Blogs

Climate change has accelerated the risk of pest-induced and weed-induced crop losses. A majority of farmers protect their crops against these infestations through pesticides. Unfortunately, pesticides are ‘intrinsically toxic’ for human health and the environment according to the World Health Organization (WHO). If farmers refrain from using pesticides, the crop yield will decrease and worsen the global food security problem.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations published a journal article which explored the idea of precision agriculture as a new technology in crop production. That was the year 1999. Since then, precision farming has come a long way and is fast gaining momentum as a cutting-edge farming approach. It is now expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.9% to be valued at USD 15.6 billion in 2030.

The agricultural ecosystem needs a radical transformation. It needs to become a powerful enabler of a more accessible and resilient food system. The only way this can happen is through technology. A Monitor Deloitte report ‘From Agriculture to AgTech’ states that technology can improve yield efficiency, increase supply chain efficiency, and decrease complexity along farmers’ value chain.

Agriculture has been serving mankind for centuries and continues to be a vital part of the global economy. However, the pace of population growth requires a radical transformation in agriculture to ensure food security for the estimated nearly 10 billion people by 2050.

Climate change and the depletion of natural resources are two big threats to the sustainable development of the agricultural sector. According to a report by the UN Environment Program, the extraction of natural resources leads to 90% of biodiversity loss and water stress. These numbers are expected to deteriorate further.