Technology for farmers

From vast fields to small farms, digital technology is becoming a valuable partner, helping farmers increase productivity, reduce costs, and improve product quality.

Overview of the Foire de Libramont agricultural fair, Belgium. Photo: LIBRAMONT

At Belgium's largest annual agricultural fair, Foire de Libramont, recently held in Luxembourg, Wallonia, alongside lush green fields and muscular 3B cattle, a new wave of technology is quietly changing the face of agriculture.

The sight of farmers with smartphones in hand, controlling automated agricultural machinery or analyzing data collected from sensors, has become familiar at the Libramont agricultural fair. A diverse range of digital technology solutions are showcased here, from farm management software and mobile applications to sensors, drones, robots, and even AI-based data analysis systems. One notable application is satellite imagery for monitoring crop growth. Thanks to this technology, farmers can accurately determine the optimal harvest time and the amount of fertilizer needed for each crop, thereby optimizing production and minimizing waste.

For example, the “Sunshine” project aims to help farmers know when is the best time to mow their grass by providing information on grass height in different areas. The project uses satellite imagery and grass growth models, even when bad weather obscures the image. With this tool, farmers can know which areas need mowing first, when to change cattle pastures, and much more useful information. Algorithms analyze satellite imagery to determine the amount of grass available and combine this with weather predictions to provide the precise time to mow.

Many agrotech (Agtech) startups are proposing solutions to simplify administrative tasks and support management. For example, Fieldkaired has introduced software that helps dairy producers “take back control of their farm finances.” This software allows farmers to scan sales invoices and input data on depreciation, credit repayments, taxes, and other expenses. The tool provides farmers with a clear view of their financial situation, milk production costs, and profitability in real time. Franck Dujarrier, CEO of Fieldkaired, explains: “Farmers can know immediately, day by day, whether they are selling at a loss without having to wait 12 to 18 months for accounting results. The software also helps farmers demonstrate to the dairy processing plant that their selling price is below cost.”

Big data and AI are revolutionizing agriculture. Sensors installed on machinery, livestock, and crops collect vast amounts of data on weather, soil, crops, livestock, and more. This data is analyzed using artificial intelligence algorithms to make accurate production decisions, helping farmers optimize efficiency and increase productivity. This demonstrates that digital technology is becoming an indispensable part of modern agriculture. The application of digital technology not only helps farmers increase productivity and reduce costs but also contributes to environmental protection and food security.

LAM DIEN

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/cong-nghe-cho-nha-nong-post752733.html