Necessity is the mother of all inventions, and precision agriculture is no exception. Precision traces back to prehistoric times when early humans selectively planted specific crops near their Neolithic dwellings.
But it wasn’t until the mid-1900s that precision moved beyond a concept to become an integral part of farming. Since then, advances in machinery—seed drills, fertiliser spreaders, coulters, and harvesters have steadily improved task accuracy.
Even with all this progress, this is just the beginning of something greater. Here’s a look back at how precision agriculture (PA) came into being.
Early Beginnings: The Foundation of Precision Agriculture
The origin of modern precision agriculture can be traced back to the 1950s and 1960s with the launch of the first GPS satellites. However, it wasn’t until the 1980s that the concept began to take shape as farmers started to recognise the importance of managing variability within their fields.
Dr. Pierre Robert is often hailed as the “father of modern precision agriculture.” In the early 1980s, Dr. Robert’s studies on soil variability and variable-rate fertiliser application revealed that no two areas within a field are the same. His work showed that by directing resources on poor crops instead of using a blanket approach, farmers could spend more money and time on the crops that need the needed attention.
However, even with these breakthroughs, some elements of precision agriculture was beyond the technology available at the time.
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The 1990s: Technological Advancements
The 1990s marked a turning point in precision agriculture. In 1992, the introduction of yield monitors gave farmers the ability to track crop yields across their fields. It also afforded them invaluable data that could be used to optimise inputs like fertilisers and pesticides. This era also saw the rise of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), which enabled farmers to analyse spatial data and make decisions grounded in precise measurements.
As GPS technology became more accessible, auto-guidance systems emerged. At the end of the 1990s, these systems allowed farmers to operate equipment with sub-inch accuracy, which boosted efficiency and reduced waste.
The Millennium: Integration and Expansion
The early 21st century marked a period of explosive growth for precision agriculture, as technology became more integrated into farming. In the early 2000s, the adoption of PA increased sharply.
Farmers adopted fertiliser spreaders that deliver nutrients only where needed. This innovation boosted crop yields, reduced runoff and minimise environmental impact.
Fast forward to 2007, a perceptibly greater degree of precision has been incorporated into almost all farming procedures. Soil fertility, manure management, and other key areas began to receive unprecedented levels of precision. The rise of computer models, simulations, and decision support systems enabled farmers to direct exact quantities of seeds, fertilisers, water, and pesticides through variable-rate technology. Even now, tools such as computers, handheld sensors, and satellite-guided systems have remarkably enhanced precision during farming.
Recent Developments: Data-Driven Agriculture
Today, precision agriculture is characterised by its reliance on big data and advanced analytics. Farmers utilise sensors, drones, and autonomous vehicles to gather real-time data about their crops and soil conditions. And of course, the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technology has further enhanced precision agriculture’s capabilities. Farmers can now monitor their fields remotely, adjust irrigation schedules and apply fertilisers based on real-time conditions rather than fixed schedules.
Moreover, the growing use of machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) is taking precision agriculture to the next level. These technologies help farmers predict crop performance, identify issues before they arise, and automate decision-making processes. Which in turn, makes farming more efficient and sustainable than ever before.
Future Trends in Precision Agriculture
It is expected that by 2050, the global population will reach about 9.8 billion, and food production must effectively double from current levels to feed every mouth. With new technological advancements in the agricultural sector, each farmer will be able to feed 265 people on the same acreage.
Speaking of technological advancements, precision agriculture is undoubtedly one of the top 10 innovations in modern agriculture. Since its inception in the early 1980s, it has been adopted across millions of hectares of cropland worldwide.
Also, as part of the third wave of modern agricultural revolutions, PA is shaping a great future for the sector, and I am optimistic that the next couple of years will be exciting for the agritech sector.
Wrap Up
The history of precision agriculture has shown human ingenuity in developing technology that meets the demands of the growing population. From its humble beginnings, PA has evolved beyond just the adoption of new technologies. It is, in fact, a shift in how we collect and use data to make farming more efficient and targeted.
Plus, the ability to electronically, on-the-go, record spatial data about soil and crop conditions would further ensure that we can feed our increasing population and future generations. The best part is that this is just the beginning.
