How Technology Supports Sustainable Agriculture

Agriculture has always been a cornerstone of civilization, but the tools and methods we use are rapidly evolving. Today, the fields of farming are not just tilled by traditional machinery but shaped by advanced technologies that are redefining how we grow, manage, and harvest food. Some examples of how technology is transforming agriculture: 🔍 Targeted Agriculture Gone are the days of blanket approaches to farming. Precision agriculture uses satellite imagery, GPS, and sensor data to pinpoint exactly where resources are needed. This means: - Reducing water, pesticide, and fertilizer waste. - Minimizing environmental impact while maximizing yields. - Allowing real-time decision-making with insights from field-level data. 🤖 Smart Farming Equipment Automation is not just a buzzword, it helps with efficiency: - GPS enabled tractors ensure perfect rows with no overlap, saving time and fuel. - Drones monitor crops, identify diseases, and assess soil conditions, offering a bird’s-eye view of fields in a fraction of the time manual inspections would take. - Robots are now even capable of planting and harvesting with precision, reducing reliance on manual labor. 📊 In modern farming, data is king. Advanced tools allow farmers to collect and analyze information like: - Soil health metrics for optimized planting strategies. - Weather patterns to plan irrigation and prevent losses. - AI powered predictive models that help forecast challenges and improve crop yields. 🌍 With climate change introducing new uncertainties, technology helps mitigate risks: - Precision irrigation systems save water in drought-prone areas. - Climate modeling tools guide farmers in selecting the right crops for shifting weather conditions. - Innovations like vertical farming and hydroponics are enabling food production in places where traditional agriculture struggles. What’s your take? Could these advancements make agriculture one of the most exciting industries to innovate in? #innovation #technology #future #management #startups

There’s nothing like bumping into an Acumen fellow before 6 in the morning and getting an impromptu briefing on the amazing things he’s doing. I loved spending time with Michael Ogundare, Nigerian Foundry member (’21) and co-founder of Crop2Cash, a company that connects smallholder farmers to financial institutions to access credit — and now, skills and advice. Already, the company has 500,000 farmers on its platform. What stunned me most was hearing how Michael is integrating AI into the services provided to farmers. “The farmers are weary of accessing traditional extension services,” he said, “because much of the knowledge hasn’t changed since the ’80s and ’90s. Now, we have 20,000 farmers using our AI service." Essentially, the farmers can call a phone number (they don’t need smartphones) and ask the AI about any problem they’re experiencing or any question they might have. The AI responds in their local language (one of seven) and will call them back when a follow-up is needed — for instance, to fertilize or apply a different input. And here’s the part that took my breath away: the 20,000 farmers spend, on average, 20 minutes daily talking with the AI. They typically call between 7 and 8 p.m., set the phone on a table, put it on speaker and share questions and experiences. They might ask about tomorrow’s weather or share worries or concerns. The results are showing up in the farmers’ productivity. This video shows how Crop2Cash is helping farmers become climate-smart: https://lnkd.in/e5higg2i Of course, these are early days, but the changes to agriculture are suddenly dramatic — and the farmers, at least in this case, are quickly adapting. We have so much to learn. #AgTech #AIforGood #FinancialInclusion #SmallholderFarmers #ImpactInvesting

In southeastern Africa, Malawi is home to rich, arable land and a subtropical climate suitable for farming. However, the once-predictable seasons that smallholder farmers rely on are steadily shifting due to climate change. Smallholders lack access to hyperlocal weather forecasting and data that can increase their crops’ chances of success, ultimately jeopardizing the productivity and profitability of their season. IBM partnered with Heifer International to empower these farmers through the #IBMSustainabilityAccelerator and develop OpenHarvest. This open-source platform with a mobile application that expands access to visual agricultural data delivers specialized recommendations to farmers through #AI and climate modeling and enables better farm and field management. For building this solution, the team relied on IBM Cloud Code Engine’s serverless architecture and IBM Consulting’s sustainability expertise. Proud to see how with the right partnerships and the right resources we can help build sustainable farming solutions alongside farmers and their communities. Read this blog post from Rhia Trogo to learn more: https://ibm.biz/BdS4cw

Point of View with PV Role of AI in Precision Agriculture The future of precision agriculture is being shaped significantly by the rapid integration of semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI). In the face of a growing global population and the challenge of feeding it, the importance of efficient and sustainable farming practices has never been greater. This is where the combined power of semiconductors and AI comes into play, presenting innovative solutions to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability. Semiconductors, the small chips powering the digital world, are increasingly finding their way into agriculture. They serve as the foundation for various smart farming technologies like sensors, drones, and autonomous tractors. These devices, driven by semiconductors, gather vast amounts of data on soil conditions, crop health, weather patterns, and more. This data is then analyzed to make informed decisions about planting, fertilizing, watering, and harvesting crops. However, the massive amount of data generated by these technologies can be overwhelming. This is where AI steps in. AI algorithms can process and analyze this data, identifying patterns and offering actionable insights. For instance, AI can predict weather patterns to determine the optimal time for planting or harvesting, and it can detect signs of crop diseases or pests, allowing farmers to take prompt action to minimize losses. The combination of semiconductors and AI is transforming precision agriculture, shifting from traditional, reactive farming practices to proactive, data-driven decision-making. This transition not only increases crop yields but also reduces the environmental impact of farming. By optimizing the usage of resources like water and fertilizers, precision agriculture minimizes waste and lowers the carbon footprint of farming. The potential of semiconductors and AI in precision agriculture is immense, but there are challenges to overcome. The high cost of these technologies can be a barrier for small and medium-sized farms, although as the technology advances, it is expected to become more affordable and accessible to more farmers. Another challenge lies in the lack of digital literacy among farmers, particularly in developing countries. To address this, concerted efforts are needed to provide training and education to farmers about the benefits of these technologies and how to use them effectively.

In Washington’s Palouse region, fifth-generation farmer Andrew Nelson is running a 7,500-acre wheat farm while on Zoom calls. His tractor drives itself, guided by AI, sensors, and cameras that decide where to fertilize, spray, or weed. This isn’t an isolated story. Farming is entering a new era: 🚜 Autonomous tractors & sprayers from companies like Deere and Monarch are cutting herbicide use by up to 66%. 🚜 Robotic fruit pickers & drones (Oishii’s Tortuga robot, Tevel’s flying harvesters) are easing labor shortages. 🚜 Data-driven “digital twins” of farms are helping farmers target irrigation and pest control with precision. 🚜 Virtual fencing is changing livestock management with GPS-enabled collars. The goal? Smarter, more sustainable farming—optimizing every drop of water and every seed, while letting farmers focus on strategy, not hours in the cab. As Microsoft’s Ranveer Chandra puts it, “Every time a drone flies or a tractor plants, it’s updating the farm’s own AI model.” The autonomous farm won’t replace farmers—it will amplify them. And it’s happening faster than you think. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eEeW7zef