4 Strategies To Support Smart Ag Farmers To Be More Successful

Smart agriculture and Precision farming are the new ways farmers are doing more with less—environmental concerns, decreasing profits, more demand with the growing population, and fewer resources. Farmers can improve crop yields and profits by using IoT technology, reducing pollution, and be more sustainable. 

How do we support farmers to be more successful? But, first, let’s dive into some strategies. Understanding data collection and analysis: IoT data is more available than ever using soil sample sensors, irrigation devices, drones.

Analysis of this data gives farmers the decision-making power to make quick choices on making necessary changes. These technological advances also give the farmer the information they need to make decisions on crop management. Using these devices will afford the farmer more time to make critical decisions to improve crop yields. 

Predictive maintenance tools:  Supporting farmers with solutions that address an issue before it becomes a problem is never essential than before. Software needs to be programmed to monitor the issue. Predictive maintenance with machine learning for manufacturers has been a challenge. However, there have been improvements in recent years. Keeping the farmer in the field and helping them keep the equipment running is more important than ever.

Trained support teams:  Investing in your support teams is vital as investing in your software and products. Keep in mind that technology is changing every day, and having a support team that’s properly trained in the new technology helps farmers bring in their harvest. Also, asking your support teams what they need to be successful, listening to their input about what they’re hearing from your customers. You’ll have the best of both worlds, the pulse of the customer and your support team. 

Connectivity in rural communities: This is a little harder to support farmers. It’s been a slow movement to get rural farmers good broadband. Since many agro-sensors/gateways depend on cloud services for data transmission/storage, cloud-based computing also needs to become stronger. Developing software and products that address these challenges. Companies need to be more involved in legislation that moves these connectivity issues forward. Otherwise, farmers will continue to struggle with the technology.

Understanding these are only some of the challenges facing farmers. Security, ease of technology, mounting wastes contribute to the hardship of smart agriculture. Companies and farmers coming together to solve the will only lead to more predictable and sustainable solutions—challenges as mentioned earlier.