Revolutionizing Agriculture: The Rise of Autonomous Farming

Photo byNew Holland

• Autonomous tractors could help solve farming labor shortages
• Drones and seed-planting robots increase accuracy and efficiency
• The equipment market for autonomous farming is projected to reach $95 billion by 2027efficiency

Autonomous farming promises to produce more crops with less effort and less environmental impact. Self-driving tractors, seed-planting robots, and agricultural drones are poised to influence future food supplies.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, farming in Pennsylvania is an $81 billion-a-year industry. Farmers say local workers aren’t interested in the jobs available, and labor shortages have hit other industries.

The ag industry is competing with jobs in restaurants and warehouses that offer things that farmers can’t afford—like a bump in starting salary, a bonus for applying, less labor-intensive responsibilities, and air conditioning.

Autonomous Farming Will Change Agriculture

Agriculture’s growing needs are driving the autonomous farming equipment market. According to Global Market Insights Inc, analysts expect the sector to increase beyond $95 billion by 2027.

Photo byJohn Deere

Autonomous Tractors Will Ease Farming Labor Shortages

Farmworker recruitment is struggling. Autonomous trackers remove human input from labour-intensive tasks, reducing pressure on the labor supply.

John Deere recently revealed its first fully autonomous tractor, the 8R,. The company launched the first commercially successful steel plough in 1837.

Without being behind the wheel, farmers can position a tractor, drive the length of a field, turn around and come back, and avoid obstacles easily

Driverless tractors aim to free farmers from 8-12-hour days of driving. Farmers take control of their equipment with a phone or computer app. Farmers can position a tractor, drive the length of a field without being behind the wheel, turn around and come back, and avoid obstacles easily.

Photo byHylio

Agricultural Drones Support Sustainable Farming

Agricultural drones help farmers increase crop production and monitor crop growth for maximum outputs.

Farmers use drones to extract soil samples and check soil and crop temperatures and moisture levels. DJI makes a drone that provides monitoring and targeted pesticide spraying services.

The New Vision for Agriculture (NVA) initiative, launched by the World Economic Forum, helps the agricultural sector World Economic Forum sustainably nourish a growing world population. The NVA touches more than 650 organizations and 100+ value-chain initiatives.

Photo byHorsch

Productivity Increases with Seed-planting Robots

Seed sowing requires human effort and is time-consuming. Seed-sowing robots plant seeds in the desired position and depth, removing the necessary human element.

Farming equipment maker Fendt, is testing a small autonomous seed-planting robot the size of a washing machine.

Technology is helping farmers increase productivity and reduce the costs of the overall farming operation. Robots, autonomous machinery, drones, and planning and mapping software have taken hold. Farmers are mixing new ideas with old, tried-and-true methods to customize farming methods and meet their individual needs.

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Douglas Pilarski is an award-winning writer and journalist based on the West Coast. His writing resonates with those passionate about luxury goods, exotic cars, horology, tech, food, agriculture, lifestyle, historical events, equestrian/rodeo, and millionaire travel.

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