The Industrial Revolution made farming more efficient. But it also brought about the painful demise of the previous economic model. As technology advanced it allowed harvesting to be done more quickly but at the expense of the labor pool. The loss of jobs as a result of innovations in farming has become a common trend ever since.
At the same time, the way the demand for agricultural exports operates has changed too. Today, the global exchange of agricultural goods is done with an ease and speed that would’ve been unimaginable in bygone eras. But this too has often placed a new pressure on farmers.
Technology Advancements Boosting the Revolutions of Farming
Some have benefited—and benefited massively from such a change—as farms that produce world-class “clean and green” goods now have a truly international market to export to. But for those who sell more routine goods, or find the international market has saturated their domestic audience with the same products they sell, the path to maintaining a steady profit year in and year out has become much harder.
It’s expected the survival of farming as a viable career and economic model will have growing urgency, locally and globally. It is here that solar could be such an important element going forward.
Solar as a savior?
Solar agriculture allows farmers to install solar panels that offer to use their energy more efficient, and directly enhance their capabilities. For farmers with small tracts of land especially solar agriculture provides a way to offset energy bills, reduce their use of fossil fuels, and breathe new life into existing operations.
Adjusting to other emerging technologies
In fairly recognizing the promise solar has for farming in the future, it cannot be overlooked that other technologies arriving on the scene will be a case of history repeating itself. The anticipated growth in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the sector is a key example of this. Although the field of robotics is not yet advanced sufficiently, we are certainly proceeding in that direction.
The forecast ahead
It’s no secret the future of farming will see new threats arise that threaten its survival. This not only owing to the advances of technology, but the impact of climate change. At the same time, technology advances notwithstanding, farming in the future will still require the need for human expertise.
To administrate the farm, make managerial decisions, that AI is just not yet able to do in the same way. What’s more, as the challenges within the international community grow in years ahead as a result of climate change and other factors, the recognition of governments for more support shall grow too. Source: Ed Kennedy
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