Agriculture 4.0 – The Future Of Farming Technology (2024)

FAQs

What is 4.0 technology in agriculture? ›

In the same way as its industrial equivalent, Agriculture 4.0 is based on the integration and use of new techniques and technologies, both for data collection and tasks, that allow greater efficiency, performance and automation in the agricultural sector.

Future agriculture will use sophisticated technologies such as robots, temperature and moisture sensors, aerial images, and GPS technology. These advanced devices and precision agriculture and robotic systems will allow farms to be more profitable, efficient, safe, and environmentally friendly.

By 2050, the whole idea of what constitutes a farm may take a very different form. While fields of crops are unlikely to disappear completely, there's growing interest in 'vertical farming', or controlled environment agriculture (CEA). More than just greenhouse growing, CEA is heavily dependent on technology.

By enhancing connectivity, financial inclusion, access to trade and public services, technology can be a great equaliser. In the health sector, for instance, AI-enabled frontier technologies are helping to save lives, diagnose diseases and extend life expectancy.

Industry 4.0, which is synonymous with smart manufacturing, is the realization of the digital transformation of the field, delivering real-time decision making, enhanced productivity, flexibility and agility to revolutionize the way companies manufacture, improve and distribute their products.

Generally-speaking, Industry 4.0 describes the growing trend towards automation and data exchange in technology and processes within the manufacturing industry, including: The internet of things (IoT) The industrial internet of things (IIoT) Cyber-physical systems (CPS)

Importance of Agricultural Technology

Farmers no longer have to apply water, fertilizers, and pesticides uniformly across entire fields. Instead, they can use the minimum quantities required and target very specific areas, or even treat individual plants differently. Benefits include: Higher crop productivity.

The technology that has had the biggest impact on agriculture is arguably the development of genetically modified crops. These crops have been engineered to be more resistant to pests and diseases, tolerate extreme weather conditions, and have higher yields.

Vertical farming (the practice of growing crops in vertical layers) and hydroponics (growing plants in nutrient-rich water) – are both methods that generally use less water, soil, and space than traditional field farming methods.

By 2030, crop yield failures will be 4.5 times higher. By 2050, the likelihood shoots up to 25 times current rates.By mid-century, the world could be facing a rice or wheat failure every other year, with the probability of soybean and maize failures even higher.

What will food look like in 2050? ›

Food in 2050 might look very different

Cultured meat, high protein insects, seaweed and algae, and allergen-free nuts will be some of the foods that pave the way for creating a better, more sustainable way of life for humans and animals.

June 2, 2022 -- By 2050, we will need to produce as much as 56% more food than we did in 2010 to feed the world's growing population. While experts agree we can do it using current farming and production practices, it could be catastrophic for the planet.

Technologies can reduce the application of crop inputs such as fertilizer, herbicide, fuel, and water. They can also address water scarcity by promoting the efficient use of water in agriculture. Environmental benefits.

Technological Harvest (20th century)

Postwar, the adoption of tractors and self-propelled machinery marked an era of rapid technological development in farming. Advancements during this time included the grain combine, tractor and machines for spraying, picking, baling and more.

Examples of the Industry 4.0 technologies becoming more prominent on factory floors include: The Internet of Things. The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) Smart Manufacturing.

Industry 4.0 (cyber era): since 2010, smart factories have emerged, providing more autonomy and virtualization of operations. Cloud computing and other advances have optimized the production process, making it more agile, efficient, and cost-effective.

Agricultural technology, also known as “agritech,” encompasses a broad range of disciplines and devices that improve agricultural output. That includes vehicles, robotics, computers, satellites, drones, mobile devices, and software.

Industry 4.0, which encompasses IIoT and smart manufacturing, marries physical production and operations with smart digital technology, machine learning, and big data to create a more holistic and better connected ecosystem for companies that focus on manufacturing and supply chain management.