AI and Automation Meet Agriculture

We often talk about how AI and emerging technologies are transforming fields such as the automotive industry, but what about the actual fields? Somewhat under the radar, AI has also been transforming how our country’s farms are run, and the ways that a dwindling workforce are making the most out of their crops and fields. In this post, we examine automation in agriculture.

An Industry in Trouble

In a changing world, the agricultural industry has come up against a number of daunting issues. In addition to facing a shrinking number of workers still willing to maintain the physical labor farming often requires, demand to produce is as high as it’s ever been with such a large global population. On top of that, farm operators are experiencing a concerning decline in crop yields and other impacts related to the climate crisis.

A Market on the Rise

Throughout its history, though, farming has often been reimagined thanks to the new inventions introduced by varying generations. To meet today’s challenges, AI and automation are ready to follow that tradition. Researchers have estimated that the market for AI-powered tools designed specifically for the agriculture industry will reach $12 billion by 2032. In fact, BBC reports that 87% of agricultural businesses in the US were already using AI as of late 2021. The US government has also incentivized tech integration by offering grants to research institutes specifically focused on the advancement of AI in agriculture.

AI to the Rescue

So, what benefits do AI and automation bring to agriculture? While there are several, they can be summarized into a few categories. Firstly, and much like other industries, they offer predictive services. Sensors on self-driving tractors, which have already been launched by John Deere, can help identify which crops need more attention. These technologies are also able to pick up tasks that may be left unfilled due to labor shortages. For instance, robots can be introduced to take on produce sorting, plant seeds, or remove weeds. Building on those two concepts together, AI-trained cameras have been added to crop sprayers in order to focus treatments only on crops in need rather than wastefully spraying an entire field.

Alongside crops, such predictive measures can be applied to livestock as well. AI-enhanced operations can monitor animal well-being, facilities, and more. If you’ll recall, our AtomTech team took a field trip to a nearby Michigan-based dairy farm utilizing a robot milking machine and rf tags.

Additionally, AI has the potential to assist the agriculture industry in addressing the many climate-related problems it faces. Along with reducing the amount of chemicals used, which are often linked to harmful effects, AI can track climate trend forecasts. This can help determine where crops will best thrive in shifting environments. It can also support soil health efforts. Through machine-learning methods, scientists and farmers can better understand what is impacting soil.

Sources:

●      “US farms are making an urgent push into AI. It could help feed the world” - Sam Becker, BBC
https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20240325-artificial-intelligence-ai-us-agriculture-farming

●      “3 ways AI can help farmers tackle the challenges of modern agriculture” - Joe Hollis, The Conservation
https://theconversation.com/3-ways-ai-can-help-farmers-tackle-the-challenges-of-modern-agriculture-213210

●      “There’s an app for that: How AI is ploughing a farming revolution” - Ben Payton, Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/land-use-biodiversity/theres-an-app-that-how-ai-is-ploughing-farming-revolution-2024-01-15/

●      “Major role seen for AI in farming” - Leah Sosland, Food Business News
https://www.foodbusinessnews.net/articles/25728-major-role-seen-for-ai-in-farming