The population of our planet is constantly growing and is projected to increase by several billion by 2050. Agriculture needs to be more productive simultaneously, but it constantly faces challenges caused by climate change. However, several solutions can help adapt to climate change and help reduce its negative impact. Agricultural companies need to adopt new ways of advancing farming technology and conserving water.
Technologies bring incredible changes to our lives, expanding the usual possibilities. They are used in various areas of human life, including production and business. Agriculture is certainly no exception in this case. The application of technology in agriculture aims to increase the sustainability of various sectors of human activity.
Satellite imagery, sensors, geospatial technologies, drones, and different software are on the list of things that increase the productivity of agriculture today, and that’s not all. The development is important because food security and human lives depend on the productivity of this sector. Digital technologies have also led to the emergence of various seed business ideas. In this article, you will learn about how digital Information affects the data sector within agriculture.
Technology Driving Change
The development and implementation of technologies are changing the present and future in agriculture from top to bottom. Seed companies also respond to these changes and technological innovations with new marketing strategies. Technology and the very concept of precision farming significantly empower farmers, allowing them to collect vast amounts of data and obtain valuable information based on which they can make informed effective decisions.
The Crop Monitoring platform, for example, gives access to various vegetation indices, through which you can get the necessary information about the state of the crop and take appropriate measures to improve it. Plant breeders are getting more and more data to analyze. This data can better help the farmer select the most suitable seeds. Modern seed technologies work with genetics to create more resilient crop varieties.
The satellite imagery market is growing and providing room for more business and scientific opportunities. EOS Data Analytics, a global provider of AI-powered satellite imagery analytics, will host a free webinar on March 29 to explain how it trains neural networks to transform satellite data into actionable insights for crop production and forestry.
Increased Digital Interaction since COVID
Coronavirus has been a terrible ordeal for the whole world, but at the same time, it has forced various areas of life and sectors of production to act differently. The spread of the virus has led to a significant increase in digital interaction. Many manufacturers have begun to pay attention to improving the virtual experience of interacting with customers. When it comes to agriculture, many farmers, for example, have found it convenient to order seeds and various items for production online.
COVID-19 has also become an incentive to intensify and develop digital interaction between farmers and other participants in agribusiness. For example, digital tools can replace face-to-face communication between agronomists and farmers. These tools will allow you to remotely respond to requests to visit the field, evaluate fields and transmit various materials. Agronomists also plan and conduct meetings online.
An essential role in ensuring the safety of seed delivery in the context of COVID-19 is also played by contactless delivery, which does not require the client’s physical presence. Another digital tool widely adopted during the pandemic is E-Luminate, which helps select seeds. The head of marketing for the company that created this tool reported a significant increase in the number of planted acres.
Mozambican example
In Mozambique, about 4 million farmers cultivate the land at risk. The reason for this is the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather conditions and climate change. Drought, floods, and cyclones threaten the crop. To eliminate the consequences of natural disasters, farmers need help. Mozambican seed business insurers and companies commercialize an insurance policy based on the weather index. In addition, they select improved crop seeds for cultivation.
Mozambican farmers purchase improved seeds from Phoenix Seeds to prevent total crop loss. So they can be calm even in the face of weather threats and increase productivity. After receiving a seed package, farmers can register important information via SMS, including the type and quantity of seeds, date of purchase, place of purchase, and contacts. Where you buy seeds is especially important, as a geo-reference can be obtained this way, such as a GPS address or a proxy GPS address associated with insurance coverage.
Satellite data is collected for these locations every month. eLeaf also collects data at the end of the growing season, an independent index provider and loss checking agent. The data obtained is then compared with the evapotranspiration index. If the levels go beyond the maximum or minimum limits of the index, the insurance company will compensate for the loss of seeds, and farmers will be able to get new ones at no additional cost.
The system identifies the potential for increased seeding combined with index weather insurance for small farmers in other parts of the country. Reducing insurance premiums and developing a more secure agribusiness environment through commercial farming schemes and agro-dealer networks enables to insure more farmers in more areas. It also spreads the risks of insurance companies over a broader range.
Read Also: What Are The Most In-demand Seeds Throughout The Year?
