Agriculture and the Internet of Things

The Internet of Things (IoT), refers to the “network of physical objects— ‘things’—that are embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies for the purpose of connecting and exchanging data with other devices and systems over the internet.” (Oracle). IoT has given us the ability to connect everyday objects to the internet, giving the objects the power to adjust their behavior and perform tasks better using the data they collect. In short, IoT has given birth to smart technology that makes our lives simpler. Many industry leaders have taken note of the advantages of IoT, and drastic changes have been made in industry practices as a result. The agricultural industry is one that has greatly evolved because of new technologies like IoT.

Data is the driving force behind IoT in our digitally connected world. Digitally connected devices can use the data fed to them from their connections to adapt and adjust to changing conditions. Smart technology can help us to simplify tasks, saving us time, money, and energy in the process. The agricultural industry is at the constant mercy of changes in the environment and landscape, weather conditions, and population size. IoT can help the agricultural sector to adjust to these conditions while cutting down costs and sparing resources. For example, IoT can help farmers to monitor the condition of their crops and land remotely. By deploying drones powered by IoT, farmers can capture an aerial view of their fields. These drones can be connected to a smart device, such as a tablet, which can then record and analyze the images taken by the drone to determine the condition of the fields. This data can be stored to create a profile of the land and give the farmer an accurate idea of what the conditions are like and how they can be improved without the need to examine the fields physically. This allows the farmer to save money on labor costs.


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Farmers can also utilize IoT to produce food more efficiently. As the global population increases, so does the need for a reliable food supply. Unfortunately, overproduction and uneven distribution of resources have led to massive food waste. Smart devices can monitor the amount of product being used versus the amount that is wasted to determine the exact volume needed to fill the demand. In addition, smart sensors embedded in the land can monitor temperature, soil moisture, air humidity, pests, and other data points that are crucial to raising healthy crops. Using the data collected on the conditions of the land, farmers can then make smarter decisions on planting, allowing them to grow their crops in the most optimal conditions. This can help reduce crop death due to disease or poor land conditions.

IoT has empowered the agricultural industry to implement new systems of farming that are more efficient and sustainable. These changes can help the agricultural industry transform, reducing its overall impact on our climate. Likewise, IoT can empower our society to reduce wasted resources and ensure equitable distribution.
December 22, 2021