5G is Finding Its' Way Into The Fields With John Deere
Despite the fact that farming is critical to human survival, agriculture remains heavily reliant on manual labor two decades into the twenty-first century. And human effort can only go so far. This is where 5G in agriculture enters the show. This new way of farming is altering human involvement by allowing for the automation of labor-intensive and repetitive processes. This could mean that we could be at the precipice of ushering in a new age in contemporary farming.
Despite the fact that farming is critical to human survival, agriculture remains heavily reliant on manual labor two decades into the twenty-first century. And human effort can only go so far. This is where 5G in agriculture enters the show. This new way of farming is altering human involvement by allowing for the automation of labor-intensive and repetitive processes. This could mean that we could be at the precipice of ushering in a new age in contemporary farming.
Smart farming may play a vital part in food crop production, and sustainability has never been more important than it is now. Smart farming, which uses a combination of 5G, edge computing, and artificial intelligence (AI) to provide higher-speed, lower-latency connectivity, could be a game-changer as we approach a resource and production crossroads.
In 2019, the cost of farming in the United States was anticipated to be $350 billion, up 1.1 percent from 2018 and expected to rise. While natural resources are depleting, demand is increasing. India is an example of this as well. Our population shows no sign of decreasing and increased human population can only mean one thing- more mouths for the nation's farmers to feed. This is one of the main reasons why food security is a part of the UN's SDGs as well. Greenhouse gas emissions increase global temperature, there increase pest and weed infestation, and alter precipitation patterns, making crops particularly vulnerable. And as helpless farmers throw in more weedicides and pesticides; this is only enabling the creation of pests that can adapt against the pesticide.
Furthermore, due to the effects of climate change on land and weather, the global population is predicted to reach nearly 9 billion people by mid-century. And while we're flailing our arms talking about food security, you would be surprised to find out that just 14% of food produced is reaching consumers. Reducing food waste remains a hazy afterthought, and there are roadblocks at every step of the supply chain, from the farmer to the consumer. Food preservation and packaging, transportation, grocery store shelf life, consumer demand, and even consumer meal planning are all factors to consider.
And while we're facing all of these issues, the developed nations may be just about to bring forth a new revolution in agriculture.
Agriculture as we know it is about to be transformed by 5G. Companies are working on smart agricultural systems that can take advantage of 5G, AI, and edge computing. A good example of this is John Deere's self-propelled tractor. This tractor uses personalized, data-driven approaches to farm management instead of antiquated, one-size-fits-all thinking for crop production, water, pesticide use, and waste management, 5G combined with other technologies will make farming more precise. And when you make farming more plant-specific, you inevitably boost yields. It's much like how a tailored coat fits you better; tailored farming suits the crops better as well.
John Deere's completely self-propelled tractor is equipped with six pairs of stereo cameras that use AI to enable 360-degree obstacle recognition, geo-awareness, and distance computation. The farmer only needs to set up the tractor in a field for autonomous operations, after which he or she can control it using a smartphone app while concentrating on other duties. The software allows the farmer to change speed and depth while viewing live videos, photos, statistics, and metrics. In the event of any irregularities, the farmer will be notified so that modifications can be made to maximize the machine's performance.
With the development of 5G-powered autonomous tractors, farming will become more precise reducing the chances for human mistakes as well. Currently, the self-driving tractors can spray, mow, and disc in a variety of vast and narrow places. Farmers are also protected by autonomous tractors from dangerous chemicals, possible accidents, and other hazards. And we can only hope that this technology paves its' way all over the globe as well so that India's farmers aren't at constant risk of facing economic and health losses.
