AI and improved crop protection proving essential for future harvest volume

This article is part of our special report Next-generation farming, sowing the seeds of data-driven agritech success.

According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), farmers will need to produce 70% more food to feed the predicted 9.1 billion population in 2050. They will also need to do this while navigating the intense pressures of the climate crisis.

Global warming is making it more difficult to predict growing conditions and hurting crop yields. Add biodiversity loss and consumers’ changing tastes in how food is produced, and farmers will struggle under the pressure.

Faced with these challenges, growers worldwide are having to rethink several techniques to safeguard their produce and manage their resources. Farmers in the US are turning to emerging robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) tools to help them design new agricultural practices that are resilient to climate change while increasing profits with reduced resources, energy, chemicals, and water.

In Europe, farmers in Italy adopted several digital technologies to help them, particularly with water conservation. In Poland, one start-up created technology to prevent food waste by accurately forecasting how much farmers need to produce while guaranteeing them an income.

The complexities of crop yields

Crop yield refers to the quantity of seeds or crops produced from a specific land area and is commonly expressed in kilograms per hectare or bushels per acre. This metric evaluates a farmer’s agricultural output for a particular field over a given timeframe and is arguably the most critical indicator of a farmer’s performance.

This is because it reflects the culmination of all efforts and resources devoted to plant cultivation in their fields. Increasing crop yields is crucial to improving food security and living standards and reducing human environmental impacts.

But crop yield prediction remains tricky as several factors must be considered, including optimal soil conditions, adequate soil nutrients, plant health and genetics, weather conditions, and agricultural practices.

Old new ways to increase crop yields

Efforts to increase crop yields date back centuries. Crop rotation is just one long-standing method and remains a fundamental agricultural practice that has been refined over the years to maximise farmlands' productivity and health.

Planting different types of crops successively on the same plot of land offers several benefits, including improved soil fertility and better management of pests and diseases.

Several technologies now allow for crop monitoring and management. Farmers use drones for aerial imaging, soil moisture sensors to monitor water levels, and data analytics platforms to track crop growth and predict yields.

Field productivity zoning, which divides fields into zones based on expected yield levels, has evolved to incorporate satellite imagery and data-driven methods. This allows farmers to make informed decisions about crop selection, irrigation, and planting density.

Technology-aided regular scouting helps farmers inspect crop health and identify potential pest threats, enabling timely interventions to protect and maximise yields.

Data-driven approaches also use artificial intelligence, GPS tracking systems, and satellite imagery to optimise farming operations. Remote sensing technologies, such as yield monitoring sensors and variable-rate fertiliser application tools, help farmers apply inputs more precisely and efficiently.

Genetic engineering and alternative farming methods, such as hydroponics and vertical farming, are also being explored to increase yields and adapt to changing environmental conditions.

Yet, even with all these advanced farming aides, missing a rain shower or one rain shower too many can completely change the yield outlook for an entire season. Accurate weather prediction, therefore, is another integral tool in the farmers’ toolboxes.

Consequently, technologies that harness the power of AI, machine learning, and advanced data modelling techniques to provide farmers with increasingly more accurate insights are also being increasingly adopted.

No shortage of challenges

Despite technology's enormous potential and the benefits reaped by those who adopt it, farming remains a complex business with numerous ongoing challenges.

According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), adopting digital technologies in agriculture faces significant challenges, particularly for smallholder farmers in developing regions.

These include the high costs of precision agriculture solutions, the lack of digital infrastructure, and farmers' limited digital literacy, which pose substantial barriers to widespread implementation.

Additionally, in rural and remote areas worldwide, the absence of reliable internet connectivity and electricity further hinders the adoption of digital farming techniques.

Many technologies also require specialised knowledge to fully reap their benefits. Small producers often need an agronomist or consultant on their team, which can be a barrier.

Other challenges include difficulties adapting technologies designed for larger farms to smaller, more diverse plots and the need for ongoing maintenance and support when technical issues or equipment breakdowns disrupt farming operations.

Growing digital communities

Most of the EU's 10 million farms are small farms with less than two hectares of land. While these farms are often seen as the solution to more sustainable and secure food systems, they struggle to afford and adopt technical solutions.

To address this, the EU launched its Farmtopia initiative to make digital farming accessible and cost-effective for small-scale farmers. Part of Horizon Europe, the EU’s main funding programme for research and innovation, the three-year project, which runs from September 2023 to August 2026, aims to give over 64,000 small farms access to digital technologies and training.

The project uses a collaborative approach, including farmers, technology providers, farm advisors, scientists, and policymakers, to properly reflect the growers’ needs.

This strategy aligns with the recommendations made by international organisations like the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the OECD, which underscore how these challenges require a cooperative effort involving multiple participants from the public and private sectors, civil society, and academia, where solutions are centred around the user's needs and adapted to local contexts.

Additionally, an open and community-driven approach to designing digital solutions, including open-source technologies and standards, helps keep the tools relevant and adaptable to evolving farmer needs while attracting new contributors who can bring fresh perspectives and innovations.

[Edited By Brian Maguire | Euractiv's Advocacy Lab ]