AgTech: Where Tradition and Modernity Meet
From Ploughs to Drones - And a Mindset Shift
In the vast landscape of agriculture, the blending of tradition and modernity has always been a compelling narrative.
Arguably, now more than ever before.
From the earliest days of subsistence farming to the highly mechanised and technologically advanced systems of today, agriculture has continuously evolved.
This [re]evolution is not just about adopting new technologies, but also about integrating them with traditional practices (and often outdated mindsets) to create a more stable, more sustainable, and efficient farming ecosystem.
But… we have to be mindful that change is neither simple nor easy.
It's easy to complain, label, and roll our eyes, and point out where others need to change (in this case it could be farmers, production managers, etc) but we all know that it’s tough to kick old habits and old procedures, especially where these have become the long-standing set of norms and conventional practices.
Moreover, we need to concede that we overestimate our own abilities to change. And yet personal development always precedes any meaningful change in the world, and change arises out of hardship and necessity before it arrises out of simple choice.
For the most part, changing away from outdated methods takes place because leaders are out of options and have no other choice, or if visionaries - ahead of the curve compared to their peers - they are able to visualise the dream, the end goal, the future use cases, and the ROI - taking the leap before it becomes necessary.
From my experience this kind of shift into the new, happens either by a change in mindset (personal development) or a change in leadership itself (different person, different mindset).
But turnover for the sake of change is avoidable - and should be, in most situations - all other factors being equal. The most experienced farmers and managers have a great amount of collective wisdom and expertise about their unique and specific domain. There is simply no replacement for experience. But the horse will need to willingly drink at the water’s edge - and that’s a rather large challenge.
However, our mindsets can change, and our decisions to buy new products (ie. adopt modern solutions) can be influenced by several factors (and mostly, it depends on the person and their unique set of circumstances)
Perceived Need: When we perceive a genuine need or problem that our current beliefs or solutions cannot adequately address, we are more likely to consider new products or solutions.
Education and Information: When we have clear, compelling information about the benefits and advantages of a new product or solution this can help change our mindset. This information can come from various sources, including marketing materials, reviews, and testimonials, and for some of us, simply due to a large amount of curiosity.
Demonstrated Value: We are more likely to change our mindset and adopt new products or solutions when we see tangible value or improvement over going with our current beliefs or solutions. This could include cost savings, increased efficiency, or enhanced performance.
Social Influence: Peer recommendations, social proof, and trends can also play a significant role in changing our mindset. If we see others adopting a new product or solution and benefiting from it, we may be more inclined to change.
Innovation and Novelty: Sometimes, the sheer novelty of a new and innovative product or solution can also be enough to change our mindset. We might be drawn to new experiences or technologies that promise something different from the status quo.
Perceived Risk: We might change our mindset and adopt new products or solutions if we perceive the risk of not doing so as greater than the risk of trying something new. This could include risks related to competition, market changes, legislation, or technological advancements that demand a change in other areas.
Emotional Factors: The fear of missing out, excitement, or a desire for change, can play a role in changing our mindsets too. Products or solutions that tap into these emotions can often be more persuasive than others.
Social influence and emotional factors aside, changing our mindsets and adopting new products or solutions requires from our side a combination of addressing our limiting beliefs (fear of the unknown, imposter syndrome, lack of information, etc), identifying perceived and real needs, considering all the compelling information, grasping the demonstrated value, focusing on innovation, and mitigating any risks - processing and addressing any objections.
The Evolution of Agriculture: From Tradition to Technology
Agriculture has been the backbone of human civilisation for millennia.
Early farming practices were labor-intensive, and heavily reliant on manual labor, animal power, and natural elements.
However, civilisations progressed.
And so did our agricultural techniques.
For example, the invention of the plough (around 1000 BC) absolutely revolutionised farming by increasing efficiency and in turn productivity.
The industrial revolution brought mechanisation to agriculture, with machines like the tractor and combine harvesters that transformed farming practices.
This era marked the beginning of the modern era of agriculture, characterised by increased mechanisation, the use of agrochemicals, and the steady rise of monoculture farming as we know it today.
The Rise of AgTech…
Marrying Tradition with Modern Solutions
Today, agriculture stands firmly in the early stages of another revolution: the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).
This era is being driven by technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), drones, and robotics, which are reshaping the agricultural landscape. However, it’s like nothing we have seen or experienced before - exponential technological advancements on a massive scale that’s difficult to comprehend, let alone quantify.
The successful implementation of traditional and 4IR solutions, lies in integrating these approaches into existing agricultural practices, either wholly or in part. As we’ve discussed at the start, not easy, but possible.
For example, using drones for aerial surveys aids farmers in monitoring crop health and soil conditions (through targeted sampling) allowing for strategic interventions.
Similarly, AI-powered analytics platforms are helping farmers and other stakeholders in the value chain, to make high-integrity data-driven decisions within the context of agribusiness and production management, operations, and logistics - to name a few.
AgTech Solutions and Concepts
While the world of AgTech is more diverse and expansive than one might think - too large for the single article we have here today - below are some areas and concepts that are becoming increasingly popular, or making more and more of an impact with each passing season.
Precision Agriculture:
Precision agriculture uses technology to optimise field-level management with regard to crop farming. It includes GPS guidance systems, control systems, sensors, robotics, drones, autonomous vehicles, variable rate technology, GPS-based soil sampling, and automated hardware.
Smart Farming:
Similar to “precision agriculture” Smart farming is a concept that refers to managing farms using increasingly modern technologies to increase the quantity and quality of products, while optimising the human labour required. There is a heavy focus on data-use, automation, IoT, interoperability, and AI-backed systems and insights to increase productivity and reduce waste.
Precision Irrigation:
Precision irrigation technologies, including drip irrigation and soil moisture sensors, represent a significant advancement in agricultural practices.
These technologies are nowadays often overlooked as they become more commonplace, but the advancements and the benefits are truly quite remarkable, and should not be played down by any means.
Precise irrigation enables farmers to deliver water and nutrients precisely where and when they are needed. Drip irrigation systems, for example, deliver water slowly and directly to the base of plants, minimising evaporation and runoff.
This targeted approach not only conserves water but also ensures that plants receive the right amount of moisture, promoting healthier growth and higher yields.
In-field telemetry like soil moisture sensors complement drip irrigation by providing real-time data on soil moisture levels, allowing farmers to adjust irrigation schedules accordingly.
Additionally, high resolution remote sensing data (like that obtained from a drone survey) offer production teams and agri-consultants further insights into irrigation system effectiveness and performance (including areas of concern) as well as clues as to the status of plant, soil, and root health in these areas.
Integrated Farming Systems:
Integrated farming systems combine crop cultivation with livestock rearing and agroforestry. This approach not only optimises land use but also improves soil fertility and reduces the risk of pests and diseases.
For a local South African example doing exactly that, check out: Lowerland Organic Farm’s interview on LandbouSake (Afrikaans) or follow on Instagram over here.
A lot of examples today are focused on smallholdings, urban or community market gardens, etc - but Lowerland and others are proving it’s possible at a commercial scale.
Agroecology:
An essential element of agroecology involves promoting and nurturing diversity across various levels; ranging from genetic diversity, to landscape diversity.
This approach treats farms as ecosystems, emphasising the interconnectedness and interaction among plants, animals, humans, and the environment.
Agroecological practices focus on sustainable farming techniques that aim to mimic natural ecosystems. This includes crop diversification, agroforestry, and the use of organic fertilisers and natural predators to control pests.
Regenerative Agriculture vs Agroecology: What’s the difference?
(good question, glad you asked)
Both regenerative agriculture and agroecology aim to shift away from environmentally damaging industrial farming practices towards sustainable farming methods that protect the environment. Regenerative agriculture focuses on improving soil health and carbon sequestration, offering potential for large-scale change.
Agroecology, on the other hand, emphasises biodiversity, local food sovereignty, and traditional knowledge, crucial for sustainable agriculture at the community level.
Combining both approaches, tailored to the unique needs of the farming operation, land, and crop type, is the most effective way forward. Understanding and utilising these methods is essential for each individual operation where there’s an aim to contribute to a more sustainable food production system.
Circular Economy Practices:
Circular economy practices aim to minimise waste and maximise resource efficiency.
This includes recycling agricultural waste, using renewable energy sources, and promoting the use of biodegradable materials.
FURTHER READING: What is circular economy and why does it matter?
In essence, circular principles are based on taking outputs (including waste) and utilising them as inputs elsewhere on the farm, adding value to the system as a whole, as opposed to taking from it.
Blockchain in Agriculture:
Blockchain technology can be used to improve traceability, transparency, and efficiency in the agricultural supply chain. It can help track the journey of produce from farm to table, ensuring food safety and authenticity.
Furthermore, companies like Fruittex are already doing some incredible work; operating at the intersection of AgTech, fintech, and climate tech, leveraging technology to innovate and create synergies between agriculture, finance, and environmental sustainability. This innovative tokenization process creates a bridge between the physical and digital worlds.
In essence, Fruittex provides farmers with a pathway to generate capital and liquidity through their unique tokenization process. And by tokenizing agricultural holdings into Fruittex Farm Tokens (FFT), farmers can efficiently manage their orchards, track yield data, and unlock new revenue streams.
Blockchain innovations not only have the promise of enhancing the financial landscape for farmers but also in fostering a more sustainable and prosperous agricultural industry.
Biotechnology:
A mix of scientific curiosity and the drive to benefit society is fueling the latest wave of innovative bio-technological advancements.
Biotechnology is, in short, used in agriculture to improve crop yield and quality.
Technologies include genetic modification, gene editing, and tissue culture techniques to create crops that are more resilient, more nutritionally dense, or increasingly resistant to pests, diseases, and other environmental stresses like salinity, excessive water, or mineral toxicity.
In the coming decade, we will see genome editing expand, merging with advancements in machine learning, live cell imaging, and sequencing.
This fusion of discovery and engineering will only enhance innovations like CRISPR - addressing current challenges and broadening its applications in research.
Conclusion
The marriage of tradition and modernity in agriculture represents a powerful opportunity to create a sustainable and efficient food system.
It’s not easy, and we cannot assume it will be.
Change won’t happen overnight.
For those of us creating the solutions that are to be the catalysts for change; we need to create robust high-quality, ethical solutions. Not band-aids, bells & whistles, fluff, and hollow promises. Real, hardcore, and resilient AgTech solutions that can replace the old and be interoperable with the knowledge, wisdom and experience of the old.
By integrating traditional knowledge with cutting-edge technologies, farming operations really can optimise yields and enhance food security.
Together, we can create and take advantage of modern concepts and practices that help to ensure a brighter future for agriculture and the planet (the humans included).