Agriculture is fundamental for the human race and the evolution of civilizations. Still, on an overpopulated planet with climate change and digitalization, several challenges defy the future of agriculture. The main agricultural challenges for 2024 are innovation and technological advancement in the primary sector, as various factors condition it. Among these factors are demographics, scarcity of natural resources, climate change, and food waste. For this reason, the Agricultural technology of the future, also known as Agriculture 4.0, addresses this challenge. The United States, as a global agricultural powerhouse with its innovative capacity, is leading this challenge.
What is Agriculture 4.0?
Agriculture 4.0 refers to digital technologies that enhance agricultural processes from start to finish, making them faster, more economical, and sustainable. This involves using equipment, software, and systems that combine trends and real-time data, enabling more precise decision-making in agricultural business. Additionally, it entails large-scale automation of functions through the Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence. Agriculture 4.0 focuses on more productive, autonomous, and efficient agricultural processes, from soil treatment to high-quality crop harvesting (BASF). Agriculture 4.0 is a digital technology that improves agricultural processes, making them faster, more economical, and sustainable. It uses equipment, software, and systems; it involves large-scale automation through Artificial Intelligence and the IoT.
Why is it called Agriculture 4.0?
Agriculture 4.0, used synonymously with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, is the current period in which a conjunction of data and technology is used to automate more autonomous production processes. The agricultural sector has gone through other stages of evolution before reaching Agriculture 4.0. Among these stages, we can mention that Agriculture 1.0, or subsistence agriculture, is a typical stage in third-world countries, where farmers cultivate to survive. This stage has low productivity and energy use due to difficult access to technology. Agriculture 2.0 was developed in 1950, representing the advancement of science in the field and the introduction of machinery to boost production. Agriculture 3.0, between 1990 and 2010, was characterized by automation and data collection to increase the efficiency of agricultural processes. Finally, Agriculture 4.0, where nature is a requirement in cultivation methods. This phase occurred after 2010 and includes creating new digital tools to improve agricultural outcomes and sustainability.
What is the goal of Agriculture 4.0?
The goal of Agriculture 4.0 is to develop precision agriculture using GPS systems and the study of necessary nutrients to reduce costs and avoid soil over-exploitation. Agriculture 4.0 employs sprayers, digital sensors, GPS, precision seeders, bio-fertilizers, drones, robots, multispectral crop imaging, and autonomous tractors. The agri-food sector’s digitalization is crucial for supplying food for a projected population of 9.7 billion people by 2050. This trend improves production techniques, increases sustainable productivity, and reduces costs. It also enables adaptation to climate change, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and allows for more efficient use of water and chemicals, contributing to environmental conservation.
Advances in Agricultural Technology in U.S. Agriculture
The U.S. agricultural industry has undergone significant transformations from the days of manual farming, driven by technological advances. These innovations have increased productivity and efficiency and paved the way for more sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices. U.S. agriculture has adopted precision farming techniques, using GPS, drones, and sensors to optimize agricultural practices. This allows for precise planting, irrigation, and fertilization management, reducing waste, improving crop yields, increasing productivity, and reducing environmental impact. Genetic modification (GMOs) has revolutionized U.S. agriculture with organic field crops with desirable traits such as resistance to pests, diseases, and adverse environmental conditions. These crops require less pesticide and water, making them more sustainable and increasing overall crop yields, crucial for global food production.
Robotic technology has revolutionized agriculture by reducing time and manual labor. Automated tractors and harvesters are increasingly used on U.S. farms, improving efficiency and reducing labor demand. Drones equipped with cameras and sensors can monitor crop health and provide valuable information, leading to more informed decision-making in areas that require attention. Farmers now have access to powerful farm management software to collect and analyze data on their operations, from soil quality to weather conditions. This information can optimize yields and reduce costs while improving inventory control, allowing for more effective resource management. U.S. agriculture is at the forefront, leveraging sustainable practices such as no-till farming, cover crops, and crop rotation. These techniques maintain soil health, reduce erosion, and minimize the need for synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, which economically benefit farmers.
Biotechnology plays a crucial role in crop protection and pest management. Advances in biological pesticides and biological control agents have improved the environment and safety for farmers and consumers. These innovations have reduced reliance on chemical pesticides, promoting healthier ecosystems and reducing the need for chemical pesticides. As climate change continues to impact the agricultural sector, there is an increasing focus on developing climate-resilient crops and practices, including heat-tolerant and drought-resistant varieties and adjusting planting schedules and locations. The U.S. agricultural sector adapts to these challenges by combining traditional agricultural knowledge with advanced technology (Concavos Estes).
Smart Agriculture
Smart agriculture incorporates technological innovations to automate and monitor agricultural tasks, providing precise information for real-time decision-making. The digital farmer can anticipate diseases, calculate water quantities, and plan stages with greater cost control and supply chain traceability (Telefonica). One of the first precision agriculture techniques, at least as it is known today, emerged in the late 1980s in the United States due to the continuous industrialization of the field over the past two centuries. Agriculture is the backbone of the U.S. economy, and each state contributes to the national food production mosaic in a unique way. The United States is at the forefront of using digital technology for corn and soybean crops.
An example is Illinois’ Sustainable Agriculture, which balances economic viability with environmental management, focusing on conserving natural resources, using clean energy, and ensuring the longevity and health of agricultural systems. This includes conserving soil through minimal or reduced erosion, managing soil strategically, protecting water quality through stream management, and fostering innovation in sustainable practices. Illinois agriculture is advancing technology and tradition to optimize agricultural practices, improving the efficiency of disease and pest management. Drones are an integral tool for farmers, allowing decisions without physical field inspections. In Texas, where farmers adopt modern technologies like precision agriculture to improve crop production and prioritize sustainability, they use GPS technology and sensors to collect real-time data on soil, crop health, and weather, allowing for greater resource efficiency and reduced environmental impact.
Additionally, farmers are turning to aquaponics and hydroponics as sustainable solutions for water scarcity and soil degradation. California is a hub of agricultural innovation, driving greater productivity and sustainability. Precision agriculture, genetics, and efficient irrigation systems are part of California’s commitment to preparing its agricultural industry for the future. Technological advances help improve productivity, contributing to higher yields with fewer resources. Innovations include the development of drought-resistant crop varieties and the automation of agricultural processes. Sustainable agriculture in Idaho focuses on conservation, cover crops, integrated pest management (IPM), and regenerative practices. Farmers use GPS-guided tractors, automated irrigation systems, and drones for field monitoring. The seed industry has evolved and uses biotechnology to improve seed quality and disease resistance. Precision agriculture tools allow farmers to use resources more efficiently, essential for food security and environmental sustainability. Nature conservation in Idaho emphasizes regenerative practices that strengthen soil health and sustain ecosystems. Farmers in Kansas are increasingly adopting sustainable agricultural practices such as integrated crop management and water conservation techniques. Integrated Pest Management combines various agricultural strategies to produce healthy crops and minimize pesticide use. Water conservation employs techniques like drip irrigation and low-pressure pivot systems. Technology plays a crucial role in modern agriculture in Kansas, with precision agriculture using GPS and data analysis for precise planting, fertilizing, and harvesting. Advances in farm management software automate operations and improve efficiency, especially during peak growing and cold periods (Texas Real Food).
Conclusion
As the global population grows, the agricultural industry faces increasing pressure to produce more food and minimize environmental impact, leading to the recurrence of robotics and automation in modern agriculture. The global population is growing, with a 33 percent increase in the coming decades, approximately 9.7 billion by 2050, and is expected to reach 11.2 billion by 2100. Population growth will drive the demand for food globally. For this reason, as a global agricultural powerhouse, the United States has taken on this challenge as a primary objective within each state’s role in the national agricultural landscape. Advances in U.S. agricultural technology have transformed the industry, making it more efficient, sustainable, and resilient to global challenges. Precision agriculture, GMOs, automation, data analysis, sustainable practices, biotechnology, and climate-resilient agriculture have collectively transformed how farmers work and produce food. These innovations benefit farmers by increasing productivity and reducing costs, and they also play a vital role in addressing environmental concerns and ensuring a reliable food supply for the future. As technology evolves, U.S. agriculture will likely remain at the forefront of global agricultural innovation.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Luis Henry Contreras Del Aguila
Food Industries Engineer Universidad Nacional Agraria de la Selva- Tingo Maria- Peru
Master in Agribusiness Administration ESAN University – Lima-Peru
Country Agribusiness CEO
REFERENCES
BASF. “Advantages of Agriculture 4.0 and farm management”. www.agriculture.basf.com, September 1, 2022, https://agriculture.basf.com/co/es/contenidos-de-agricultura/digitalizacion-agricultura-4-0.html#accordion_v2-17a63cf70d-item-1542681643
Estes Performance Concaves. “Agriculture Technology: Advancements in American Agriculture”. www-estesperformanceconcaves-com, https://www-estesperformanceconcaves-com.translate.goog/agriculture-technology-advancements-in-american-agriculture/?_x_tr_sl=en&_x_tr_tl=es&_x_tr_hl=es&_x_tr_pto=rq#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20most%20significant,sensors%20to%20optimize%20farming%20practices.
Telefonica. “Industry 4.0: What´s agriculture 4.0?”. www.telefonica.com, February 26, 2023, https://www.telefonica.com/en/communication-room/blog/industry-4-0-whats-agriculture-4-0/
Texas Real Food. “State by State Farming Guide”. www. cardioid-cobalt-mspb.squarespace.com, https://cardioid-cobalt-mspb.squarespace.com/starting-a-farm/state-by-state-farming-guide