The future looks bright thanks to the different innovations available in today’s market. Even the agriculture industry benefits heavily from the various technologies used nowadays. Now, farmers can grow crops in unconventional ways, increasing productivity and profitability.
They can now address farming challenges that used to be a source of headaches for both consumers and farmers. Consumers also enjoy their preferred food items knowing they can get ethically and sustainably produced crops at the market. This shows that trends in agriculture can impact consumers, not just the farmers.
But the question is, what are the current trends in agriculture that everyone ought to know? Here’s a shortlist to keep yourself updated.
1. Drones for Agriculture
The concept of using unmanned aerial vehicles dates back to the mid-1850s. The military used the first drones to drop ordnance in certain areas. These days, drones are available for regular consumer use, while businesses utilize drones to help them in specific tasks.
When it comes to agriculture, drones play a considerable role in improving farmers’ safety, productivity, and profitability. They use drones for farm spraying, crop and soil monitoring, data collection, and risk mitigation. Farmers can now enjoy the following benefits thanks to farming drones:
2. Hemp Farming
As more countries and states legalize the use of industrial hemp, more farmers are getting the license to grow and sell hemp. Some farmers like the fact that it is a viable crop. It is also sustainable since it requires less water, land, and pesticide input than traditional crops.
Hectares upon hectares of industrial hemp plants have been planted in Australian lands for many years now. Farmers usually grow industrial hemp plants for many consumers who demand hemp products. This can range from wellness-promoting oil to biodiesel fuel.
3. Water Management
Each year, droughts and heavy rainfalls are causing major havoc in agriculture. The effects of extreme weather conditions on farming are long-lasting, not to mention far-reaching. This is why farmers have been working hard for the past many years to mitigate risks associated with such weather events effectively.
Thankfully, different water management tools now exist in the market. More efficient irrigation equipment, for instance, helps farmers effectively control and measure water levels depending on the types of crops they are currently growing. Weather apps are now more accurate and are helping us make better decisions when adjusting irrigation systems.
Farmers are now able to recycle water used in farming through recycling runoff. This dramatically helps save water while reducing the chances of chemicals used in farming seeping underground and polluting natural bodies of water.
On the other hand, organic farming methods are great tools for preserving water quality. One can now reduce and sometimes eliminate chemicals when farming crops. This then helps farmers better save on water resources, reducing their farming costs.
4. Vertical Farming
Farming crops on top of the other is now a massive deal in farming. Now, farmers can grow seasonal crops indoors and in a controlled environment all year round. One can now work on farming vegetables in small and tight spaces located in the heart of cities.
One great thing about vertical farming is that farmers can minimize their water usage when farming specific crops. The yields are also protected against any weather conditions since these are grown in indoor labs. There is a reduced need for harmful chemicals. At the same time, farmers get to leverage other agri-tech innovations to make their farming tasks faster, more efficient, and less risky.
Vertical farming also enables farmers to automate their tasks fully. Drones can take care of most farming responsibilities, including seeding, watering, and crop monitoring. This can help lower labour costs while using energy-efficient technologies enables them to make their operations more sustainable.
5. Cover Crops
One huge trend in today’s agriculture industry is planting cover crops. Cover crops are essential crops used to boost soil organic matter. This helps farmers tackle different farming challenges, including weeds, soil compaction, and soil erosion.
Other benefits of cover crop planting include the following:
More trends are shaping today’s agricultural landscape. But the items mentioned greatly influence how farmers manage the biggest challenges of farming. Thanks to these trends, agriculture has never been easier, safer, more efficient, and profitable.
