The modern world is undergoing a serious test regarding food security along with the increasing population and climate crisis. The most powerful solution to this test is smart farming systems that combine traditional agricultural methods with digital technologies. The question of what is a smart farming system is not just a technical curiosity today, but also a vital necessity for the sustainability of agricultural production. As Esular, we are at the center of this transformation; we offer end-to-end technological solutions to our farmers, from soil moisture sensors to wireless valve control systems. In this comprehensive guide, we will examine in detail what smart farming is, its components, the concrete advantages it provides to the farmer, and its applications in the world.
What is a Smart Farming System? Foundations of Digital Transformation
Smart farming, in its simplest definition, is the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) at every stage of agricultural production. However, this definition does not fully reflect the depth of the system. Smart farming is an ecosystem where Internet of Things (IoT), big data analytics, artificial intelligence, sensor technologies, and automation come together to specifically determine the needs of every square meter in the field. In traditional agriculture, the same amount of water and fertilizer is given to the entire field, while in a smart farming system, the amount needed by each plant is delivered at exactly the right time and in the most accurate way.
Smart Farming Applications: What is Changing in the Field?
Smart farming applications eliminate uncertainty in the field. Farmers can now see how much water is at what centimeter depth of the soil via their smartphones without going to the field. This digital revolution has become accessible not only for large-scale enterprises but also for small and medium-sized producers.
Precision Irrigation and the Esular Approach
The smart irrigation systems we have developed as Esular work with soil moisture sensors placed at different points of the field. These sensors monitor the water-holding capacity of the soil and the moisture status in the root zone of the plant. If the moisture level falls below the determined critical threshold, the system automatically opens the wireless valves. In this way, both water waste is prevented and the plant's development continues without entering stress.
Remote Sensing and Imaging
Drones and satellite images are the eyes of smart farming. With methods such as NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), which analyzes the light spectrums reflected by plants, diseases or nutrient deficiencies in the field can be detected before they become visible to the naked eye.
What Does Digital Smart Farming Gain for the Farmer?
Digitalization turns agriculture from being a gamble into a predictable business model. Significant savings are achieved in water, energy, fertilizer, and labor costs, which are the largest expense items for farmers.
Smart Farming Automation: Technical Details and Operation
Smart farming automation ensures that all devices in the field work in harmony like an orchestra conductor. At the heart of these systems are decision support algorithms. For example, a pivot irrigation system or a drip irrigation line works based on real-time data, not just based on a timer.
Smart Irrigation Systems and Water Resources Management
Approximately 70% of the world's freshwater resources are used in agriculture. Smart irrigation systems are the most effective tool for protecting this limited resource. Esular's solar-powered irrigation solutions ensure the most efficient management of water even in regions where there is no electricity infrastructure.
The Importance of Soil Moisture Monitoring
The presence of water in the soil does not mean that the plant can take this water. When the soil is too wet, the roots cannot breathe (remain airless), and when it is too dry, the plant spends excessive energy to draw water. Smart systems keep the soil in the ideal zone between "Field Capacity" and "Wilting Point."
Efficiency Increase Scenario with Smart Farming Systems
Let's consider a corn producer. They irrigate for 10 hours once a week using the traditional method. However, that week might have been cloudy and the soil might have preserved its moisture. The producer using a smart farming system sees that irrigation is not necessary that week by looking at the sensor data. This situation:
As a result, at the end of the season, both costs decrease and yield increases because plant health is protected. Esular systems take the management burden off the farmer by making this efficiency cycle completely automatic.
Environmental Sustainability and Green Farming
Smart farming is not only an economic choice but also an ethical responsibility. Applying chemical fertilizers and pesticides only to the areas needed, in the amounts needed (variable rate application), minimizes soil pollution. Esular technologies contribute to leaving a livable world for future generations by reducing the carbon footprint of agriculture.
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
The fact that smart systems work with low power consumption and can be integrated with solar energy reduces fossil fuel dependency in agricultural production. Esular wireless units can serve for years with a single battery or a small solar panel, which eliminates cable clutter and maintenance costs in the field.
Conclusion: Start the Future of Agriculture Today with Esular
This comprehensive answer we have given to the question of what is a smart farming system shows what kind of miracle technology creates when it touches the soil. As Esular, we are determined to make Turkish agriculture and world farmers a part of this digital revolution. With our smart irrigation, greenhouse automation, and IoT-based solutions, we ensure that our farmers get more and higher quality products with fewer resources.
Digitalization in agriculture is not an option, but a necessity. If you also want to transform your land into a smart business, protect every drop of your water, and increase your profitability, meet Esular's expert team. We are with you in soil analysis, system design, and installation processes. The future is in the soil, and technology is in Esular!
You can contact us for more information and your projects, and you can review our other blog posts about modern agricultural practices.