Remote sensors in agriculture play a crucial role in boosting crop yields by enabling efficient and optimised farm management. This technology is an important part of the broader field of precision agriculture, which uses real-time data and a range of devices like GPS, autonomous vehicles and drones to optimally use resources needed for farming (such as water, fertiliser and pesticides).
This blog explores the various applications of remote sensing in modern agriculture and how this technology increases yields while reducing environmental impacts.
Pressures on agriculture
Globally, the agricultural sector finds itself at a crossroads as it faces a range of escalating short and long-term pressures:
- There is a growing demand for nutritious food from a booming global population. The UN forecasts that the planet will host 9.7 billion people by 2050, exerting huge stress on farmers to exponentially ramp up output.
- Climate change is already starting to affect farmers throughout the world – from changing agricultural productivity to impacting soil and water resources.
- There are also other environmental concerns, such as farming’s impact on biodiversity and soil erosion. It is estimated that 2.9 million tonnes of topsoil are lost each year in England and Wales by extreme weather events, intensive farming methods, and deforestation.
- The agricultural labour force is progressively ageing and dwindling, creating shortages that could limit productivity.
- The need to increase food security and self-sufficiency has intensified, partly stoked by geopolitical tensions that have disrupted global supply chains. At the same time, the need to extract maximum yields from finite arable lands has become an existential priority.
Clearly, things need to change – and they are. In recent years, there have been rapid developments in data-driven precision and autonomous farming practices, which aim to increase efficiency and production in a changing climate but without compromising the protection of the environment. There has also been a boom in regenerative farming practices that rebuild depleted soils, for example.
The path ahead may be daunting but there’s certainly cause for optimism for the future.
Remote sensors: applications
Sensors are one of the most important components in equipment used for precision farming with the overarching aim of increasing crop productivity. They are used for a range of monitoring and detecting tasks, and the data they generate feeds into a variety of services for farmers.
In this section, we look at some of the main applications of agricultural sensors and how they contribute to modern farming.
1. Soil monitoring
One of the fundamental ways that remote sensors boost crop yield is through detailed soil monitoring. Sensors placed in the field collect data on soil moisture and temperature, which are critical factors for plant growth. This information helps farmers make informed decisions about when to irrigate, reducing water waste and increasing irrigation efficiency.
Also, sensors can detect soil nutrient levels, enabling farmers to apply the right amount of fertilisers at optimal times, which enhances nutrient uptake by plants and minimises runoff into nearby watercourses.
2. Crop health monitoring
Remote sensing technology also allows for continuous and detailed monitoring of crop health. Sensors equipped with near-infrared technology can assess plant health by measuring the amount of chlorophyll present, which is an indicator of photosynthetic activity.
This data helps farmers identify areas of a crop that are stressed due to pests, diseases or insufficient nutrients. Early detection enables timely intervention, reducing potential losses and ensuring that crops remain healthy and productive throughout the growing season.
3. Weather prediction
Remote sensors can gather localised weather data from the farm itself, which is more accurate than relying on broader regional weather reports. Sensors monitor conditions such as temperature, humidity, wind speed and rainfall. Access to this real-time weather data allows farmers to make immediate decisions about crop management practices, like scheduling pesticide or fungicide applications when they are most effective and will not be washed away by rain.
4. Water management
Especially in dry regions, efficient water use is critical for sustainable agriculture. Remote moisture sensors help to manage irrigation systems more effectively by providing precise data on the water needs of crops at different growth stages. This not only conserves water but also prevents problems like waterlogging or insufficient watering, which can lead to plant stress and reduced yields.
5. Yield estimation
Advanced sensors and imaging technology can analyse plant characteristics and predict the yield at various stages of the crop cycle. This information is crucial for planning the logistics of harvesting and subsequent supply chain activities, while also ensuring that crops are harvested at their peak and that there is adequate storage and transportation at hand. Accurate yield estimates help farmers manage their resources more efficiently and plan for market demand.
6. Integrating remote sensing data
The real power of remote sensors is realised when their data is integrated with other technologies, like drones and satellite imagery. This combination provides a comprehensive view of the farm, highlighting variations within fields that might not be visible at ground level.
For instance, drones can take high-resolution images, which – when analysed alongside data from ground sensors – can lead to highly accurate maps for variable rate applications of inputs like water, pesticides and fertilisers. From these data points devices can help identify soil condition, crop stress and even track the growing effects of climate change and land erosion.
7. Benefits beyond yield
While the primary goal of using remote sensors in agriculture is to increase crop yields, the benefits extend to increasing the sustainability of farming. By optimising resource application, farms can reduce their environmental impact, optimise soil health, lower their carbon footprint and enhance biodiversity.
Additionally, more efficient farming techniques can reduce costs, increase profits, and ultimately lead to more stable food prices and supply.
Outsourcing: working to your strengths
For providers of agricultural machinery and equipment, outsourcing the production of components like sensors to specialised contract manufacturers is often crucial. Developing the expertise and infrastructure for manufacturing cutting-edge sensors in-house requires significant investment that may not be feasible for many companies. But by collaborating with manufacturers, providers of agricultural equipment can remain focused on what they do best to ultimately bring new ideas and solutions to the market.
Also, sensor technology is a rapidly evolving field, requiring continuous research and development to stay ahead of the curve. For this reason, specialised sensor tech companies typically have dedicated R&D teams working on advancing the capabilities, energy efficiency and miniaturisation of their sensors.
By outsourcing sensor production to these manufacturers, agricultural equipment providers gain access to the latest innovations without shouldering the R&D burden themselves. This collaboration allows both parties to work to their respective strengths, translating to ever-improving and cost-effective solutions for farmers.
Pushing the boundaries
Remote sensors are invaluable tools for increasing agricultural productivity and sustainability in the face of immense challenges. By providing detailed, real-time data on a multitude of factors impacting crop growth, these sensors allow farmers to make informed decisions and timely interventions to optimise yields. This precision agriculture approach also reduces waste, environmental impacts and production costs.
As sensor technology continues to develop and be integrated with other farm technologies, we can expect to see even greater yields and more sustainable farming practices. However, innovation in this sector requires collaboration across the supply chain. Machinery and equipment manufacturers must partner with specialised sensor companies to push the boundaries of sensing capabilities.
This relationship, where companies focus on their core strengths, will be key to developing comprehensive farm management solutions that can meet the world’s growing food demands in a sustainable way. The agricultural revolution driven by remote sensors is well underway, promising a more productive and sustainable future.
