The second decade of the 2000s. The Fourth Industrial Revolution. New technologies are making their way into historically traditional sectors, such as the agriculture or livestock farming, demonstrating that agricultural processes Greater productivity, autonomy and efficiency are possible if the human workforce is reduced. That’s right: the most innovative technology is already part of the agriculture, giving its name to what we know as Agriculture 4.0.
Would you like to know what this trend is all about: What is Agriculture 4.0? and what are the new technologies that form part of it? !Euroinnova He'll tell you all about it!
What is Agriculture 4.0?
Now then, What exactly is Agriculture 4.0? How can we define it?
The Agriculture 4.0 -also digital agriculture o smart farming– is the term used to describe the form of agriculture that has been developing since 2010, in which new technologies are here to stay. Specifically, the digital tools and the intelligent precision modelling systems are becoming part of farmers’ day-to-day lives, as they now make decisions based on two key factors: data and respect for the environment.
The digitalisation of the agri-food sector It can offer numerous benefits, both for farmers and for society as a whole. More efficient crops, improved profitability of farming, minimisation of human intervention in crop production, reduced pollution and waste…
Although we will explain more about the Agriculture 4.0 Throughout this article, it is worth noting that one of its fundamental pillars is the sustainability and the respect for the environment. For this reason, the digitalisation of agriculture aims to to reduce emissions of polluting gases, to help reduce the greenhouse effect and global warming, to make more sustainable use of natural resources such as water and soil, and to use chemicals, such as fertilisers and pesticides, in a controlled and considered manner.
From Agriculture 1.0 to Agriculture 4.0
A common question about the Agriculture 4.0 That is its name. Why is the 4.0? In fact, its nomenclature derives from the sequence of Agriculture 1.0, Agriculture 2.0 and Agriculture 3.0. Furthermore, the number 4 also refers to the fact that this type of agriculture is being developed within the Fourth Industrial Revolution, characterised by the management of big data and technological autonomy.
To gain a better understanding of this concept, we shall go through it from Agriculture 1.0 to Agriculture 4.0. Will you be joining us?
Agriculture 1.0: working the land to make a living
Also known as subsistence farming o traditional farming, is characterised by placing the farmer at the centre. In other words, it is the farmer who cultivates the land independently, for the sake of survival. In some cases, the produce was also sold, but the income generated was minimal.
Although this type of farming is no longer common in our society, it remains so in developing countries, where people do not have access to technology.
Agriculture 2.0: Goodbye to tradition, hello to environmental damage
The Agriculture 2.0 is the one that developed in the second half of the 20th century and continued into the second millennium, known as the ‘’Green Revolution’. Although farming techniques remained largely traditional, certain elements were introduced, such as the use of pesticides, fertilisers and specialised machinery.
The need for labour is reduced, as tasks are now delegated to machinery and techniques that are less reliant on human intervention. In this regard, it is worth noting that the main objective of Agriculture 2.0 was to financial profitability and the crop yield, rather than subsistence.
Agriculture 3.0: Data and respect for the environment
With the arrival of the second millennium, in the 2000s, came the Agriculture 3.0. This is characterised not only by the pursuit of financial profitability, but also by the commitment to respect for the environment and to prevent the overexploitation of natural resources, such as the soil. This is something that, until now, had not been taken into account.
So much so that, particularly with the Agriculture 2.0, the indiscriminate use of substances harmful to the soil led to a loss of biodiversity and the development of a environmental impact negative.
To achieve this third stage in the agricultural development, some of the pioneering technologies of the time began to be incorporated. For example, the GPS systems led to an optimisation of resources and a more profitable outcome. Furthermore, there is also a commitment to data collection, to study how crops behave under certain conditions.
Agriculture 4.0: Digital tools and smart systems
With the arrival of 2010 and the early stages of the advance of new technologies in the industrial sectors, digital tools are making their way into the agricultural sector. Thus, one of the main features of the Agriculture 4.0 is the use of digital tools y intelligent precision modelling systems to improve crop yields, whilst ensuring the greatest possible respect for the environment.
The Agriculture 4.0 It relies on human labour only to a limited extent, particularly when it comes to strategic decision-making. It is data that drives that decision-making.
New technologies in Agriculture 4.0
To find out what the new technologies in Agriculture 4.0 It will help you understand how it works and its benefits for society. Below, we set out some of the key elements of Agriculture 4.0 and what kinds of digital tools are most common. Let’s go!
- INTERNET OF THINGS (IoT)
The Internet of Things (IoT) It is a network of connected devices, as well as the technology that enables these devices to communicate with one another and with the cloud. But how does this apply to the agricultural sector?
The IoT in Agriculture 4.0 It can be found, mainly, in the use of sensors, drones and other devices which, when connected to one another, can function as a single unit or organism. In this way, by combining and connecting different elements and devices, thanks to the Internet of Things, it is possible to detect anomalies, prevent them before they occur and obtain real-time data.
Thanks to the use of the IoT, for example, real-time data can be obtained on weather conditions, plant health or soil moisture.
- BIG DATA
The big data is another of the fundamental pillars of the Agriculture 4.0, as it enables us to collect large volumes of data, analyse them and store them securely. This data can take many forms, depending on the needs and requirements of each crop and each farmer.
For example, the use of big data in Agriculture 4.0 can be seen in the collection of data on the condition of crops, which enables well-considered and objective decisions to be made.
- BLOCKCHAIN
In line with the previous technology of the big data, the blockchain It is another key element of Agriculture 4.0. The ‘blockchain’ is primarily used to safeguard the confidentiality and privacy of the data stored.
For example, blockchain and its technology guarantee anonymity and prevent exposure to potential hacking attacks.
- ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
The artificial intelligence It is now part of our everyday lives, and of course, part of Agriculture 4.0 as well. The Applications and benefits of AI in agriculture they are extremely wide, and it can be found in areas such as image-based crop identification, the optimisation of water resources, misting and the early detection of pests, amongst others.
Implementing AI in Agriculture 4.0 makes it possible, for example, to improve seed selection. Algorithms can analyse large volumes of genetic and environmental data, providing insights into which types of crops are most beneficial in a matter of minutes.
- ROBOTICS AND DRONES
The robotics in general and the use of drones In particular, they are also important elements of the Agriculture 4.0. Primarily, robotics makes it possible to optimise the use of agricultural resources and increase the profitability of processes. Specifically, these include the so-called agricultural robots or ‘agricultural robots‘, which make the farmer’s work easier and more convenient.
These robots, controlled by a computer, carry out the same tasks that a person might perform. From harvesting and gathering to monitoring crops or spraying.
Furthermore, the use of drones It is becoming increasingly common in this sector, as it helps to provide a panoramic view of the field, monitor crops from the air and apply pesticides and other products accurately and efficiently.
- 5G CONNECTIVITY
Finally, the 5G connection It is another of the cornerstones of Agriculture 4.0. This type of connectivity enables real-time communication between different digital devices located within the same crop. Furthermore, it facilitates the transmission of large volumes of data, a key element in Agriculture 4.0.
If we have said that processing large volumes of data is crucial to the success of the digitalisation of agriculture, then having a good connection – such as 5G – will be essential.
The importance of Agri-Industry 4.0
Although you’ve probably already received an answer to Why is Agriculture 4.0 so important?, we wish to emphasise its importance in the society in which we live.
Having historically been a very traditional sector – and at times even obsolete – agriculture has managed to reinvent itself and adapt to the realities of the modern world. Reinvent yourself or die! And so, farmers are able to achieve higher yields from their crops, and you even have to put in less physical effort.
Furthermore, due to the major climate changes the planet is undergoing, the agriculture it also had to adapt, whilst trying to minimise the consequences as much as possible. Thus, Agriculture 4.0 is capable of exerting greater control over the effects of the weather, anticipating and foreseeing what will happen.
¡MORE PRODUCTIVE, MORE SUSTAINABLE AND SAFER CROPS!
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