Tech to stop us starving
How IoT is being used to revolutionise the farming sector.
In order to meet the appetite demands of the world’s population, global food production needs to increase by 70%. A mean feat at the best of times, but factoring in the additional pressures of resource constraints and climate change, it’s clear that the already burdened agricultural field has to find ways to manage itself efficiently, and fast!
In his Tech Fair keynote on digital farming, Tobias Menne (Global Head of Digital Farming at Bayer) focused on some of the specific challenges that the sector faces, such as new crop diseases and the rise of superweeds that lead to failed harvests. In order to tackle these, agriculture needs investment, and investment drives up cost. Tobias questioned our ability to keep food prices from unprecedented growth that would directly affect 1 billion people.
What’s the solution? How can we restructure the industry while keeping production high and prices low?
This is where IoT steps in.
75 billion devices will be connected to the internet of things by 2020. So the adoption of the tech now makes sense. Network of sensors can be integrated in every step of the agricultural management chain and can monitor water levels, soil quality, crop health and air quality. Farmers can then run data analysis, accessing the information via the cloud; sensor activity is also controllable depending on the agricultural goals. Some IoT platforms also collate historic weather data, information about the soil, and social media posts to gain insights into the local environment. This data is then analysed by machine learning algorithms to offer insights and help develop strategies to increase harvests.
Receiving these valuable insights allows farmers to completely control the agricultural process at each stage, transforming farms into smart spaces.
What about taste? Can IoT help us grow delicious food?
Well, the answer is yes! US startup Analog Devices are testing wireless, in-field sensors to see if they can grow better-tasting tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables whose flavour is often ruined by inappropriate storage, transportation or cultivation. The Internet of Tomatoes project utilizes sensors to track air temperature, humidity and light, and all data is sent via a gateway that is connected to farmers’ smartphones. Plus they are transforming a handheld near-infrared spectroscopy tool into a highly specialised tomato analyst that studies the chemistry of the vegetable. A sensor is placed at the side of the tomato that can reveal the levels of salt and sugar, and the acidity level, all without damaging the skin. Production can then be altered accordingly to ensure crops are the tastiest they can be!
Additionally, Industrial IoT (IIoT) and robotics will be able to address the shortage workers within the agricultural sector, caused by mass migration to urban spaces.
AI, IoT and big data are already being harnessed by startups working with both large and small agricultural organizations. GrowX have made AI-powered aeroponic pods for the commercial production of high-light intensity fruiting and flowering crops including hops and tomatoes. LEAF is a plug-n-plant system that automatically grows medical plants and food, the internal atmosphere is completely controlled by your smartphone. By utilizing their IoT tech, Growee can save urban farmers time and money, by reducing production costs by up to 65%. PEAT’s approach is to connect big data and AI to prevent crop shortfalls and wasteful application of pesticides.
But what about less economically developed regions? The initial investment to install the required infrastructure and IoT devices is still high, even though in the long run the cost is mitigated. Many farmers in remote areas are simply used to traditional agricultural methods and feel hesitant to use new devices.
Less complex and expensive technology can be used to help with this transition. For instance, our Indian Ecosystem startups Kamal Kisan are designing, developing and manufacturing agricultural equipment that saves both money and time for farmers, thus raising sustainability via mechanisation. Brazilian startup Sumá Agri Tech is an online mobile platform that connects family farmers with fair traders. AGRICATIVO is an agricultural marketplace where small-scale farmers and buyers meet via a smart and friendly digital platform. Solarvibes have created a modular technology that can be retrofitted to any farm, and provides intelligent farming solutions for marginal and small scale farmers to increase farm productivity, cut down farm operational cost and protect crops from failure.
The fourth agricultural revolution is on its way. AgTech investment more than doubled in 2014–15, and is increasing exponentially. Countries like Israel, China, India are embracing the trend, and are creating more and more innovative agricultural solutions. Going forward, there’ll be a shift in focus and investment from just the food e-commerce sector to a more diverse spectrum of smart, IoT-driven agricultural projects.
All startups featured in this blog are CG’s Ecosystem startups. To join the Ecosystem, or for the opportunity to partner with us and connect with them, get in touch via our website.
Authored by: Evgeniya Panova, Global Development Manager
Edited by: Emily McDonnell, Global Head of Community
We are a global innovation ecosystem that acts as the strategic liaison between deep-tech startups and corporates who are determined to shape the future of industry 4.0.
