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Indian Journal of Natural Sciences www.tnsroindia.org.in ©IJONS
Vol.13 / Issue 71 / April / 2022 International Bimonthly (Print) ISSN: 0976 – 0997
40287
Yashoda
Role of Digital Technology in Agriculture
Chitrasena Padhy1*, M. Devender Reddy2, Rabindra Kumar Raj3 andKalee Prasanna Pattanayak1
1Assistant Professor, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Odisha, India.
2Professor, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Odisha, India.
3Professor, Siksha 'O' Anusandhan (Deemed University), Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
Received: 04 Jan 2022 Revised: 03 Feb 2022 Accepted: 19 Mar 2022
*Address for Correspondence
Chitrasena Padhy
Assistant Professor,
Centurion University of Technology and Management,
Odisha, India.
Email: chitrasenapadhy@cutm.ac.in
This is an Open Access Journal / article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License
(CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the
original work is properly cited. All rights reserved.
Digital agriculture involves the application of digital technology to integrate agricultural output from the
paddock to the consumer. Digital innovations can assist developing countries for overcoming global
poverty and hunger quicker in rural areas. Indoor vertical farming, automation and robotics, livestock
technology, modern greenhouse practices, precision agriculture and artificial intelligence and blockchain
are major technological advancements. Farm equipment is connected to software platforms that capture
on farm data and enable studies of soil and climate conditions in specific location to provide farmers with
guidance regarding seed choice and more precise application of pesticides and fertilizers. Mobile phones
have one of the highest adoption rates of any technology developed within the last century. Digitalisation
will bring consumers and farmers closer together. The extensive information available on plants and
animals makes farming more transparent to consumers. In the long run smart farming will affect
agricultural production.
Keywords: Digital agriculture, innovations, vertical farming, Mobile phones, Digitalisation
INTRODUCTION
The world is being increasingly connected as a result of digital technology. At smaller, faster, cheaper and more
efficient way, mobile devices are being used. Many businesses and farmers are receiving assistance in making more
informed decisions. The farmers are being assisted in using more accurate amounts of water, fertilizers and maintain
better control over their operations. Digital technologies make easy many processes such as planning farming
activities, budgeting, reporting and monitoring on multiple tasks and performances. Digital technology is used in
farm machinery, livestock handling facilities, agronomy, communication and other areas [1]. Agriculture is at the
ABSTRACT
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Indian Journal of Natural Sciences www.tnsroindia.org.in ©IJONS
Vol.13 / Issue 71 / April / 2022 International Bimonthly (Print) ISSN: 0976 – 0997
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start of a new revolution, one in which data and connectivity will play a key role. Artificial intelligence, analytics,
connected sensors, and other advanced technologies have the potential to increase yields, enhance the efficiency of
water and other inputs. These can help for building sustainability and resilience across crop cultivation and animal
husbandry [2].Digital farming technologies include the application of sensors, automation, and robots in production
systems ([3].; [4].).
Digital Agriculture-Requirement of the present time
Remote sensing data on soil conditions can help farmers manage their crop [5]. Mobile phones lower the cost of
information and improve farmers’ access to markets and financial assistance [6]. Entrepreneurs in Africa are
interested in how farmers operate and how they may increase output. The barrier of entry into farming technology
has decreased as cloud computing, computing systems, connectivity, open-source software, and other digital tools
are more affordable and accessible. Farmers, investors and entrepreneurs can use digital technology to improve
efficiency of food production and consumption in Africa. From precision farming to a more efficient food supply
chain, technology has the potential to bring major economic, social and environmental benefits [7].Digital agriculture
involves the application of digital technology to integrate agricultural production from the paddock to the costumer.
Agricultural industries can benefit from these technologies by more tools and information to make better decisions
and increase productivity [8]. In rural areas of developing countries where majority of people rely on agriculture for
their living, digital technology can assist for overcoming global poverty and hunger more quickly. In digital
agriculture, farmers use mobile phones and other technologies that could revolutionise for the communities to secure
and improve their livelihoods [9].It is required more productive, efficient, sustainable, inclusive, transparent and
resilient food systems for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goal of a ‘world with zero hunger’ by 2030
[10].
Digital skills and people who are capable of using digital devices, comprehending outputs and developing
programmes and applications are in high demand as a result of digitalisation. Basic literacy, numeracy, data
handling and communication skills are required. Education must improve quickly in areas where skills are low [11].
Indoor vertical farming, automation and robotics, livestock technology, modern greenhouse practices, precision
agriculture and artificial intelligence and blockchain have been all major technological advancements in the space.
Indoor vertical farming has the potential to increase crop yields, overcome land constraints and shorten supply chain
distances. Vertical farms use up to 70% less water than traditional farms [12]. Mobile phones are at the top of the list
of digital technologies revolutionising agriculture. They have the highest rates of adoption of any technology
developed within the last century. As of 2019, Almost 5.2 billion people- two thirds of the world’s populations were
current active users of mobile phones. Mobile internet is also on the rise, with 49 per cent of the world’s population
having utilised internet services on a mobile device. Only 9 per cent of the world’s population lives outside of a
mobile network’s coverage region. Many rural people’s lives including the small scale farmers have been
revolutionised by mobile phones. Farmers may access solutions, such as advisory services that offer ideas on raising
outputs, keeping livestock healthy and up-to-date weather information even if they do not have access to mobile
internet. Farmers may even access wider choice of high-tech solutions via smart phone applications which can
diagnose ailing crops and recommend remedies for many types of pests, diseases and nutrient deficiencies [13].
Precision agriculture technologies are transforming the face of modern farming. Digital advancements such as
wireless communication, data analytics, and data-driven genome editing, are rapidly being applied in agriculture as
they provide more accuracy in decision making and practice. Farm equipment is connected to software platforms
that track on-farm data and enable analysis of soil and climate conditions. Agricultural genome makes use of big
data generated from computer assisted genomic mapping to determine edits to the DNA of living organisms which
promise a more accurate way to modify a plant’s genetic code to express new traits for improving crop production
[14]. Consumers and farmers will be closer together due to digitalisation. Consumers can learn about plants and
animals that will make farming more transparent. In the long run smart farming will affect agricultural production
[15].
Chitrasena Padhy
et al.,
Indian Journal of Natural Sciences www.tnsroindia.org.in ©IJONS
Vol.13 / Issue 71 / April / 2022 International Bimonthly (Print) ISSN: 0976 – 0997
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Initiatives
The Government of India in 2015 announced the Digital India Programme which aims to transform India’s public
service sector into the digital space. Agriculture is the largest employment vertical with a GDP share of 14% plays an
important role in this digital effort. Due to mechanisation and knowledge dissemination programmes, India has
witnessed a substantial increase in yields and crop diversification. But consumption is increasing due to population
explosion and rising income. The Indian Government has launched a number of initiatives. IIT Kharagpur is
educating the farming community through training and putting on outreach events [16].Researchers at MIT have
found a promising method for protecting seeds from water shortage stress during their crucial germination phase
and additionally providing the plants with more nutrition at the same time [17]. Researchers at the Singapore-MIT
Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) and Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory (TLL) have designed a
portable optical sensor which can reveal whether a plant is under stress. This device helps as a new tool for early
analysis and real time monitoring of plant health in field conditions [18].
CONCLUSION
Agriculture is made up of a series of complex interconnected processes. It should be organised into efficient stages to
ensure a good yield. A triangle formed by the farmer, technology and the service and consulting concept will
determine the success of a given product [19]. Agriculture like other areas in the economy will be digitised in the
future. Government should spend time and financial resources for socialising the digitisation benefits
[20].Inadequatet connectivity in rural areas, high service charges, and a lack of basic computer literacy and
understanding are obstacles for the quick development of e-agriculture. Physical infrastructure, power, broadband
and transportation all require substantial investment [21].
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