Farming technologies provide sustainable methods of agricultural production by increasing global crop yield to meet rising demand for food caused by income and population growth. Major part of the world’s population is involved directly or indirectly with farming and agribusiness.

Modern Farming Technology

Modern agriculture is an evolving approach with innovations in farming practices that helps in increasing agricultural efficiency and reduce the loss of natural resources. By applying this modern technology, farmers are gaining more profits and able to increase their productivity of yield.
Some of the modern techniques like selected variety of hybrid seeds of a single crop; bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides; technologically advanced equipment and energy subsidies in the form of irrigation water are commonly employed by the farmers. The sensors used to detect moisture in the soil help farmers to create irrigation systems for crops based on soil moisture and temperature. Working in low visibility field conditions like rain,dust and fog is possible with the help of modern technologies. Agricultural robots automate agricultural processes of fruit picking, crop harvesting, soil maintenance, irrigation, ploughing, planting, weeding and others. These robots automate slow and repetitive tasks for farmers to ensure focus on improving overall production yields. Land-augmenting technological changes involve technical, chemical and biological modifications to beintroduced in agriculture.

Importance in Agribusiness

Technology plays an important role in developing farming industry and improving agribusiness. Scientists have managed to grow crops in deserts and other adverse conditions through genetic engineering which introduces traits into existing genes with a goal to create crops; resistant to pests, droughts and plant pathogens. This technology can improve insect or pest resistance, herbicide or drought tolerance and disease resistance; giving farmers an additional tool to increase crop yield. Farmers with the help of scientists have used plant breeding and selection techniques to improve crop yield. Technology is also used to protect the crops by monitoring the growth and detecting diseases in plants. Automation allows application of fertilizers, pesticides and water uniformly across the fields without the physical presence of farmers. The use of global positioning system (GPS), site-specific farming and precision farming has helped in farm planning, field or yield mapping, soil sampling, tractor guidance and crop scouting.
Use of farming technologies like modified animal housing, motorized or automated equipment and biotechnological techniques has allowed improvement in agriculture and positively impacted the way of farming and growing food. Decreased use of fertilizer, pesticides and water in turn keeps food prices down and reduces environmental pollution and gives a positive impact on natural ecosystems. Beneficial effects of agriculture include; saving of countries foreign exchange; cutting import bill and reducing import; increase in crop productivity and enhanced agribusiness; and improvement in living standard of farmers. Positive effects of bio-fuel production from agricultural sources include decreased dependence on fossil fuels, increased farmers’ income and protection of natural ecosystem.

Online Course in Agribusiness

James Lind Institute (JLI) will soon be launching online Agriculture related courses to understand modern agricultural practices.
For more information please visit: www.jliedu.com