Agriculture And Farm Machinery: New Advancements in Agriculture and Machinery Boosting Productivity
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| Agriculture and Farm Machinery |
Changes and Developments in Agriculture
And Farm Machinery
With time, the needs and scope of agriculture has changed significantly. To
keep up with the rising demands, farming practices have evolved and modernized
over the decades. Farm machinery has played a pivotal role in this
transformation. Let's look at some key changes and developments in farm
machinery over the years.
Mechanization of Agriculture And Farm
Machinery
In the early twentieth century, most farm operations were carried out manually
using simple hand tools. This was a labor intensive process. The introduction
of machinery helped automate many manual tasks involved in agricultural
production. Tractors and power tillers were developed which enabled plowing,
tilling and harvesting of large tracts of land more efficiently. Other machines
like threshers and planters further boosted productivity by eliminating the
need for manual labor. Agriculture
and Farm Machinery mechanization allowed farmers to undertake bigger farm
sizes with fewer farmhands.
Improved Crop Productivity
Advancements in farm tools and attachments have directly contributed to
improved crop yields over the years. Modern plows, cultivators and hoes can now
till the soil more precisely and uniformly. Powerful harvesters and threshers
minimize crop losses during harvesting. Planters and precision seed drills
ensure optimal plant population density and uniform sowing. Fertilizer and
pesticide sprayers help achieve better crop protection. Digital technologies
are also optimizing farming practices. Together, these innovations have
enhanced crop productivity manifold.
Precision Farming
Precision or satellite farming refers to highly accurate farming techniques
using GPS and GIS technologies. Advanced farm equipment is now integrated with
precision sensors, mapping software, variable-rate technology and auto-guidance
systems. This allows application of inputs like water, fertilizers and
pesticides only where needed, thereby optimizing resource usage. Precision
planters and seed drills space seeds at exact intervals. Yield monitors and
sensors help identify crop zones needing different treatments. All this is
improving farm efficiency, minimizing costs and environmental impact.
Newer Tools and Attachments
Manufacturers are constantly developing novel farm tools, addons and
specialized equipment tailored to different crops and terrains. For example -
mulchers to conserve soil moisture, reapers and nutritional sprayers for
orchards, potato-diggers and onion harvesters for vegetable farming.
Laser-guided land levelers help achieve perfectly even fields crucial for
irrigation. Tractors now come equipped with hydraulic connections for seamless
operation of multiple tools simultaneously. Micro-irrigation systems like drip
and sprinklers are revolutionizing water management. Such innovations are
making farming more versatile and productive.
Modern Combine Harvesters
Combine harvesters are versatile machines that perform multiple crop harvesting
functions together - reaping, threshing, winnowing and bagging. Earlier models
were relatively small and could handle only small grains. Today's modern
self-propelled combines are much larger with greater threshing and processing
capacities. They are equipped with advanced features for optimized performance
in all crop and field conditions. For instance, straw and chaff spreads help
avoid burning crop residues. Laser sensors maintain required cutting heights.
Adjustable headers, unblockers and cleaners ensure maximum recoveries. Onboard
weighing systems record field yields digitally. All these refinements have
boosted combine efficiency manifold over the decades.
Energy Efficient Farm Machinery
Traditionally, most farm equipment ran on diesel engines. Recent years have
witnessed rise in eco-friendly machinery. Electric and battery-powered tools
are now available for tasks like tillage, spraying, hand tools etc. Fuel cell
and hybrid tractors are also emerging. These use alternate fuels, capture waste
heat for power generation or run partially on electric batteries. Their energy
consumption is 20-30% lower than conventional tractors. Solar panels and charge
controllers are powering irrigation pumps in many regions. Such green machines
help cut production costs and lower carbon footprint of farms significantly
over long run.
Driverless Tractors
Automation is slowly making inroads into agriculture as well. Driverless
tractors integrated with precise navigation technologies are being tested now.
Cameras, sensors and centralized control systems allow the vehicles to
auto-steer and perform complex agricultural operations without a human driver
on-board. They minimize wastage of inputs by maintaining perfectly straight
rows and headland turns. Driverless tractors hold potential to improve
timeliness of field operations especially during peak seasons when labor is
scarce. However, their commercial adoption may still take some time as the
required technologies mature further.
Artificial Intelligence in Farming
AI and machine learning algorithms are finding innovative applications in
agriculture. Computer vision enabled inspection systems are sorting fruits on
conveyor belts and detecting crop diseases without human intervention.
Agricultural robots and drones fitted with sensors are autonomously mapping
fields, monitoring soil health and spotting pests. AI is also assisting in
strategic decision making by analyzing petabytes of satellite, weather and
market data. Startups are developing powerful AI assistants that offer
personalized advisory to farmers based on their specific farm conditions and
goals. Overall, AI promises to uplift farming to the next level by automating
complex tasks and facilitating data-driven precision agriculture.
farm mechanization has transformed agriculture from manually-intensive to
highly productive and efficient over the past century. Continuous innovations
are ensuring machinery and technologies remain optimized for diverse crops and
regions worldwide. While traditional farm operations become automated, next-gen
tools and intelligent systems are bringing new levels of precision,
sustainability and profitability to farms globally. Mechanization will keep
revolutionizing agriculture through robotics, AI and new energy sources in the
coming decades as well.
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About Author:
Ravina Pandya, Content Writer, has a strong foothold in the market research
industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different
industries, including food and beverages, information and technology,
healthcare, chemical and materials, etc. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravina-pandya-1a3984191)
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