“Old School Farming with Modern Technologies”
“Agriculture and Organic farming with modern technologies is the pursuit that will contribute the most to Real Wealth, and Happiness.
Introduction
Innovation is the key feature in every aspect. Modern agriculture with old school farming has become more important than ever before. The agricultural industry as a whole is facing challenges right from rising costs of supplies, shortage of labor, and changes in preferences of the consumer for transparency and sustainability. Varied solutions are required for these challenges recognized by agricultural corporations.
With investment and technology, old school farming with modern techniques like indoor vertical farming, greenhouse practices can wave a space in the sustainability of agriculture.
Old School Farming with Modern Techniques
In the present scenario, there is an immense requirement for modern techniques like,
- Indoor Vertical Farming
- Livestock Technology
- Modern greenhouse practices
- Artificial Intelligence
- Precision Agriculture
Indoor Vertical Farming
Earlier methods of farming, use crop rotation, mixed cropping, and other techniques for agriculture. But with advancements and innovations, Indoor Vertical Farming is being practiced which can increase the crop yields with a limited area of land.
It is defined as the practice of growing fruits and vegetables stacked one above another in a very closed and controllable environment. In traditional methods, the space utilized for growing crops is more but with practices of indoor vertical farming, you can lessen the amount of land space required for growing crops. This is often used and associated with urban farming and is practiced in cities as it has the ability to thrive in restricted space. Some of the set-ups of vertical farms do not require soil for growing plants and are mostly hydroponic where vegetables are grown in a dense bowl of water or aeroponic where the roots of plants are sprayed systematically with minerals and nutrients. Artificial lights are used instead of sunlight.
The advantages of indoor farming are apparent right from sustainable growth to maximize the crop yields with minimal labor costs. With this modern technique, we can control variables like humidity, water, and sunlight as compared to the techniques used in old school farming. They also conserve resources, with vertical farming you can save up to 70% of the water. To handle harvesting and planting labor is also reduced and get replaced by robots. Hence, vertical farming is at its best and optimizes energy conservation.
Livestock Technology
The traditional industry of livestock is being overlooked, although it is arguably the most important. The resources we rely on today are much provided by Livestock. Earlier, Livestock management is often taking care of and ensure proper feeding of the animals but recent trends in technology have proven that the world for livestock management is revolutionary. This technology has come in the form of genetics and digital technology.
Enhancement and improvement of productive capacity and welfare and management of livestock and animals can be done by Livestock Technology. New concepts like “connected cow” are a result of more dairy herds being fitted with sensors that aids in monitoring health and increasing productivity. Daily track of data and insights can provide health-related issues for the entire herd. These data technology and sensors can provide huge benefits in the current livestock industry. Computer visions can also help in taking timely decisions for the advancement of livestock herds.
Modern greenhouse Practices
In recent times, the Greenhouse industry has been transforming all from small-scale facilities primarily being used for research and aesthetic purposes. These greenhouses facilities compete directly with old school farming techniques of conventional food production. They are merging on a large-scale and are capital-infused centered industry.
They are locating their urban hubs to capitalize on the ever-increasing demand for local food.
Artificial Intelligence
A new wealth of data opportunities has been opened with the rise of digital agriculture. With remote sensors, satellites, and UAVs you can easily gather information for whole 24 hours per day over an entire field. Earlier, there were no technology and practices to monitor the health of plant or soil conditions, but with new technologies, you can keep a check on plant health, temperature, humidity, and condition of the soil. The whole idea of it is to allow the farmers to have a better understanding of the situation through the advancements of technology. With remote sensing, you can clearly observe what is walking or driving through the fields.
Statistical data of interpreting a field’s environment can easily be understood and is useful to farmers for decision making. These algorithms and information collection can be better at predicting multiple ranges of outcomes and the focus of artificial intelligence is that farmers will be achieving their goals for a better harvest by making better decisions in the field.
Precision Agriculture
It is an undergoing evaluation that technology is becoming an indispensable part of each commercial farm. Modern technologies are being developed by modern companies that allow farmers to maximize their yields by controlling each variable of crop farming such as levels of moisture, pest stress, soil conditions, etc. precision agriculture helps farmers to grow and increase their efficiency and managing the costs. It is predicted that the precision agricultural market is to reach $43.4 billion by 2025. The new generation of farmers is attracted to faster and flexible startups that will maximize crop yields systematically.
Pros of Modern Technology
- Helps in targeting specific areas with minimum quantities required.
- Yield higher crop productivity.
- Decreases the use of water, fertilizers, and pesticides.
- Increases the economic background of the country.
Cons of Modern Technology
- High dependency on capital-intensive technology.
- Put a negative impact on climate as synthetic manure and chemical pesticides are being used.
- Significant increase in “ecological diseases”.
- Intensification of food generation.
Conclusion
Old school farming techniques combined with modern technologies have adhered to prospering an increased desire for food by the inhabitants of the world. The production of basic crops such as rice and grains have signs of progress dramatically and the cost of food dwindled is kept at the speed which results in a reduction of hunger rate in the world.
Modern farming has also boosted up the food production which happens due to progressions in science, new and innovative technologies including the expansion of crop categories and application of manure and pesticides, and formation and plantation of large methods of irrigation.