Empowering the use of technology in agriculture an important step towards global food security

To nourish the growing global population, we must increase agricultural production. In the times ahead, producing 60% more food will be essential to feed an expanding population. Climate change poses a significant challenge to achieving this crucial goal. The use of technology in agriculture is extremely important in the modern era to enhance crop yields. The proper implementation of various technological measures results in higher productivity for farmers, strengthening their economic condition.

Technical Measures:

Seed Quality:
High-quality seeds are not only disease-resistant but also adequately hydrated, increasing the likelihood of higher productivity. Today, for agricultural growth, farmers require new seeds with expertise in combating the prevailing climatic conditions. These seeds should possess resistance against emerging climatic challenges.

Crop Development Monitoring:

Monitoring crop development is the optimal way for farmers to enhance productivity competitively. For information on soil conditions or diseases, farmers can now utilize drones to capture aerial images of their fields. The use of soil moisture dialogue sensors and data analysis platforms can assist in monitoring water levels in the soil, providing support in tracking crop growth and predicting its contribution.

Appropriate Irrigation for Crops:

Insufficient or excessive water can hinder plant development and reduce crop yields. Particularly, the Southern and Southeast Asian regions, including Indonesia and India, are experiencing this impactful weather pattern, El Niño. El Niño often leads to drought, making it challenging for plants to receive the necessary water for their growth.

Weather Forecasting:

Small-scale farmers, aiming to protect their crops and enhance their yield, rely on weather forecasts. Agriculture in India is a vital economic activity directly linked to weather conditions. The timely sowing of crops is a crucial process that significantly influences their yield. In this context, accurate weather forecasting, especially for predicting rainfall during the sowing season, plays a vital role.

Precision Agriculture:

Precision agriculture is a data-driven approach that involves technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), GPS tracking systems, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and satellite imagery. In this agricultural perspective, the installation of cameras on drones and sensors on boots is often included. This allows for the examination of whether the plants are healthy or distressed.

Remote Sensing Technology for Agriculture:

Remote sensing technology employs various sensors, GPS technology, and data analysis to gather and interpret relevant information about crops without physical interaction. Due to the high cost of local sensors, companies are investing in value-friendly Smartphone sensors for smallholder farmers. The use of these Smartphone-based sensors is similar to local sensors, measuring factors such as plant density, biomass, temperature, and humidity to assess crop yield.

GPS Navigation System: In agriculture, the GPS system utilizes satellite technology to enable farmers to use their equipment more accurately. Its most crucial function is to provide navigation assistance to farmers, allowing them to understand the precise location of their farming tools. This helps in tasks such as planting, spraying, or harvesting, ensuring equal coverage and avoiding empty spaces.

Telematics - New Technology in Agriculture: Telematics is driven by the purpose of sending information remotely. It is a system that contributes to enhancing the capabilities of operational agricultural equipment. Telematics allows real-time data transmission from active agricultural tools to central control centers or mobile devices.

Regular Inspection: From the seeds sown to the crops grown, farmers need to monitor the health of their crops, a practice known as 'regular inspection.

Smart Use of Fertilizers: The smart use of fertilizers is a modern agricultural practice that optimizes fertilizer usage through technological means. Applying fertilizers at the right time and in the right quantity is emphasized in this approach.

Soil Testing and Quality Assessment: Soil testing assists farmers in identifying the nutrient levels in their soil. This information can be utilized to formulate advanced nutrient plans, ensuring crops receive the required nourishment for increased productivity. For small-scale farmers unable to update their soil testing tools, DNA extraction and sequencing could be a cost-effective and reliable option.

Agricultural Technology: The first set of changes impacting farmers directly relates to their environment. The effects of unforeseen rainfall, floods, and extreme temperatures are evident on their crops. Therefore, it is crucial for them to have the right to use the latest technologies for adapting to changing conditions in their fields.

Conclusion: The judicious and meaningful use of technology in agriculture is a crucial step towards global food security. To nourish the growing population, it is imperative to embrace the latest technologies in agricultural production. From seeds to crop development, irrigation, weather forecasting, regular inspection, and smart use of fertilizers - utilizing technological solutions in all these areas wisely and intelligently ensures that farmers achieve higher yields and secure crops. In particular, adopting new technologies like precision agriculture, remote sensing techniques, GPS navigation, and telematics can aid farmers in mitigating risks associated with disasters. The correct application of these technologies not only enhances productivity in agriculture but also positions us to become leaders in sustainable and cooperative farming by utilizing natural resources responsibly. By combining these efforts, we are moving towards a new and progressive future, where food security is a right for all, and we can envision a safe and prosperous future for everyone.