Smart farming: Farming for the future with the help of IoT

IoT Spotlight

Efficient Smart Farming Methods in Agriculture

Smart farming – how the IoT found its way into agribusiness

Sensors, as used in Smart Farming and precision farming, have long been found in agriculture. However, the problem before IoT farming was the availability of live data. Whereas previously all data could be stored and only used later, Smart Farming allows direct access.

At the same time, smart agriculture relies more on modern and advanced sensor technology. Instead of filling a locked storage, they transmit their data in real time and connect it to a cloud. For example, via cellular or satellite networks.

Here’s how IoT is applicable to agribusiness

The foundation for Smart Farming is the Internet of Things. With its help, the benefits for agricultural machinery in Smart Farming are continuously increasing. They enable sustainable farming by monitoring fields in real time. The most important aspect is the use of networked devices implemented in agricultural machinery with the help of innovative technology. In smart agriculture, it can be used for growing food, but also for raising livestock.

The result: costs are reduced while productivity is maintained or increased. In addition, resources are conserved – for example, through more efficient use of water or electricity. This makes Smart Farming with IoT a forward-looking technology that is considered revolutionary in the entire agricultural sector.

These are the solutions Smart Farming with IoT offers to agriculture

The IoT can add significant value to nearly every aspect of agriculture. From simple crop cultivation to AR for inspection and maintenance, a wide variety of applications are conceivable. However, the two big areas for Smart Farming are agricultural automation and precision agriculture. Nevertheless, IoT based Smart Agriculture can support agriculture in different sub-areas.

Farming with more precision

Smart Farming and precision farming go hand in hand thanks to modern technology. Precision farming remains one of the best-known applications in this field. With the help of Smart Farming, fields can be observed, livestock can be monitored and their population can be checked regularly.

The basis for precision farming are sensors that collect and analyze numerous data. Based on the results, informed decisions can be made and next steps can be taken. With sufficient automation, the system can even carry out instructions itself, for example in irrigation management. This increases efficiency and effectiveness in an equal measure.

Precision in livestock farming

Benefits for Agricultural Machinery are also making themselves felt in livestock farming. Intelligent technology enables farmers to respond specifically to the needs of their animals. This means they can adjust nutrition and detect diseases at an early stage. In this way, the health of the entire herd can be improved!

Owners of a large farm also have the ability to monitor the location of their herds. This makes Smart Farming a special tool in this area.

The smart greenhouse

Smart farming can reduce manual intervention and increase production profits. The reason is that, for example, the AR for Inspection and Maintenance immediately indicates deviations from ideal values. Therefore, Smart Farming can save labor costs and avoid energy losses.

As in most areas of Smart Farming, various sensors are the basis. And that is to record and evaluate the individual environmental parameters. They are then transmitted to a cloud-based platform where they can be processed and monitored. In addition to this real-time monitoring, it is easily possible to be informed about changes in the greenhouse condition. By SMS or e-mail, for example.

As a result, growers can react immediately instead of noticing potential grievances during the next visit.

Predicting climate conditions

In Smart Farming, as in traditional agriculture, climate is critical. Those who can detect weather conditions in real time can sow the right crops, for example. IoT technology helps with optimal planting: because it determines values such as temperature, precipitation and humidity very accurately.

Easier data evaluation

The world of IoT offers enough space to store the large amount of agricultural data. This storage space is important because sensors in Smart Farming collect a large amount of information. This data can then be evaluated with specialized analytics tools and used to make effective decisions. This includes trend analysis, which includes upcoming weather conditions that depends on numerous factors.

Smart farming and the use of drones in agriculture

In addition to sensors, other technological innovations in Smart Farming include agricultural drones that help farmers monitor their crops and determine their health. In addition to crop analysis, they also enable crop spraying and add thermal and multispectral capabilities to commonly used sensors. In Smart Farming, they help reduce environmental impact. This is because fewer chemicals are needed when sufficient data on the plants is available.

Will there soon be an Internet of Farming?

“Internet of Food and Farm 2020” is a European Commission project looking at a specialized Internet of Things. Within this framework, the potential of IoT technology for Smart Farming is being investigated. Namely, how it should strengthen the European agriculture and food industry. In the meantime, it is clear that a smart network will support automated decision-making in IoT agriculture and drive it forward in the long term.

Smart farming and the green revolution

The “Third Green Revolution” is based on the combination of Smart Farming and IoT technology. It is the next evolution that combines data-driven analytics and precision farming. It is already becoming apparent that this is a forward-looking path: Smart Farming will be used to reduce pesticides and fertilizers and increase yields. At the same time, the technology enables greater food safety and increased traceability. Smart farming is thus seen as a revolution that benefits both the environment and people.