Technology continues to play an integral role in the development of agriculture globally whilst doubling up to help the industry break into new borders.
Dawie Maree is the Head of Information and Marketing for FNB Agriculture. He is of the opinion that agricultural technology innovation is evolving at an unparalleled pace, leaving farmers with no other choice but to adjust and reinvent themselves in order to compete, grow and sustain their businesses.
“The agricultural industry globally is successfully overcoming some of its prominent environmental and food production challenges through the use of new and advanced technologies, and South Africa is no exception,” says Maree.
He sheds some light on key tech trends to shape agriculture in 2019:
- Vertical farming – this modern form of farming used to produce food in a smaller controlled environment through vertically stacked layers to save on water and fertilizer – is no longer just a ‘buzz word’, but reality. A number of farmers in South Africa are already successfully using this technology as part of their farming practices.
- Mobile apps – smartphones are no longer just used for multimedia purposes and accessing information through the internet. Farmers are now actively using apps to monitor their crops via GPS, calculate feed, save water, get access to networks and markets, etc. Maree says mobile apps have become a key disruptor in the agricultural industry. Developers globally work round the clock to introduce app innovations that were once thought unimaginable but there are now apps that are able to spot over 430 weed species and identify their characteristics, at a punch of a button.
- Big Data – the industry is increasingly using data analytics to improve operational efficiency and yield prediction. Farmers are now able to implement complex systems that assist them with equipment management. This initiative is also combined with data on weather patterns, soil conditions as well as crops to be planted, to develop a formula to determine the best time and place to plant and harvest. Big data is also useful for forecasting demand for crops, yield on crops, as well as potential land size and usage of land.
- Drip Irrigation – Factoring in the recent drought conditions which have had huge cost implications on South African farmers in the region of billions of Rands, there’s a lot of investment in the development of advanced drip irrigation technology, which allows farmers to limit wastage by efficiently delivering the exact amount of water to the soil, needed by their crops to grow.
“Farmers are urged to regularly research and educate themselves on new technological developments in the industry to avoid being left behind. Those who are still pessimistic, do so at their peril,” concludes Maree.
