Why Farmers Should Adopt Digital Farming

Digital farming is the future of Indian agriculture. The use of technology in agriculture enhances yield, efficiency, and profitability. Currently, the agriculture sector is valued at $370 US billion and is one of the primary sectors in the Indian economy. The GDP contribution by the agriculture sector increased from 17.8% in 2019-20 to 19.9% in 2020-21. And it is estimated to grow further in the coming years with the implementation of digital technology in farming, yielding higher crops and enhancing sustainability by reducing water consumption and agrochemicals.

Furthermore, there is a growing demand for food for an ever-growing population coupled with many challenges such as weather, droughts, rainfall, and whatnot. Hence, there is a need to adopt modern, sustainable farming practices backed by technology. Digital farming will lead to farmers’ steady income flow by meeting all the agriculture challenges. Digital technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), remote sensing, big data, and IoT are transforming farming like never before. However, the adoption of these technologies in India is yet to catch up with the pace of other countries.

What is digital farming?

Digital farming is the process in which technology is leveraged to increase crop production to meet food demand sustainably and increase the income flow of farmers. Technologies empower the agricultural industry with tools and information to make more informed decisions. These tools help farmers digitally collect, store, and analyse data and use the information to get timely and relevant insights to prevent losses and increase productivity by staying well-informed.

Reasons why farmers should adopt digital farming

In India, agriculture is the primary source of livelihood for about 58% of India’s population. And approximately 60% of the Indian population works in the agriculture industry, contributing about 18% to India’s GDP. Digital farming comprises precision farming and smart farming implemented with intelligent software and hardware. Precision farming adopts technology-powered farming management that observes, measures, and analyses the needs of a specific field. At the same time, smart farming is a management concept that leverages technology for tracking, monitoring, automating, and analysing activities.

By implementing these advanced technologies, farmers can get comprehensive digital analyses of their farms in real-time. They can make timely decisions, act according to their needs, and do not have to compromise on the quality of the produce. It also helps to cut down the use of pesticides, fertilisers, and water.

Digital farming increases productivity and lowers production costs

Digital farming enables farmers to prevent the development of unhealthy soil. The technology helps farmers maintain soil health by visualising, understanding, and improving soil fertility. The sensors help remotely monitor soil moisture, humidity, nutrient levels, temperature, and acidity. When the sensors connect to the irrigation system, they maintain soil health by providing the required water.

Digital farming also helps identify productivity zones in fields because productivity varies in each zone. It provides yield mapping data that is of significant importance. Therefore by analysing data, farmers can reduce unnecessary wastage. It thus enables to collect the field-level data easily that gives precise information, helps in making informed decisions, thus reducing risk and improving efficiency, increasing productivity and profitability.

It prevents soil degradation.

Digital farming provides sustainable means of agriculture that stops soil erosion. The agrochemicals used in the fields cause soil erosion and degradation. Technology enables the limited use of these chemicals to prevent soil degradation. Digital farming techniques can protect and restore ecosystems and improve the health of the soil.

Digital farming helps farmers increase income and improve their socio-economic status

Adoption of digital farming allows farmers to increase their yield; it, in turn, will fetch them good income. Their overall conditions improve, enabling them to have better education for their children and healthy family life. Because of their increased credibility, farmers can also avail agricultural loans to increase their investment and earn more. Many financing companies are enabling farmers to define their lives through timely agricultural loans, such as Netafim agricultural financing company.

It helps reduce environmental and ecological impacts

The techniques used in digital farming, such as geospatial information and sensors, help farmers use the required amount of nutrients, agrochemicals, and fertilisers. This practice helps maximise the yield and reduce the environmental and ecological impacts. Digital farming also uses a high-resolution geopositioning system (GPS) and geographic information systems (GIS) to collect real-time data. The accurate information collected can generate high-resolution images of the fields to automate nutrient and pesticides application. The reduced use of pesticides protects water bodies and the aquatic life balancing the ecological system.

All In One Digital Farming Solution – NetBeat

If you are looking to adopt digital farming, here is an all-in-one irrigation solution that helps you save cost, increase yield through sustainable ways, meet the increasing food demand, and earn more income.

NetBeat is the first digital farming solution that enables farmers to automate irrigation, fertigation, and crop protection. It allows you to monitor with ease, analyse, and control your irrigation from anywhere. NetBeat is the first intelligent irrigation system. It is an excellent modern-day solution for advanced corporate farms to smallholders with flexible budgets, and you can upgrade as you grow. NetBeat is developed by experts who have years of expertise in agronomics so that farmers can enjoy and reap the benefits of digital farming. With all the accurate and real-time information in the palm, one can take complete control of the farm and make informed decisions.

Farmers can make the most of NetBeat, drive deep and valuable insights and turn them into one’s favour with automation and optimisation. It optimises your yield and saves costs, and increases income flow in all seasons. With NetBeat, you can generate daily irrigation strategies personalised for your crops to make the right decisions. Any farmer can use it with ease as the interface is user-friendly and straightforward; it is as simple as using social media. NetBeat is developed with the best in the industry professionals from 8 different countries to equip farmers with the best solution to cope with all the farming challenges and make a better living. NetBeat is here to revolutionise how Indian farmers cultivate crops, and it is the solution for all their woes.

Conclusion

Adopting digital farming is a win-win situation for increasing farmers’ income, meeting the increasing demand for food, sustainable farming, and whatnot. Therefore, now is the time for farmers of India to take a leap and adopt advanced technology to catch up with the pace of other countries that are reaping the benefits of digital farming. You can also apply for an agricultural loan to suffice your requirement and start a journey of fulfiling life through sustainable farming methods. NetBeat is here to assist you in your irrigation to take it to the next level by optimising your yield and reducing cost