Water Wheel Nov/Dec 2020: Agriculture And Innovation

Abstract

Soil and scheduling – Study tests farmer appetite for technology When one considers the newest technological developments at agricultural shows it is clear that developers are aiming to enable farmers to do everything on the farm from their smartphones. Sensors, satellite imagery and automated drones exist that allow farmers to press a button and get their fields sprayed, switch irrigation on and off and identify problems, and provide detailed pictures of their fields. The rate of technological development in agriculture is astounding. Of course, monetary cost plays a significant role in the adoption of these technologies. But is cost the main factor standing in farmers’ way to become fully automated? Do they really want to sit in their offices and farm from behind a smartphone? There aren’t nearly as many studies looking at the uptake of technology as there are new tools on the market. Yet, a misunderstanding of local market needs and wishes may be a key barrier to the realisation of agricultural water savings in our catchments.

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