Traditional farming methods, for years, have been thought to be the best way to produce food for the population. Although conventional farming has shaped agriculture for many decades, the digital age has transformed the industry. Advancements in technology and machinery have enabled farmers to expand their scale, productivity and speed, leading to greater efficiency.
With the technology available now, the agricultural industry can produce enough food to feed the global population. However, by the year 2050, the population is expected to rise exponentially to about ten billion people. Traditional farming alone cannot provide for that many people, especially if they lose their farmland due to urbanization to house more people.
Some farmers hope to keep their conventional farming methods, while others have moved to a more technological approach to farming. Can technology and traditional farming come together to create a sustainable and secure food supply?
The Rise of Technology in Agriculture
Before technology, farmers relied heavily on traditional methods to produce food for the population. It‘s a more primitive way of food production that involves using natural resources, traditional tools and indigenous knowledge. Half of the world’s population still uses this as their dominant form of farming.
Even though traditional methods are still popular, there has been a shift in agriculture over the past few decades. Environmentalists and farmers started to realize the damage that conventional agriculture can have on the environment.
The massive demand for year-round affordable produce has led to a drop in biodiversity. It has also led to erosion, deforestation and depletion of soil nutrients. The rise of technology in agriculture has, in part, enabled this, though, so the fault isn’t just on traditional agriculture.
The rise of technology in agriculture has enabled more sustainable farming, though, which is necessary to keep future generations from running out of food.
Technology and Traditional Farming Can Come Together
Even though traditional farming and agricultural technology are different farming methods, they have already come together in an effective relationship. Promoters of technological farming have seen how going back to the roots of agriculture can help make farming more efficient. Additionally, traditional farms have been implementing technology to be more productive.
Traditional farming has a lot of opportunities with technological innovations. For example, the conventional tractor, hoes and shovels have been replaced with larger machines and equipment. Even further, those machines are now automated. This allows farmers to monitor better and manage their crops because they’re not wasting time in the tractors. They can further make innovations to speed up production.
On the other hand, technological advancements have unfortunately led to pollution and other environmental issues, as previously mentioned. Farms using technology continue to do so but are looking back on traditional farming for inspiration to be more environmentally friendly. There’s a push for farmers to return to their roots, use fewer natural resources, and truly connect with the earth to produce food.
Beyond machinery includes technologies that can change crop genetics, conserve water, use fewer pesticides, and collect data about crops and livestock. These up-and-coming technologies allow traditional farmers to remain competitive in the global market, enabling them to keep their jobs.
Additionally, traditional farmers have been able to connect with more people through technology. This world relies on technology for connectedness and communication, especially in cities. As a result, they’ve been able to innovate ways to grow food in urban areas that take some ideas of traditional farming and combine them with new technologies, like vertical farming and hydroponics.
Striving for Sustainability in Farming
As technology and traditional farming continue to come together, they must find a balance to strive for sustainability. Data-driven technologies and innovations will heavily influence the future of agriculture. Still, the technological world must remember the traditional farming methods that got them to where they are today.
Education is critical for farmers, whether they use technology or not. Adopting appropriate technology for sustainable agricultural systems is essential as the global population grows.
