Impact of IoT in the Agriculture Industry: Everything You Need to Know

The growing adoption of IoT (Internet of Things) has enabled multiple connected devices to penetrate every aspect of our lives. The technology has brought countless advantages to every industry, including Agriculture.

IoT is trenchant, piercing the agriculture sector tremendously and affecting every facet of it. Farming has become industrialized and tech-driven. There are multiple IoT-based gadgets available in the market that have made it easy for farmers to manage their livestock and grow crops effectively, thereby making their day-to-day processes predictable and efficient.

From optimizing resources and increasing farm productivity to reducing overall wastage, smart agriculture backed by IoT is making its way to every farmer worldwide.

In this blog, we will discuss the various applications of IoT in agriculture and how they are projecting traditional farming into a new revolutionary era. Read on if you are also considering diving into building a solution for IoT in the agriculture industry and investing your resources into smart farming.

The Surging Market Growth of the Internet of Things in Agriculture

According to Statista, the global agricultural IoT market is projected to achieve a valuation of $13 billion by 2026. This substantial growth is attributed to the increasing efficacy of crop monitoring and management fueled by the widespread adoption of sensor-based technology, precision agriculture, and innovative smart farming methods.

Other than that, the integration of IoT devices enables the seamless collection and real-time analysis of data through sensors and drones, which maximize the use of available resources. The adoption of IoT solutions by the agricultural sector is compelled by this technology-driven shift, which improves decision-making procedures, lowers operating expenses, and promotes sustainable farming methods.

This cutting-edge technology has the potential to revolutionize the agriculture industry and nurture significant productivity improvements. With the proper implementation, IoT in the agriculture industry has the potential to bring about positive changes in how we produce food across the globe.

Since the IoT technology in the agriculture market is still evolving, there are ample opportunities for agri-businesses looking to join and leverage this growing industry. To understand such opportunities in detail, let us now look at various IoT applications in agriculture and the strong impact of this cutting-edge technology on the sector.

[Also Read: How Much Does It Cost to Develop an IoT App]

How is IoT Used in Agriculture?

From disease control measures to cattle and field monitoring systems, IoT is transforming the agriculture industry by restoring power to the farmers’ hands. Major sectors where this tech has found a solid footing are indoor farming, livestock management, and aquaculture, among others. But how is IoT overcoming challenges and breaking new ground in agriculture? Let’s find out.

1. Robotics

Robots have come a long way since the third industrial revolution, abetted by the development of the internet. Agricultural robots, or agribots, could offer a circumventing solution to the problem of labor shortages. Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) can be deployed to detect and exterminate weeds from the field. They could save farmers time, human resources, and spray volumes by acting precisely as per the demand. This saving translates into healthy soil with fewer pesticides to absorb and more positive bacteria to preserve.

2. Automated Crop Harvesting

One of the most sought-after IoT applications in agriculture is automated crop harvesting. Untimely harvest of crops often turns out to be the plight of farmers. Factors influencing such events could be the weather, untrained personnel, or poor farm management. Harvesting robots could be trained with the information we possess to pick the right fruit at the right time.

Also Read: Food automation – How AI and Robotics are transforming the future of the industry

3. On-Field Navigation

Machine learning, GPS, and the IoT technology utilized in agriculture apps make manned machine navigation a thing of the past. Farmers can remotely control their tractors, rotavators, and agricultural machinery with smartphones.

With each new machine learning algorithm, on-field navigation systems get more advanced and can accurately adjust to various crop kinds. This technology transformation indicates a revolution in agriculture, opening the door to a future of farming that is more automated, networked, and resilient.

4. Remote Sensing

As vigilant safeguards, these in-field sensors watch the environmental factors vital to crop health. Farmers can make timely interventions by gaining significant insights into the subtleties of their fields through real-time data analysis.

These sensors build a responsive ecosystem where data-driven decisions become the cornerstone of contemporary agriculture by interacting effortlessly with IoT systems. By taking preemptive actions to optimize resource consumption and reduce potential risks, farmers can increase production while also promoting sustainability.

Also Read- Breaking the Digital Frontier with Mobile Apps for Agriculture

5. Drones

Yet another best IoT in agriculture examples is the usage of drones. The self-guiding technology uses GPS, image processing, infrared cameras, and ground control systems. New-generation farmers are leveraging Drones-as-a-Service (DaaS) to predict crop yields, diagnose pest infestation, precision fertigation, and field supervision. Aerobotics is one of the few food tech startups that have made their mark in the field. It combines drone scouting and multi-sensor analysis to predict crop health for longevity.

Now that we have studied the IoT applications in agriculture, let us discuss their impact on the agricultural sector.

The Transformative Impact of IoT in the Agriculture Industry

The impact of IoT in agriculture has been tremendous, considering its multiple applications that we have seen above. Technological advancements in agriculture are here to stay and will play a vital role in reforming the future of the industry. Let us now check out the transformative influence of IoT technology on the agriculture industry, shedding light on the promising future prospects that lie ahead in this dynamic technological landscape.

1. Accurate Data Analysis

IoT-based solutions for agriculture have made way for numerous practical applications like crop data analysis, weather forecasting, pest detection, etc. These solutions can leverage machine learning combined with cloud technology and artificial intelligence to analyze the data and statistics while offering accurate results. These applications have enabled farmers to make informed decisions, thereby increasing efficiency and productivity and promoting smart farming practices.

2. Increase in Food Production

Farmers have embraced IoT for agriculture to their advantage, creating intelligent tools capable of measuring and predicting good agricultural practices. These IoT-based tools allow farmers to automate their farming practices, increasing production efficiency. Furthermore, IoT has enabled farmers to better understand various crops and the environmental factors that influence their agricultural productivity.

3. Increased Farm Efficiency

The use of IoT for agriculture has been increasing, resulting in a significant increase in farm productivity and efficiency. This is possible with the help of multiple IoT devices, such as soil moisture sensors, irrigation devices, and more, which can collect and process data for analyzing crop health, temperature conditions, soil quality, and pest detection. This data is then used to make timely decisions, increasing crop yields.

4. Smart Farming

The emergence of smart farming systems in various parts of the globe is attributed to IoT. Smart farming is one of the major applications of IoT in agriculture automation that allows users to manage and control the various aspects of the farm remotely and automatically. It starts with the collection and storage of data with the help of an IoT device.

John Deere is a leader in precision agriculture using IoT technology in smart farming. By integrating IoT devices, such as sensors on farm equipment, their precision farming solutions optimize planting, harvesting, and other farming operations, improving productivity and resource use.

The data collected then provides insights into the multiple farm conditions, such as soil and crop conditions, which can be further monitored daily to determine the optimal time for fertilizer praying, watering the crops, pest removal, and pesticide application. By utilizing IoT devices in agriculture, farmers can maximize their yields and enhance the efficiency of their operations.

5. Real-Time Crop Planning and Forecasting

One of the most sought-after advantages of IoT in agriculture is real-time crop planning and forecasting. The Internet of Things has redefined how farmers forecast crop conditions and quality. Farmers can save time and money by utilizing IoT in farming, as they won’t need to guess the best time to harvest their crops. They can make informed decisions based on real-time data and would no longer need to wait an entire season before analyzing the forecast data.

6. Agricultural Automation

IoT for agriculture has the potential to revolutionize the industry, allowing for a much more streamlined and efficient process. Sending elements like IoT-based flow sensors, light sensors, pressure sensors, and more allows for the automation and simplification of multiple farm processes. They can help in data collection, watering, crop monitoring, harvesting, etc., all of which can be made much more efficient and effective using these sensing elements.

7. Drought Monitoring

Many farmers face a significant challenge in the form of drought conditions. Fortunately, using Internet of Things solutions can assist them in detecting water shortages before they become a severe problem. Additionally, some systems can even provide information on the optimal times and locations to irrigate crops, thus enabling farmers to maximize their crop watering efforts.

One real-life example of weather monitoring technology is exemplified by allMETEO. The official distributor of BARANI DESIGN Technologies, allMETEO, plays a vital role in weather monitoring and is renowned for its precision in atmospheric measurement technology.

8. Livestock Tracking

The agricultural sector has witnessed revolutionized growth through wireless IoT-based applications, such as livestock GPS tools. These tools can allow farmers to collect factual data and information about their cattle’s well-being, health, and whereabouts, which further helps prevent the spread of diseases and reduce labor expenditures.

With this IoT for agriculture application, farmers can now enjoy 24/7 real-time, remote visibility of their livestock, providing greater control and insight into their operations. Consider SCR from Allflex and Cowlar, which uses collar tags as advanced agricultural sensors. These innovative devices offer combined data on the entire herd and detailed information on individual cows, including temperature, health, activity, and nutrition measurements.

Navigating from the groundbreaking impact of IoT in agriculture, let’s now delve into the crucial factors to consider before building your IoT-based agriculture solution.

Factors to Consider Before Building Your IoT-Based Agriculture Solution

Before developing IoT-based agricultural solutions, there are a few important things to consider. A thorough strategy is necessary for everything from guaranteeing data security and regulatory compliance to assessing scalability and interoperability. Let’s check them out:

1. Data Management Strategy

To handle an increasing amount of agricultural data, scalability and adaptability should be prioritized. This entails utilizing cloud-based technologies for effective processing and storage, enabling smooth growth as the agricultural IoT ecosystem develops.

Including sophisticated data analytics tools makes it easier to do predictive analytics and support real-time decision-making, allowing farmers to solve problems and streamline their processes for long-term efficiency proactively.

2. Data Security and Privacy

To safeguard sensitive agricultural data, prioritize strong security measures. Use access controls, secure communication protocols, and encryption to protect data from cyber risks and unauthorized access.

Update security procedures frequently to keep up with emerging cyber threats and vulnerabilities. To guarantee a thorough and robust defense against potential dangers in the agricultural IoT landscape, it is important to establish clear policies and educate stakeholders about data security standards.

Also Read- How to prevent data breach on your app

3. Interoperability

Choose IoT technologies and devices that follow common standards to promote interoperability. This prevents compatibility problems and ensures effective communication between the various agricultural system components.

Furthermore, it precedes industry-standard protocols and open-source solutions to improve compatibility among multiple platforms and devices. Conduct compatibility testing and upgrades regularly to ensure smooth integration and promote a connected ecosystem. This will make it easier for farmers to integrate new devices and technologies into their agricultural infrastructure.

4. Regulatory Compliance

Stay informed about and abide by local laws regarding data privacy in agriculture. Ensure that your IoT solution conforms with applicable laws, safeguarding the integrity of the data acquired and the users.

Establish a specific compliance monitoring system as well to keep an eye on regulatory changes and quickly modify the IoT solution as necessary. In addition to ensuring compliance with changing legal requirements, routine audits and documentation procedures will increase user confidence.

5. Scalability

Consider your IoT solution’s capacity to grow or adapt as agricultural operations evolve in the future. Make sure the system can easily include more sensors and devices as needed. Additionally, use a modular architecture that facilitates simple scaling, allowing for the inclusion of new features and the integration of developing technologies without interfering with ongoing business operations.

To ensure long-term sustained efficiency and adaptability, periodically review and update the scalability plan in accordance with the changing needs and growth trajectories of agricultural enterprises.

With these factors known, let us now analyze the benefits of implementing IoT in agriculture in terms of economic and environmental aspects.

Benefits of Implementing IoT Technology in Agriculture

Implementing IoT in the agriculture industry reduces costs, increases productivity, and opens up growth opportunities, all of which have positive economic effects. At the same time, it promotes climate-adaptive and biodiversity-friendly methods, minimizes the environmental impact of farming operations, and maximizes the use of resources. Here are some of the benefits of the Internet of Things in agriculture.

1. Cost Savings

Precision farming is made possible by IoT in smart agriculture, which maximizes the utilization of resources. Smart monitoring of fertilizers, water, and energy leads to cost-effective farming practices, thus reducing overall operational expenses.

2. Predictive Maintenance

IoT sensors on agricultural machinery reduce downtime and prevent malfunctions. This increases the equipment’s lifespan and lessens the need for expensive emergency repairs.

3. Resource Optimization

Water, fertilizers, and pesticides are just a few of the resources that IoT helps to precisely manage. This encourages ecologically friendly and sustainable farming methods by preventing misuse and reducing waste.

4. Decreased Environmental Impact

IoT reduces agriculture’s environmental impact by enabling the focused application of inputs. This involves less chemical input dependency and fewer machine emissions due to streamlined operations.

5. Increased Productivity

Farmers can make more informed decisions by using real-time data analytics from IoT devices, which give them insights into the health of their crops. Higher agricultural yields and enhanced productivity have a beneficial effect on economic returns.

The Promising Future of IoT in the Agriculture Industry

IoT in agriculture has a bright future as the sector continues to be revolutionized by the technology. You can anticipate greater AI and ML integration in agricultural operations that would help farmers in predictive analytics, precision farming, and smarter decision-making. Drone and satellite technologies will improve data collection and monitoring even more.

IoT will allow farmers to maximize resource use, reduce climate risk, and implement eco-friendly methods emphasizing sustainability. The IoT ecosystem will keep expanding, generating apt solutions for pertaining challenges and guaranteeing a future for global agriculture that is more technologically advanced, robust, and efficient.

How Can Appinventiv Help You Achieve Agriculture Mobility?

The Internet of Things will continue to expand its application territory into the foreseeable future for varied industries, the foremost of which shall remain agriculture. With a well-established line of achievements, Appinventiv offers top-notch agriculture software development services tailored to your custom business requirements.

Appinventiv has been pivotal in aiding multiple startups and enterprises in accomplishing their digital transformation journey. Our years of expertise in IoT development services can assure you of comprehensive agriculture solutions that can help your business scale. Our team of experts has helped many organizations streamline their operations and maximize their business potential. We strive to continue providing our clients with innovative solutions to help them stay ahead of the competition.

For instance, we created MAAN, an agriculture education-based mobile app for NMA nations. The app is a web platform that allows everyone looking to improve the nourishment condition of the NMA region to come together to discuss and share experiences, articles, notes, and more related to nutrition and agriculture.

The app has ultimately created a community of people who are looking to work for a single cause and improve the nutritional conditions of the remote mountain areas of the NMA region.

Get in touch with our expert developers if you wish to dive into the IoT in agriculture market and gain a unique perspective of the ever-changing ecosystem with smart farming.

FAQs

Q. How is IoT implemented in agriculture?

A. IoT is implemented in agriculture by deploying smart sensors for real-time monitoring of weather, crop health, and soil conditions. One noteworthy example is crop monitoring systems, which enable farmers to monitor soil moisture and nutrient levels closely. These tools are also very helpful in the early detection of pests and diseases, providing a proactive method of managing soil health.

Another IoT in agriculture example is the usage of automation equipment in greenhouses. These gadgets maximize resource usage, guaranteeing a more sustainable and effective agricultural process by controlling temperature, humidity, and irrigation.

Q. What are the benefits of IoT for agriculture?

A. The various advantages of IoT for agriculture include the following:

• Seamless data utilization
• Improved crop quality
• Livestock tracking
• Risk reduction
• Business automation

Q. How is IoT transforming the future of agriculture?

A. The Internet of Things is revolutionizing the agricultural industry, enabling farmers to reduce waste and enhance productivity. By leveraging IoT technology, farmers can precisely monitor and adjust the quantity of fertilizer used and the amount of water used for irrigating a field.

Furthermore, IoT-enabled systems can ensure that farm produce is transported optimally and transparently while ensuring the upstream and downstream of the farm value chain are sustainable and efficient. In this way, IoT technology has revolutionized the agricultural industry, enabling growers and farmers to reduce waste and enhance productivity.

Q. What are the challenges of implementing IoT in agriculture, and how can you overcome those?

A. Here are some of the common challenges that farmers face while adopting and implementing IoT in agriculture with its potential solutions:

High initial expenditures: Few farmers find it difficult to adopt IoT technology due to the high upfront expenditures, which include the cost of purchasing sensors and other devices.

Solution: Governments and agricultural organizations can help farmers get more access to IoT technology by offering financial support, subsidies, or incentives.

Restricted connection in remote areas: It can be difficult to build a strong network for IoT devices in many rural places due to restricted connections. The smooth operation of IoT systems can be impeded by inadequate connectivity.

Solution: Investing in rural broadband efforts or other improvements to connectivity infrastructure can help with issues relating to poor network availability in remote places.

Data security and privacy concerns: The gathering and sharing of private agriculture data raises data security and privacy problems. Without guarantees of strong data protection protocols, farmers would be reluctant to implement IoT technologies.

Solution: Implementing robust data encryption and privacy measures can reduce concerns about data security, fostering trust among farmers.

Lack of technical knowledge: Many farmers lack the knowledge necessary to set up and maintain Internet of Things systems. Support and training are necessary for broad adoption.

Solution: Programs aimed at teaching and preparing farmers to use IoT technology can improve their technical know-how and confidence in adopting these solutions.

THE AUTHOR

Sudeep Srivastava

Co-Founder and Director