Technology has revolutionised different sectors and agriculture is no exception. Smart farming is the integration of technology into the agriculture sector. Because of this, there is an increase in demand for IoT and AI technology and the market is expected to have a CAGR of 10.06% and be valued at €26 billion by 2028. This growth stems from the ongoing demand for agricultural products. These technologies increase productivity and ensure the sector keeps up with public demand.
In 2015, the EU launched the Alliance for Internet of Things Innovation (AIOTI), which aimed to aid research, foster innovation, and standardise policies. This initiative was created because “IoT technologies have the potential of helping European farming and food sector face important challenges for the future through real-time monitoring, better decision making, and improved operations management,” the AIOTI says.
IoT in Farming
IoT has many uses in farming. These devices are typically used for precision irrigation, field monitoring, and data management. Using these technologies increases efficiency, makes agriculture more sustainable, improves working conditions, and increases transparency. The use of IoT in farming is expected to keep growing. From 0.51 million connections in 2016, it is predicted to rise to 70.26 million in 2025.
The need for IoT and AI technology in the agriculture sector has grown after the UN reports that the world will need to increase the agricultural product supply by 70% because of the growing population. The organisation stressed the need to improve production and consumption. This means that produce must be cultivated efficiently yet sustainably. IoT technology can help make this happen.
Why IoT is Important in Farming
IoT has changed the way agricultural products are produced, as digitalising production has many benefits. It has made the process more advanced and effective. A good example of how IoT and AI technology has changed agriculture is through drones.
Drones have been used to increase the precision of agriculture. The EU has even funded a project the promotes drone usage in an agricultural context. These drones can record different kinds of data, from water usage to crop observation. They can even be used to plant seeds and distribute fertilizer. The drones are able to collect this data because of the technology they have, as they are built with different sensors that aid them in movement and information collection. The drones use advanced touch sensors to remotely move around the fields without any collisions. This data is also used to manage foreseeable risks.
With the need for sustainably sourced produce growing, it is important for the EU agricultural sector to evolve to cater to this need. The way this can be done is through IoT and AI technology. These advancements can make farming smarter and more efficient and will become important improvements for the predicted increase in demand for food.
Using gadgets, like drones, in farming will make processes more effective and advanced. With the benefits of integrating IoT and AI technology into farming, it is no surprise that governments of different
