The Future of Agriculture: How Technology Is Transforming the Farming Industry

Technological advancements in the farming industry have increased at an exponential rate over the past few decades. The United States Department of Agriculture estimates the demand for food will increase by 70 to 100 percent by 2050. As agriculture experts work to help companies bring new technologies to market, and these innovations work to make farming more productive. Increasing the amount of food produced requires the industry to continually explore technologies that will increase yields, decrease water usage, reduce negative environmental impacts and increase overall efficiency within agriculture. Let’s explore some of the key technologies that are shaping the future of the farming industry.

Vertical Farms 

As the demand for food increases, vertical farming allows crops to be grown indoors and year-round. Vertical farms are often found in urban areas, which makes food available to consumers faster, thus reducing environmental impacts caused from transporting food long distances. Vertical farms use nontraditional growing systems such as hydroponics and aquaponics where crops are grown in stacked layers. This system requires less land, less water, and it typically uses less pesticides. For these reasons, vertical farming will be instrumental in increasing productivity and sustainability. Vertical farming is still being modified and tested, but the market for vertical farming is expected to grow to $27.42 billion in 2030. This is a good indication that vertical farming will be vital to increasing food production, especially in urban areas.

Robotics and Automation

Increasing food production is not the only issue the agriculture industry is facing. Labor shortages, particularly during harvest season, make the farmer’s job even more difficult. Robotics and automation are helping to solve some of these issues. Robots in agriculture can accomplish tasks such as monitoring pests, planting, weeding and harvesting. Self-driving tractors and automation machinery that can feed, milk and monitor livestock are streamlining livestock operations. Bringing this machinery to farmers across the world is not an easy task, and farmers have to know their investment in this machinery will be worth it. Agriculture experts work tirelessly to ensure these technologies will operate efficiently and increase the farmer’s yield while also considering profits and sustainability.

Water Efficiency Technologies 

The agriculture technology market is seeing an increase in water efficiency technologies. Drought and low water quality has affected the farming industry heavily in the past few years. In October of 2022, it was reported that 6 out of every 10 acres in the U.S. experienced drought. As farmers work to deal with drought, various technologies such as sensors that determine crop water needs prevent over watering, thus preserving water in times of drought. Another technology addressing water issues is one that keeps soil moist by promoting water penetration.  Technologies that assist farmers in rainwater harvesting are also becoming popular as limiting water use is now essential. Water efficiency technologies will be a concern that agriculture experts will continue to address through research and product development. 

Final Thoughts 

The future of agriculture and feeding a growing population depends on the development and implementation of technologies by researchers, agriculture experts, farmers and ranchers. Vertical farming, robotics, automation machinery and water efficiency technologies are just some of the many ways technologies are influencing agriculture. These technologies along with many other innovations will continue to increase productivity, profitability and sustainability.