What is digital agriculture, digital Agriculture, also known as Precision Agriculture or Smart Farming, refers to the use of digital technologies in agricultural production activities to increase efficiency and productivity. In this process, a variety of different technologies are employed. It is possible to utilize digital agriculture technologies in all processes such as crop cultivation, irrigation, fertilization, and climate monitoring. In fact, digital agriculture technologies have been part of our lives for a long time. However, with the advancement of technology, they have become even more crucial in today’s agriculture sector.
Digital agriculture technologies are commonly used in agricultural fields, greenhouses, vertical farming areas, and soilless farming technologies.
Major digital agriculture technologies include:
- Soil Analysis Systems
- Weather Stations
- Monitoring with Sensors
- Smart Irrigation Systems
- Smart Fertilization Systems
- Vertical Farming and Soilless Farming Systems
Soil Analysis Systems
The crucial aspect of digital agriculture lies in understanding the soil and the plant. At the forefront of this lies the need to understand and analyze the soil. Conducting soil analyses is essential to comprehend and interpret the soil. The results of soil analysis not only aid in selecting the most suitable plant species for the region but also provide vital insights for healthier fertilization and irrigation processes post-planting.
Soil analysis, which is a crucial stage of digital agriculture, can be conducted continuously using various sensors deployed in the field and IoT (Internet of Things) technology, or it can also be carried out in analysis devices or laboratories. While laboratory analyses often yield better results, utilizing IoT measurement techniques can be beneficial for continuous monitoring and better tracking of real-time changes.
Weather Stations
We can say that weather stations are essential for agriculture and efficient production. In open agricultural fields, it is crucial to anticipate climatic changes and monitor the climatic conditions to which the plant is exposed. Weather stations play a vital role in predicting the plant’s water needs, measuring evapotranspiration (ETO) and evapotranspiration coefficient (ETC) values, calculating dew points, measuring cold weather conditions affecting the plant, and monitoring soil moisture levels, among many other measurements. You can find more information about weather stations from the following article.
Monitoring with Sensors
In digital agriculture technologies, it can be said that monitoring the entire process is crucial. The use of sensors is very important both for tracking sensor data and for performing autonomous operations with the help of sensor data. Monitoring sensors remotely, recording data, and processing this data through computer systems enable increased efficiency, reduced water, fertilizer, and pesticide usage. Moreover, early warning systems established with sensors help prevent plant and yield losses.
Smart Irrigation Systems
Smart irrigation systems are also among the important elements of digital agriculture. Irrigation plays a significant role in crop production. More precisely, conducting crop production without water is not easy. Therefore, the need for digital agriculture technologies in irrigation processes has increased.
With the increasing popularity of drip irrigation systems, along with limited access to water and time constraints, and the rising costs of water, the need for better water management systems has increased. At this stage, there is a growing necessity for improved control of valves, pumps, and fertilization systems. As esular, you can examine the technologies we offer from the link below.
Smart Fertilization Systems
Smart Fertilization Systems revolutionize the way fertilizers are applied in agricultural practices. By integrating advanced technology and data-driven algorithms, these systems optimize the fertilization process to meet the specific needs of crops while minimizing waste and environmental impact. Through precise control of fertilizer application rates, timing, and distribution, smart fertilization systems ensure that plants receive the nutrients they require for healthy growth, leading to increased yields and improved crop quality. With features such as remote monitoring and automated adjustments, farmers can efficiently manage fertilization activities and make informed decisions to enhance overall agricultural productivity.
Smart and automatic fertilization systems ensure the delivery of the right amount of fertilizer to plants by facilitating the mixing of fertilizer and water. With the increasing use of liquid fertilizers and the development of soilless farming practices, the demand for such systems has grown significantly. The aim here is to automate the process of injecting fertilizer into the system.
Smart and Automatic Fertilization Operating Principle:
Various fertilizers and acids in the mixing tank are dosed and injected into the main irrigation line as a homogeneous solution. The absorption of fertilizer and acid in the dosage channels is based on the venturi principle, which relies on the differentiation of pressure existing in the main line. It can be designed in 3+1, 4+1, 5+1 formats tailored to the need. As esular, we offer smart and automatic fertilization systems. You can access our detailed article on the subject from the link below.
Vertical Farming and Soilless Farming Systems
Vertical farming and soilless farming systems are innovative agricultural techniques that offer efficient and sustainable solutions to modern farming challenges. By utilizing vertical spaces and eliminating the need for soil, these methods maximize crop yields, conserve water, and reduce environmental impact. With the potential to revolutionize food production, they represent promising approaches for meeting the demands of a rapidly changing world. You can access detailed information about it from the link below.