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08/09/2023A Brief History of Agricultural Technology
The agricultural sector has expanded considerably over the past few centuries from the earliest days of its development roughly 9000 years ago. As methods and approaches have progressed to keep up with the demands of the times, the industry has evolved and adapted to meet the needs of a growing global population. From British Agriculturist Jethro Tull’s Seed Drill, invented in 1701, which was a mechanised device invented to semi-automate the process of seed sewing, technological innovations have become an integral part of improving the efficiency of agricultural operations.
Agricultural mechanisation has continually developed over the past few centuries, with equipment such as the steel plough, the gasoline powered tractor, and the combine harvester being adopted at mass scale across farming operations around the world. These devices have significantly contributed towards improvements in the efficiency of agricultural operations, and therein supporting farmers in achieving higher levels of productivity.
While mechanisation has indeed improved farming operations in numerous ways, it does still come with certain drawbacks. Its dependency on fossil fuels, for example, being one of them. As such, recent breakthroughs in the field of robotics and artificial intelligence have attracted the attention of industry players, who are looking for innovative ways of meeting the soaring demand for agricultural goods with the use of effective and sustainable technological solutions.
How has mechanisation supported the agricultural industry in meeting its production targets and to what extent can it play a role in transitioning the industry towards the adoption of robotics technology solutions? We explore these and other questions in this article.
Enter: The Age of Mechanisation
There have been a number of mechanised technologies which have been introduced into farming operation to improve the various processes therein. The plough, for instance, which has evolved from being horse drawn to being pulled by a tractor is used to break the soil and cut a furrow for sowing seeds.
The harrow is another tool that works with the plough to prepare crop cultivation. It pulverises the soil, breaks up crop residue, uproots weeds and covers seeds. The introduction of farm tractors allowed both the plough and the harrow to be pulled at the same time, saving famers precious time and energy in carrying out both of these operations.
Another important modern farming machine is the combine harvester. This complex piece of machinery combines four essential farming operations - reaping, threshing, gathering and winnowing - into a single process. Widely adopted into farming operations around the world in the 1980’s, the combine harvester is used to harvest grain crops such as wheat, rice, oats, barley and rapeseed.
As mentioned above, mechanisation technology has supported the industry in moving towards greater efficiency and productivity over the years. Mechanical tools and equipment have transitioned from being purely manual or hand-used, to animal powered, steam powered, and eventually diesel-powered internal combustion engines.
Advantages of Mechanisation
In addition to improving efficiencies and therefore productivity, mechanisation has also brought various other benefits to the agricultural industry. Some of these include:
Labour Savings
With the use of mechanised tools and technologies, farm and plantations owners are able to reduce their dependency on manual labour resources, therein saving on the cost of hiring and boarding these workers on their operations. Mechanisation tools and equipment significantly increase the productivity of agricultural operations like ploughing and threshing by generally covering more ground than a single worker would be able to achieve.
In addition to the cost-saving element, mechanisation adoption also allows farm operators to reduce their dependency on labour, which is particularly beneficial during instances in which there is a periodic unavailability of labour. This may occur due to the seasonal nature of certain crops which are affected by weather and rainfall patterns, or due to socioeconomic events which hinder the availability of labour resources, such as the recent Ukrainian crisis or preceding Covid pandemic.
Precision and Accuracy
Another benefit that mechanisation technologies provide to agricultural operators is that they are able to deliver a level of precision which would not have been possible using conventional manual methods. This is particularly apparent with respect to more modern mechanised devices. Combine harvesters are an example of modern mechanisation that provides much greater accuracy in the agricultural operations that it is responsible for.
Combine harvesters fitted with cluster seeding machines, agricultural drones, and associated agricultural equipment utilising GPS technology are able to bring a greater level of precision to farming operations compared to conventional methods.
Sustainability
Another way in which agricultural operations can benefit from mechanised technological adoption is that these technologies enable greater sustainability on agricultural operations. This can be achieved due to a number of factors. The use of mechanised equipment and machinery improves the efficiency of agricultural operations in various ways. This allows farming operations take place in a way that is more targeted and precise, reducing unnecessary wastages and leakages. For instance, drone technology provides the potential for targeted pesticide application. This ensures that the right quantity of pesticides are applied when necessary, and that excessive applications which could damage the surrounding natural ecosystems do not occur.
Additionally, mechanisation also improves the productivity of agricultural operations. This higher productivity means that operators can achieve higher levels of output over the same size of land, which further contributes towards sustainability efforts, as agricultural linked land-use-change can be minimised.
Economic and Socioeconomic Benefits
Mechanisation affords various economic benefits to both the agricultural industry and countries. As productivity levels are able to be improved, counties are able to produce sufficient agricultural goods to meet national food security needs. The improved levels of production can also go towards improving national exports of food commodities, contributing towards the economy in this way as well.
The greater adoption of mechanisation also allows the industry to reduce its heavy dependence on labour resources. By transitioning towards the adoption of mechanisation technologies, the industry can move away from a reliance on low-skilled foreign labour towards one which utilises high-skilled local labour, improving the attractiveness of agricultural jobs within the domestic job market.
Disadvantages of Mechanisation
While mechanisation indeed affords various benefits, there are also certain limitations associated with its usage. Some of these are:
High Initial Investment
Many of these mechanised technologies often bring with them a high initial price-tag, particularly when employing technologies which utilise emerging technological innovations. Over time however, these price margins tend to come down as the technologies become more widely adopted and R&D efforts can be carried out to utilise more cost-effective components.
Reliance on Fossil Fuels
Many mechanised technologies, such as tractors and combine harvesters, are powered by diesel-based combustion engines which produce high levels of carbon emissions. This can therefore be counterintuitive towards sustainability efforts.
Learning and Adjustment Period
Mechanisation technologies also require a certain period of learning and adjustment, which can take time and cause an initial dip in productivity during the transition phase.
The Role of Robotics Technologies
Over the past decade or so, there has been interest growing within the area of agricultural robotics, in which innovators and entrepreneurs have been increasingly seeking out robotics technologies to resolve challenges within the agricultural industry. Robotics technologies afford their own benefits to the industry in addition to those provided by mechanisation, circulating largely around greater precision and automation functions.
What exactly is robotics technology and how can it bring effective improvements to the agricultural sector in the age of 4IR technology solutions and connectivity? Let’s consider.
What is Robotics?
Robotics refers to the design, construction, operation, and use of robotics technologies. These are generally any form automated or semi-automated mechanised devices which can support human efforts to achieve certain goals. Robotics technologies have been employed across various industries, particularly within the manufacturing industry in the assembly of electrical products as well as within the automobile industry for manufacturing and assembly.
What is Agricultural Robotics?
Agricultural Robotics refers to the application of robotics technologies into the agricultural sector. Robotics solutions can support agricultural operations in a number of ways, which includes improving process efficiencies, increasing precision and boosting productivity.
What are some examples of Agricultural Robotics Applications?
Agricultural Robotics solutions can be applied to support a number of agricultural operations:
- Weeding and Mowing – Agricultural Robotics can be developed to support weeding and mowing activities. Robots can be deployed in the field to travel the length of crop fields and carry out highly precise weeding and mowing using various methods. This is done using a combination of AI and computer vision, in which the robotics identify the weeds and destroy them using targeted laser systems, which ensure that crops are not damaged in the process.
- Harvesting – Agricultural Robots can also support harvesting activities. For instance, fruit picking robots are able to identify fruits which are ripe enough for harvesting and then pick them using mechanised robotic arms.
- Indoor Farming Applications – Robotics technologies have also found applications within the growing space of indoor, controlled-environment agriculture, more popularly known as vertical farming. Here, robotics systems enable the sorting, transportation and harvesting of vegetables within completely automated indoors agricultural systems.
- Drone Technology Applications – Drone technology is a rapidly developing technology sector with various applications for the agricultural industry. Drones are able to provide detailed aerial imagery of crops to improve oversight and inform daily agricultural practices. Their applications also extend towards seeding and pesticide application, among others, which can be done in highly efficient and precise ways.
What is the size of the agricultural robotics market?
The Agricultural Robotics market is estimated at USD 13.24 billion in 2023, and is expected to reach USD 24.50 billion by 2028. It is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13.10% during the forecast period. (Mordor Intelligence)
Who are some of the biggest players in the Agricultural Robotics sector?
- Blue River Technologies – Blue River Technologies utilises computer vision and robotics technologies to build intelligent solutions for the agricultural sector. A subsidiary of US agricultural giant John Deere, the company is known for its “See & Spray” technology, which uses computer vision and machine learning to apply herbicides in a highly precise manner.
- Agrobot – A Spanish based company, Agrobot has developed and patented a highly versatile technology for strawberry picking. Using robotics manipulators, the technology developed by the company allows strawberries to be picked gently and precisely, without damaging the fruits.
- Ecorobotics – Formed with the intention of developing low-energy consumption farming machines which are environmentally friendly, Ecorobotics provides robotics automations solutions for crop weeding as well herbicide and pesticide applications. The company’s technologies enable highly precise plant-by-plant spraying which are estimated to improve agribusiness profitability by up to 30%.
- Precision Hawk – A leader in the drone technologies marketplace, Precision Hawk has developed targeted agricultural drone solutions which enable crop monitoring analytics solutions.
- Harvest Automation – A developer of robotics solutions specifically geared towards the handling and transportation of agriculture plants within horticultural operations. The automated robots work alongside human workers to conduct activities such as plant spacing, plant organisation and plant gathering for protection during seasonal periods.
Advantages of Agricultural Robotics
Robotics technologies can offer a wide range of benefits to agricultural operations. Some of these are as follows:
Labour Savings
The application of robotics technologies frees up agricultural operations from its high dependency on labour resources. This is highly useful in when considered with respect to labour shortage issues as well as seasonal downturns in labour to climate affected crops.
Efficiency of Agricultural Operations
Robotics solutions also significantly improves the efficiency of agricultural operations, which can reduce costs in the long run and increase overall productivity, boosting profit margins.
High Degree of Precision
Robotics solutions also deliver a high level of precision, which cannot be achieved using conventional manual labour approaches. This high level of precision enables cost savings by ensuring that resources are utilised in the most efficient possible way, reducing costs and improving the quality of agricultural products.
Low Error Margin
Robotics technology solutions also ensure that errors normally associated with human labour are completed removed. Robotics systems powered by AI technology enable a highly precise and consistent repetition of tasks on daily basis, which ensures that product quality is kept at a consistently high level. It also ensures that production targets can be met reliably.
Sustainability
Robotics technologies also enable agricultural operations to remain as sustainable as possible. This can be achieved as operations achieve a high level of productivity, therefore requiring less land use. Additionally, precise applications of resources ensures that resource utilisation is carried out efficiently with minimal wastage.
Disadvantages of Agricultural Robotics
Agricultural Robotics technologies also come with their share of limitations. Some of these include:
High Cost
Agricultural robotics technology is still in a nascent and emerging stage, which makes the price margins steep. The initial cost of adopting these technologies is still too high for many agricultural businesses to adopt at scale. These costs are likely to come down over time, with R&D efforts and market adoption.
High Energy Needs
Robotics solutions also significantly improves the efficiency of agricultural operations, which can reduce costs in the long run and increase overall productivity, boosting profit margins.
High Degree of Precision
Robotics technology can have a high energy demand, which in addition to being a cost issue, also has ramifications with regards to the environment. Many robotics solutions are also battery powered, and present-day batteries may not have the necessary capacity to power these technologies for the durations required.
Maintenance Requirements and Cost
Robotics technology is fairly complex in terms of design and engineering. This means that the maintenance of robotics machinery requires the support of highly experienced technicians, which can be a burden to farm operations from a both a time and cost perspective.
Conclusion
The technologies that have been discussed in this article offer a glimpse into the potential that mechanisation and robotics technologies could provide to the agricultural sector. The automation of harvesting, weeding, crop monitoring and various other applications, could bring myriad benefits to the industry, not least of which would be reducing the dependency on labour resources.
As mentioned, Agricultural Robotics technology is still a developing field, and therefore may not yet be financially feasible for adoption by many agricultural operators, particularly here in the Asian region. As such, mechanisation technologies which are more affordable can help to transition the industry from its current state towards the adoption of more sophisticated robotics technology.
Technological innovation has been a part of the history of agricultural development for centuries, and has continuously enabled the industry to improve its efficiencies and support farm and plantations operators in carrying out their activities more effectively.
The current wave of emerging technologies within mechanisation, robotics and automation could therefore effectively transition the industry towards greater levels of efficiency, productivity and sustainability in the years to come.
The infusion of Artificial Intelligence technology provides an added level of reliability and efficiency to these operations, and could very well shepherd the industry towards a new high-technology era. One in which skilled workers are hired to carry out agricultural tasks supported by sophisticated and intelligent agricultural technology equipment and machinery.
Such a transition in the industry could effectively transform the sector, making agricultural jobs highly attractive to local job-seekers and reducing the industries present dependency on foreign labour. These technologies could also support the promotion of the economic welfare of nations, as well as support efforts towards ensuring that the food security needs of the world are adequately met in a way that is sustainable for all future generations.
References:
- History of Agricultural Equipment: Important Developments and Examples, Dave Biering, Accessed 20/7/2023
- Study Smarter: Mechanised Farming, Accessed 20/7/2023
- Agricultural Mechanisation and Agricultural Transformation, Diao, X, Silver, J, Takeshima, H, Accessed 22/7/2023
- 16 Agricultural Robots and Farm Robots You Should Know, Stephen Gosset, Accessed 22/7/2023
- Robotics in Agriculture: Advantages and Disadvantages
- 10 Agriculture Automation Companies Shaping the Future of Farming, Linly Ku, Accessed 22/7/2023
- Some information in this article was sourced using ChatGPT
