Cutting-Edge Crop Production: The Need For AI In Agriculture

 




 

The problem of food scarcity has already reared its ugly head in the present and it doesn’t take an expert to realize that it will be a massive socio-environmental issue for global powers to tackle in the future. World population has been estimated to reach 10 billion by the year 2050. Industrialized economies may ensure that two-thirds of this number will be concentrated in urban areas. Therefore, the rural one-third may be part of the farming industry: a despairing figure that reflects a skewed ratio of feeders to those who are fed. The reduction in farmer population though is not unexpected.

Farming and agriculture have emerged as thankless trades, wherein the return on investment is not that high and livelihoods are often dependent on many uncontrollable factors. This can be seen in India itself, where the agricultural sector accounts for 18% of the country’s GDP and employs approximately 50% of its population. The farming sector has to navigate many obstacles, including scarcity of farmland and wastage of water resources. Currently, 37.7% of the world’s land surface is used for farming but it keeps depleting due to soil erosion, barren land stretches and infertility. India’s farmers are also ignorant or do not possess the knowledge and skills necessary to allot resources judiciously for maximum output. This is why 70-80% of the fresh groundwater allotted to agriculture is laid to waste.

The efficiency of the agricultural sector is evidently in shambles and its structural transformation is critical. The above statistics lay bare the countless human lives that face the brunt of this inefficiency, from producers to consumers. In an era where technology has helped further progress in almost every field imaginable, agriculture should be no exception. Artificial Intelligence-based precision farming implements can help in this cause. Through their use, farmers can answer crucial questions about land behavior and maximize yield while maintaining sustainability.

AI technology is the solution to the demands for increased food production in the 21st century. Agriculture is a neglected industry and it is high time that changes. A technologically informed approach can give farmers some much needed growth and stability while also being a significant step towards global food security. AI is the need of the hour and will herald the farming sector’s entry into an advanced and innovative future.

Rukmini Sanyal - Student - St. Xavier's College, Mumbai

                 Courtesy :

                     

                         

                                                                            

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