Smart farming is an ever evolving-field of technology that farmers are embracing globally. New technologies may seem daunting to implement into your farm, and a large investment – but it is certainly worth it. Utilising smart agricultural systems, you can greatly improve the effectiveness of your farm, increasing production and profits.
Smart farming is a technology that allows the user to manage and control different aspects of the farm through the use of a technology known as an IoT system (Internet of Things). This system communicates to devices and smart farming systems through a local and secure network across your farm.
So why do we need smart agriculture? Manage and monitor irrigation levels without the need for a farmhand to go and do it manually, allowing them to prioritise their time doing other things. Operate and maintain automated machinery through AI machine learning. Track livestock and crop health to make informed decisions in real time.
These are only a few of the benefits offered by smart agriculture. Read on to learn why you need smart agriculture, and how both your farm and the Australian agriculture industry as a whole can benefit.
Reduced Costs
Reducing the costs of materials and fertilisers is a big part of what Smart Farming is all about. IoT technology is able to process and understand exactly what different areas of a farm needs, managing and filtering the many different parts of a farm all at once.
Maybe some of your crops don’t require a certain fertiliser, but the majority of the other crops on your farm do. An IoT system is able to micro-manage this on the fly in seconds and adjust for the different levels required for each crop. Crop monitoring is able to account for heavy rainfalls and compensate and adjust the water levels in the irrigation systems automatically.
Smart Farming allows farmers to spend only the necessary amount required for their materials. By micro-managing the material usage, your farm will be operating at its most cost-efficient level.
More Sustainable
Climate change is affecting all of us, and farmers especially. It’s the ideal time for farmers to implement climate-smart agriculture systems to make their work more sustainable. IoT systems are able to micro-manage so many different parts of the farm all at once.
Smart farms optimise water, energy and land usage, reducing the impact it has on the environment. Powerful and intelligent sensors that are placed throughout the farm are able to measure and collect data, analysing and processing exactly what your farm needs, ensuring sustainable food production. Your farm will execute and operate more cleanly, minimising the carbon footprint it has on our environment.
Better Efficiency
Perhaps one of the most exciting aspects of smart farming is that it can manage and control so many aspects of the farm in an instant, freeing farmers from having to do so many tasks during the day. Autonomous machinery allows for faster and higher quality food production. This automation means that farmers can better prioritise their time on something that needs their attention rather than time being wasted on a task that a machine can do for you in an instant.
It also saves you from having to check on livestock or different areas of the property; instead, check it all in an instant on your connected smart device.
Safer
Now that farmers are able to better manage their time on the field it also reduces the risks that can be involved in farming. Having automated machinery, that is specifically engineered and designed to fit your farm means that workers can operate at a safe4 distance from potentially dangerous machines.
Surveillance cameras can be installed and provide a direct feed to an IoT capable device such as a tablet or smart phones, so any chances of risk on the farm can be observed at a safe distance.
High-quality crop yields
Powerful processors are able to analyse areas of your farms through the usage of precision sensors, satellite imagery, and weather sensors. IoT capable smart farms understand and provide the best conditions for crops, taking into account seasonal changes, rain, and temperature all throughout the year. IoT smart solutions are able to help produce a better product, ensuring your farm can produce the highest quality crop yield possible.
Increased land value
The profitability of a farm is defined by more than the quality of the crop yield. If you’re looking at selling your farm, land prices can be driven higher by having smart farming technologies installed. Smart precision farming is in high demand in the farming and agricultural industry, because of the proven benefits it offers.
Allow for better decision making by the farmers
It may sound like a smart farm acts independently from the farmers, but that isn’t true. The interconnected communication system that communicates with an IoT device is able to provide farmers with the most up to date and accurate readings for them to better understand and manage what specifically needs attention on the farm. Better informed decisions can be made with easy to understand data at their fingertips.
Ready to upgrade your farm?
Utilising Smart Farming is a no brainer. We at Remote Power Solutions offer smart agriculture automation systems and platforms that increase productivity, safety, and quality, all while increasing your profit.
The world is changing; population is growing at an increased rate, and food is being demanded at a higher quality and at a faster rate. To cater to this higher demand, adaptation to new technologies must be embraced. Through the use of IoT based systems and precision farming, farmers can keep up with this high demand in an ever-changing world.
Get in touch with Remote Power Solutions to learn more about our smart farming solutions. Farmers deserve to utilise a technology that makes their jobs more sustainable and profitable – and we’re here to help you in that journey.