Agriculture and technology combine to drive the industrys growth – Times of India

The Indian agricultural industry is one of the leading players in the global market. It has grown significantly over the period of time and technology has a vital role to play in this rapid development. However, the country is yet to reach its optimal potential and the government, as well as analysts, are optimistic that technology will be a gamechanger for the industry.

In India, agriculture is heavily dependent on nature. Unfortunately, conditions like climate and global warming cause disruptions in farming activities. The growing population, the rising demand for food grains, soil degradation and pollution further impact the agri-ecosystem. This puts forth the need to educate farmers about the use of modern technology and innovative approaches to increase productivity and profitability.

Tech solutions driving the growth of the Indian agricultural industry

Over the course of time, technology has facilitated the rapid growth of the agricultural industry. From simple hoes, we have evolved and now use fully mechanized equipment, planters, irrigation machines, harvesters, millers, etc. It is due to technology that we can accurately predict climate and even prepare for unforeseen circumstances, reduce water usage, etc. All such innovations lead to high yields and increased net profits, thereby benefiting both farmers and the produce.

With digitization, agritech has emerged at the forefront and is gaining prominence. Tech innovations are upscaling agricultural activities and are impacting various aspects of agriculture. For instance, mechanization has led to efficient tilling, harvesting and reduction in manual labor. Even irrigation methods and transportation systems have improved, thanks to tech adoption. Lets take a closer look at how technology is transforming the agricultural sector

Weed removal through robotics

New-age technologies help decrease the usage of chemicals. For instance, herbicide use can be reduced significantly by mechanical weed removal with the help of solar-powered and laser-aided robots. Such advanced equipment leverage computer vision to identify the weeds and remove them with laser. Soil solarization is another effective method, wherein the ground is covered with transparent, airtight material (usually plastic), so that the solar energy can heat the field. This way, weeds and pests can be removed easily without using any chemicals. Driven by AI and Robotics, such solutions are the perfect example of the next-gen evolution of agritech.

Use of drones

Drones are helping to increase field capacity, improve efficiency and reduce field operational delays and wastage of pesticides and fertilizers. They also reduce human exposure to hazardous chemicals by facilitating the transition from conventional methods of spraying chemicals and fertilizer application. Drones have made directed and localized spraying of fungicides and insecticides possible over mass spraying of chemicals. Using drones is not only a cost-saving and time-efficacious process but also reduces the transfer of chemicals in the supply chain. In fact, this technology is highly appreciated and promoted by the government. The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) has released the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to provide concise instructions for the effective and safe usage of drones for pesticides and nutrient application. Additionally, The Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC) has enlisted the guidelines for registration requirements of pesticides for drone application.

Adopting traditional approach of using jeevamrut

As the trend of sustainable farming is gaining prominence, the need of the hour is to adopt practices that are environmentally-friendly and help improve yield. The usage of Jeevamrut is one such process that works on the principle of sustainability, enhances the quality of the produce and even protects the farm from insect attack.

Indian Vruksh Ayurveda, a part of Agnipurana, is an ancient Indian scripture highlighting the significance of agricultural science. The text deals with the science of plant life, enlisting how we can grow crops naturally and improve their productivity. It also promotes the production and usage of jeevamrut, a kind of traditional Indian bio pesticide. It is an organic manure created with the combination of 12 different ingredients like cow dung, cow urine, jaggery, pulses flour, soil and water. Jeevamrut benefits the plants and boosts soil health. Even today, many farmers prefer using this over chemicals and are, in fact, saving lots of money.

To sum up

From the planting to the harvesting stage, technology has the power to impact yields at all stages of the agricultural process. Today, it is taking charge of some of the major challenges that are impacting the agricultural sector and is helping the industry grow. In fact, India has been able to achieve self-sufficiency in food grain production by harnessing the power of modern methods of agriculture.

Amidst high labor costs, shortage of skilled workforce and food security affecting the agricultural landscape, farmers need technology to cater to the rising demand. When combined with agriculture, technology can bring significant positive impact on the industry, farmers and the produce. As per industry reports, Indian farmers can save $2 billion annually by adopting technology.

But its an undeniable fact that tech adoption is comparatively lower and efforts need to be made to facilitate the same. Simultaneously, we need to understand that the right balance of traditional approaches and modern technologies is essential to boost the agricultural sector. The governments initiatives like Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, Gramin Bhandaran Yojana, etc., are uplifting farmers and providing them with technical know-how and financial assistance to accept and adopt technological solutions. We need to encourage farmers to adopt these initiatives and strike a balance between leveraging technology and practicing traditional methods.

Views expressed above are the author's own.

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Agriculture and technology combine to drive the industrys growth - Times of India