Technology has become a transformative force in modern agriculture, revolutionising every aspect of the industry, from seed breeding to harvest, and from farm management to distribution.
This Gather to Grow session on Instagram Live delved into the dynamic landscape of agricultural technology, exploring how advancements in robotics, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and data analytics are reshaping the way farmers in South Africa grow, process, and distribute food.
What is in store for the farmer
Ayanda Vana, the chief operating officer of the Khula App, said what is critical to understand for farmers who want to use technology, is that it will improve productivity in their operations and increase efficiency, ensuring that all the operational inputs such as water and fertiliser are fully inserted onto the soil.
“It is important to remember that technology is not a modern day thing; it has been around for a long time. Our forefathers used it in their way. For farmers having technology in your operations will surely make their operations sustainable and profitable,” she explained.
Vana said it is important that farmers are educated on the benefits technology brings to their farms. “We cannot over-emphasise [the] efficiency and sustainability technology brings to a farmer.”
She added that the ability to detect weeds in crops or diseases in livestock gives the farmer a chance to proactively deal with it before it becomes a financial burden.
Samkelo Booi, the co-founder of Abelusi, said there is nowhere farmers can run to as technology is here to stay and they need to adjust to it.
“Being able to optimise and able to do farming much better, that is what precision farming is and the benefits it has can do for farmers. It can also address issues on the farm that a farmer might not be able to know about. Precision farming is able to optimise resources and use the tools you have,” he said.
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The benefits of precision technology
Meanwhile, Yannick Irakoze, business unit manager at Black Bear Services, said their products are aimed at key data-driven decisions which expose farmers to various data to choose from for their operations.
“Our thought process is for a farmer to think holistically as much as possible. Our products are aimed at integrating what is happening in your farm, real-time insights, field operations and as such a farmer can make a decision,” he said.
Attendees of the session agreed that the convergence of agriculture and artificial intelligence has given rise to autonomous farming systems, where machines equipped with advanced algorithms and sensors can perform tasks with unparalleled efficiency and precision.
From autonomous tractors and robotic harvesters to smart irrigation systems, AI-powered technologies are revolutionising farm operations, reducing labour costs, and increasing productivity.
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