Smart farming in agriculture

Smart farming– this is now a popular term, a fashionable, promising term. But to be honest, sometimes it feels more like a marketing ploy than a real solution to the problems farmers face. They talk a lot about automation, sensors, analytics... But how does it all work in practice? I won't sugarcoat it - reality is often more complicated than beautiful presentations. I will try to share my experience, observations, and, perhaps, some failures. I don’t pretend to be the absolute truth, but I hope that the story will be useful to those who are really interested in the introduction of new technologies in the agricultural sector.

Debunking Myths About Automation

Farmers and consultants often see automation as a panacea for all ills. Imagine: soil moisture sensors, automatic watering, precision fertilization, drones for monitoring... Sounds perfect. But, firstly, the cost of such a set of equipment may be prohibitive for many farms, especially small ones. Secondly, the need for qualified personnel to maintain and configure the system is often underestimated. Thirdly, and most importantly, automation does not always solve key problems. For example, accurate information on soil moisture is good, but it will not solve the problem of labor shortages or logistics.

Let me remember one case: one of the farms in Shandong province installed a complex automatic irrigation system using sensors and algorithms. As a result, the system worked perfectly, watering was accurate and timely, but the yield did not increase. The reason turned out to be not the quality of irrigation, but problems with soil quality and insufficient preparation for sowing. Automation, in this case, simply highlighted existing problems without solving them.

So before you invest money insmart solutions, it is important to carefully analyze your needs and evaluate how much automation will really help solve specific problems. Otherwise it will just be a beautiful but ineffective tool.

Problems with data and analytics

Even if the equipment is installed, the problem does not disappear. Obtaining useful data is a separate task. Many sensors produce a huge flow of information, but how to process and interpret it? Farmers often face the problem of 'data overload'. You need to be able to filter, analyze and identify key patterns.

We at Shandong Linyao Intelligent Agriculture Technology Co.,Ltd often encounter this problem with our clients. We have developments in the field of data processing and analysis using machine learning. But even with the most modern technologies, it is necessary to understand that interpreting data is not only a technical task, but also a matter of expert knowledge and experience. You can't just blindly trust algorithms.

For example, we are developing systems for monitoring the condition of crops based on data from drones and satellites. But for this data to be useful, you need to be able to interpret it in the context of a specific crop, soil type and weather conditions. A simple drone image will not provide any valuable information without expert judgment.

Real experience: application in the production of hydraulic structures

On the other hand, we successfully usesmart technologiesin the design and construction of hydraulic structures. We develop automatic valve control systems, water level sensors, and condition monitoring systems for dams and dams. This allows not only to increase the safety and reliability of the infrastructure, but also to optimize its operation.

We recently participated in a project to modernize the irrigation canal management system in one of the regions. We installed pressure and water flow sensors, developed an automatic irrigation control system, and implemented a system for remote monitoring of canal condition. As a result, we were able to reduce water losses by 20% and increase the efficiency of irrigation.

This project showed thatintelligent solutionscan be very effective, but only if they take an integrated approach and take into account all factors.

Important aspects of implementation

In addition to technical aspects, it is important to consider organizational ones. It is necessary to develop a clear implementation strategysmart technologies, define goals and objectives, allocate resources and train staff.

Farmers are often reluctant to change their usual working methods. It is necessary to conduct educational seminars and trainings, demonstrate in practice the advantages of new technologies and support them in the adaptation process.

It is also important to provide reliable technical support and service. It is necessary to be able to quickly solve problems that arise and ensure uninterrupted operation of equipment.

Integration and compatibility issues

Another important point is the integration of various systems and devices. A farmer may have different equipment from different manufacturers, and it is important that all these systems can communicate with each other. This requires the use of uniform standards and data exchange protocols.

We are actively working to create a platform that allows us to integrate various systems and devices. This platform allows farmers to collect data from all their sensors and devices in a single interface and use it to make informed decisions.

Data security issues must be taken into account. It is necessary to protect data from unauthorized access and ensure its confidentiality.

Development prospectssmart farming

Smart farming– this is not just a fashion trend, it is the future of the agricultural sector. Technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, the Internet of Things, and blockchain will play an increasingly important role in making agriculture more efficient and sustainable.

In the near future, we will see increased use of drones, robots, and precision farming systems. This will optimize the use of resources, reduce costs and increase productivity.

Shandong Linyao Intelligent Agriculture Technology LLC continues to actively develop and introduce new technologies into the agricultural sector. We are sure thatsmart farmingwill help solve many of the problems facing modern agriculture and ensure food security.