produce more food in an equal or smaller amount of land. Vertical greenhouses rely on nutrient-rich water solutions and use hydroponic systems to feed and sustain crops without soil. These controlled environments also regulate temperature, light, and humidity.
By maintaining optimal growing conditions, vertical farming can significantly reduce the impact of adverse environmental factors such as pests, extreme weather, and soil degradation that traditionally grown outdoor plants face. Vertical farming improves crop yield and quality and supports sustainable agricultural practices by conserving water and reducing the need for pesticides.
Monitoring Crops and Resource Management:
The ability to monitor crops, both indoors and outdoors, leads to higher yields and decreased waste. AgTech’s ability to connect all areas of a farm through IoT allows farmers to monitor crops remotely, leading to increased productivity. Waste decreases because farmers can closely monitor fertilization and watering schedules. They will know what nutrients plants need and can reduce consumption, conserving vital resources. Employees’ time is also a valuable resource that can be better managed with agritech, helping the farm to operate more efficiently.
Increased Traceability:
Consumers, driven by growing awareness of environmental and social issues, are increasingly searching for sustainable and ethically sourced food and textiles. Concerns about GMOs and pesticides in food products have become prominent, prompting many to seek more transparency in their purchases.
AgTech plays a crucial role in addressing these concerns by providing tools that can verify the origins of food and determine whether it’s organic. By leveraging advanced technologies such as blockchain, remote sensing, and data analytics, agritech ensures that consumers can access accurate information about the sustainability and ethical standards of their food and textile products. This transparency helps build trust and allows consumers to make more informed choices that align with their values.
AgriTech is Here to Stay
Technology has not been integrated into agriculture as quickly as other industries, but the need for sustainability in farm resources and outputs is now. This means that agtech is here to stay. Through technology, we can monitor crops’ growth, environmental conditions, and the amount of water needed. Vertical farming allows farmers to yield higher crops in a smaller space, conserving land. As agritech engineers improve connectivity and offer user-friendly interfaces and training programs, more farmers will integrate technology into their operations.
At Pivot International, we design and manufacture AgriTech products for a variety of uses. Sensors to detect lameness in equine, milk tank control systems with IoT reporting for dairy farms, and boom sprayer valves that control water output are some of the agtech products we have developed for our partners.
Our team has over 50 years of experience in the product design and manufacturing industry. Based in Lenexa, Kansas, we have 300,000 square feet of manufacturing space across North America, Europe, and Asia. Our multi-disciplined team of engineers can design and develop a product from your idea or work with you to update an existing specification. Our global supply chain teams are dedicated to finding the best parts at the best prices to make your project successful. Contact us today to learn how we can help develop your agri-tech product.
