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INTRODUCTION

Our current trajectory with food is not sustainable. The worlds population will
climb to over 9 billion in the coming years, with nearly all of the growth
occurring in less developed parts of the world where agricultural productivity is
relatively low, such as Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.

This population boom will be accompanied by increased strains on our food
supply and resources, causing increased pressure on already delicate political
and ecological systems, as well as threats to global security.

To feed our ballooning population, global food production must increase by an
estimated 70 percent, and almost double in developing countries.2 Moreover,
we will need to address both undernutrition and overnutrition, which contribute
to poor health outcomes and impose significant costs on our society. As a result,
the need has never been greater for innovative solutions that will lead to
significant improvements in our food and nutritional security, including greater
investment in science and technology.

For years, scientific and technological advancements have benefited farmers in
the industrialized world by driving agriculture production. However,
smallholder farmers who are responsible for 80 percent of the food in the
developing world have yet to see similar gains. These farmers, the majority of
whom are women, lack access to many of the tools needed to be successful,
such as modern irrigation practices, crop management products, fertilizers,
postharvest loss solutions, improved seeds, mobile technology, as well as access
to information and extension services.

Through these tools and through much greater investment in agriculture, we can
move toward more sustainably curbing global hunger and malnutrition around
the world by dramatically increasing productivity yields, conserving food by
substantially reducing postharvest losses and food wastage, giving farmers
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access to real-time information and services in the field, and even improving the
nutritional content of foods. As a result, broader use of and investment in
sciencebased
technologies can enable:

Improved livelihoods of farmers and their families by producing more
and higher
quality crops for a growing population;

Enhanced nutritional value and safety of food to improve the health and
wellbeing
of people around the world; and

Agriculture sustainability through reduced resource use.

We must imminently work to meet global food demand through science-based
innovation that reaches farmers, particularly smallholder farmers, around the
world. Nearly every industry has experienced scientific advancements that have
led to profound achievements, and in many cases, have enabled us to solve
some of the globes biggest challenges. Innovation in the agricultural industry
offers a similar promise of improving farmers lives, feeding and nourishing
more of
our population, and consequently, improving the political, ecological, and
economic stability of our world.






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BACKGROUND

By 2050, the worlds population will exceed 9 billion people a projected
growth of more than 30 percent and amounting to an estimated 2.3 billion more
people to feed. To put this in perspective, consider that we will need to produce
the same amount of food over the next four decades that we produced over the
past 8,000 years.5 And, we already use the equivalent of a planet and a half of
resources.6 Consequently, farmers need access to seeds that use fewer resources
and that are better for the environment, as well as other tools and agronomic
practices
that enable us to produce more with less.

We face other obstacles as well. The food system of the future will look
different than it does today. People are increasingly moving away from where
food is grown and are less aware of how it is grown. By 2050, an estimated 70
percent of people will be living in urban areas, creating the need for processing
and storage technology, sound infrastructure, efficient distribution channels, and
open trade policies.

The uneven distribution of arable land around the globe means that farmers will
need to freely and efficiently move food and access markets to be
successful. And, climate change and increasing weather volatility will drive
demand for new seed technology adapted for harsher conditions and stressed
land.

However, there are many barriers impeding the adoption of these tools,
including a lack of uniform and consistent regulatory frameworks and
intellectual property protections, the inability of smallholder farmers to access
financing and capital to invest in technology that will improve their yields, as
well as a general lack of understanding of the positive role that science and
technology can play in agriculture and food.

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Despite these challenges, agricultural technology has played a central role in
overcoming food security challenges in the past. The 20th Century marked a
time of significant public investments in scientific research that contributed to
historical increases in food production.

Coined the Green Revolution, Norman Borlaugs discoveries contributed to
historical increases in food production during a time of widespread hunger and
malnutrition.

For example, the adoption of high-yielding varieties of rice and wheat, the
expansion of irrigation infrastructure, and the use of other inputs more than
doubled cereal production in Asia between 1970 and 1995. As yields increased,
farmers quickly adopted these technologies, resulting in increased profitably and
incomes.

By 1995, real per capita income nearly doubled in Asia and poverty declined
from nearly three out of every five to less than one in three. Meeting global food
needs will demand another era of widespread adoption of innovative science-
based solutions, but one that addresses vastly more complex issues and
improves upon the Green Revolution, including environmental and ecological
considerations, nutrient deficiencies, and food wastage.

We must approach the challenges of this century in a comprehensive way,
mindful of the value and limitations of each of the tools available to us. If the
world is to produce the amount of food necessary to feed more than 9 billion
people in a way that considers nutritional needs and resource scarcity, that
enables us to grow food in the face of global climate change, and that improves
the livelihoods of farmers globally, the adoption of technological advancements
in our food and agricultural system is necessary to achieve that goal.



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THE PROMISE OF SCIENCE-BASED SOLUTIONS


Science-based agricultural tools hold great promise for tackling the worlds
growing population and food demands. From improved seeds, to modern crop
protection solutions, to mobile technology for farmers in the fields, to making
foods fresher, safer, and healthier along the food chain, the agricultural and food
system of the future can be more productive, more sustainable, more efficient,
and more interconnected. Greater investment in and broader adoption of science
and technology can enable the world to meet the growing demand for food as
the population increases by
(1) improving the livelihoods of farmers and their families by producing more
and higher quality crops for a growing population;
(2) enhancing the nutritional value and safety of food to improve the health and
wellbeing of people around the world; and
(3) contributing to agriculture sustainability through reduced resource use.




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Improving the Livelihoods of Farmers and their Families by
Producing More and Higher Quality Crops for a Growing
Population

Closing the current gap in agricultural productivity will require a significant
increase in agricultural yields around the world. This will require seeds that
enable crops to withstand environmental and biological stresses, crop protection
solutions, modern irrigation practices, mobile technology, fertilizer, and
mechanization.

Plant Breeding

Plant breeding, the science of optimizing a plants genetic makeup to produce
desired characteristics, can be accomplished through a number of techniques,
including hybridization and more complex molecular techniques. Through plant
breeding techniques, we can produce higher yielding crops that are better in
quality, tolerant to environmental pressures, resistant to pests and diseases, and
tolerant to insecticides and herbicides.





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Hybridization

Hybridization is a tool that farmers have used to develop high-yielding seeds
since the early 1900s. Hybridization involves crossing two or more crop lines to
produce hybrid crops with more favourable traits, resulting from combining
genes from the selected parents. Compared to open-pollinated varieties, hybrid
seeds, when combined with plant breeding techniques, can increase some crop
yields by as much as 50 to 100 percent, and provide more tolerance to diseases,
pests, and environmental stresses.

Since the introduction of hybrid corn in the U.S., farmers around the world have
increasingly planted hybrid seeds, including corn, sorghum, canola, sunflower,
and rice, because of its ability to produce higher yielding, stronger crops. Today,
approximately 95 percent of all corn grown in the U.S. is from hybrid seed and
hybrid seeds are sold in nearly 70 countries around the world.






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Molecular Marker-Assisted Selection

Molecular markers are small sequence differences between various lines in a
plant breeding population that can be used, when physically linked to traits, as a
surrogate for the presence or absence of a desired trait without having to field
test for the attributes of that trait. Molecular markers are detected through DNA
sequencing methods using DNA derived from plant samples.

The practice of molecular marker-assisted selection enables plant breeders to
combine desirable plant traits rapidly and in large numbers. Through this
technique, breeders can reduce the time it takes to develop some new crop
varieties. Additionally, it increases the efficiency of plant breeding by enabling
breeders to genetically pre-screen multitudes of potential varieties with high
precision prior to selecting lines or hybrids with the highest genetic potential for
costly field evaluation.

Consequently, this technique is an increasingly common breeding technique in
crops where marker systems have been developed and marker-trait associations
have been established. Genetic markers are also being used to monitor and
increase genetic diversity in breeding programs. Diversified crop varieties
protect farmers, including smallholders in food insecure
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countries, from being vulnerable to widespread disease and environmental
stresses that impact certain varieties.

Agricultural Biotechnology

Plant breeders use agricultural biotechnology as another source of genetic
variation to produce superior crops with improved yields, while requiring fewer
inputs. The products of this technology have been widely used by farmers for
over a decade in varieties of corn, cotton, soybeans, and canola. Biotechnology
expands the genes available for crop improvement beyond those present in the
breeding populations and uses the tools of genetic transformation to bring
specific genes to the genetic makeup of the plant. To date, this method has been
used to enable crops to tolerate insects, viral diseases, certain herbicides,
produce grain with improved nutritional quality, and resist stresses caused by
extreme weather.


These desired characteristics result in significant productivity gains. During
2011, over 16 million farmers in 29 countries chose to plant 160 million
hectares of biotechnology crops.

Ninety percent, or 15 million of those farmers, were small resource-poor
farmers in developing countries.13 And, in 2010 alone, the economic benefits
from biotechnology crops for developing countries reached $7.7 billion in U.S.
dollars.
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Despite the promise of this technology, European governments and some non-
governmental organizations (NGOs) have been less open to embracing
biotechnologys benefits. While this sentiment is diminishing due in part to
input from European scientists, it has had a broader influence on the developing
world. While embraced in much of Latin America, other countries in the
developing world have been less willing to adopt these technologies, impacting
the ability of farmers, particularly smallholders, to access the tools needed to
increase yields and improve
their livelihoods.

Crop Protection Solutions

Advances in crop protection have been a powerful tool in combating the pests,
diseases, and weeds that can be devastating to crop yields. In total, food crops
compete with tens of thousands of species of weeds, nematodes, and plant-
eating insects.

As a result, even with crop protection products, 20 to 40 percent of food crops
are lost each year to pests. These losses occur not only in the fields, but during
storage and in the home.


Through the use of crop protection products, which include chemical (e.g.,
insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides) and non-chemical tools (e.g., biological
pest control and barrierbased approaches), farmers have significantly curbed
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these losses and increased their productivity yields.These tools enable farmers
to produce more crops with less land, making cthem critical to ensuring a
reliable food supply.

Other Technologies

Beyond improved seeds and crop protection tools, other technologies enable
farmers to increase their productivity, such as modern irrigation practices,
mobile technology, fertilizer, and mechanization. Over the years, irrigated land
has proven to be twice as productive as rainfed farmland.

This will be particularly important in the coming decades given that an
estimated 1.8 billion people will live in water scarce regions by 2025. Similarly,
mobile technology can enable farmers to increase their yields by connecting
them through text messages and help lines to agricultural market information,
best practices, and extension services designed to meet their localized needs.

Fertilizers have also contributed to doubling and tripling crop yields, supplying
crops with the essential nutrients missing from soil, as well as facilitating the
more efficient use of land and water.

And, with advances in mechanization, farmers can more efficiently tend to their
crops and produce more with less manpower. Today, farmers are even using
precision farming solutions, such as global positioning system (GPS)
technology, to increase yields while using fewer inputs, leading to estimated
productivity gains of 10 percent and an average input savings of 15 percent.





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Enhancing the Nutritional Value and Safety of Food to Improve
the Health and Wellbeing of People around the World

Technological advancements in food and agriculture are making it possible to
improve the health and wellbeing of millions of people worldwide.
Malnutrition, defined as both under nutrition and over nutrition, impacts roughly
1 billion men, women, and children. Approximately one in seven people go to
bed hungry worldwide23 and under nutrition is linked to the deaths of one out
of every three children under the age of five in the developing world.

Meanwhile, in 2008, over 1.4 billion adults were overweight or obese and an
estimated 65 percent of the worlds population lives in countries where over
nutrition takes more lives than under nutrition. Consequently, a critical
component of global food security will be ensuring not only the production of
more calories, but enhancing the nutritional content and health profile of the
food the world consumes. As people increasingly migrate to urban areas and
away from where food is grown, fortifying processed food will be particularly
important
.
In regions of severe under nutrition, such as Sub-Saharan Africa and South
Asia, innovative public-private partnerships are being used to increase the
nutritional content of food through the bio fortification of indigenous crops. In
Kenya and Nigeria, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is supporting the
Donald Danforth Plant Science Centre and partners to develop cassava varieties
through bio fortification that will be higher in beta carotene, which the body
converts to vitamin A, protein, and iron.

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) has taken on the
fortification of foods and condiments, such as maize, flour, sugar, soy sauce,
and vegetable oil in 19 countries with vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
Through these programs, neural tube defects fell by 30 percent after folic acid
was incorporated into maize meal and wheat flour in South Africa.27 In China,
data has shown that anemia was reduced by an estimated one-third following the
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fortification of soy sauce with iron. Enriching these staples and other indigenous
crops will save and improve the lives of millions of children and adults.

Foods can also be made healthier through the incorporation of ingredient
solutions such as proteins, fibers, and cultures providing, for example,
cardiovascular and digestive health benefits. In addition, food manufacturers are
able to reduce the fat, sugar, caloric, and salt content of foods with the use of
enabling ingredients such as emulsifiers, stabilizers, and reduced-calorie
sweeteners. It is also possible to increase the fibre and phytonutrient content of
food through enzyme processing. Science and technology can lead to ingredient
solutions that have the potential to impact both undernourishment and the
increasing rates of obesity and Diabetes worldwide
.
Beyond making the food we eat better, advances in science enable us to
preserve foods longer, improving food safety. Nearly one third of the worlds
food approximately 1.3 billion tons is lost or wasted each year.29 In the
developing world, a third of food is lost at the production, harvest, post-harvest,
and processing phases due to a lack of adequate storage and processing
facilities. By contrast, one-third of food in developed countries is wasted by
retailers and consumers at the table and in the refrigerator. However, through
natural and bio-based ingredients, such as enzymes, cultures, plant extracts, and
new preservation techniques, we can reduce food wastage and spoilage
significantly in regions without adequate storage and processing facilities, as
well as extend the shelf life of food wasted in the industrialized world.

For example, emulsifiers and enzymes can be added to bread to keep it fresh for
several more days and protective cultures can be added to dairy products to
allow them to withstand elevated temperatures and humidity.





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Contributing to Agriculture Sustainability through Reduced
Resource Use

Agricultures footprint on our ecosystem is substantial. In fact, agriculture
consumes 70 percent of our worlds water for the irrigation of crops.30
However; advancements in agriculture technology are an important contributor
to a more sustainable agriculture system that promotes continuous improvement
and less resource use. Scientists are developing seeds that are better adapted for
volatile climates and that are drought resistant, as well as technology that uses
less water and improves upon modern irrigation practices. Investment in
agricultural innovation is necessary to enable the world to produce more food
with fewer resources and less land.

Already, agricultural biotechnology has led to reductions in fossil fuel use, soil
tillage, water runoff, and pesticides, all of which are critical to sustainable
agriculture. Through more targeted crop protection products, farmers are able to
reduce pesticide applications by significant amounts. From 1996 to 2009, global
pesticide applications decreased by nearly 9 percent, eliminating 867 million
pounds of pesticide applications.32 Agriculture technology, such as herbicide
resistant crops, has also driven the adoption of no-till farming, resulting in
improved
soil health and conservation, decreased soil erosion, and decreased herbicide
runoff.

On average, no-till agriculture results in 70 percent less herbicide runoff, 93
percent less erosion, and 69 percent less water runoff. Greenhouse gas
emissions are also improved through advances in agriculture technology. No-till
farming allows for less agricultural machinery on fields, which results in a
substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, no-till farming
has led to a reduction in the carbon footprint of crops by reducing the use of
diesel fuel in tending to these crops while increasing the amount of carbon
maintained in the soil.35 In 2009, these crops contributed to a reduction of 39
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billion pounds of carbon dioxide, equalling the removal of 7.8 million cars from
the roads in one year.

There is also the opportunity for more efficient livestock production. The impact
of livestock production on resource use and the environment will grow as the
consumption of meat, milk, and egg products increases. Feed ingredients, such
as feed enzymes, direct-fed microbial, and silage inoculants can all contribute to
improved efficiency of converting cereals, legumes, or forage to meat, milk, and
egg products and in reducing the associated output of nitrogen and phosphorous
into the environment. Plant-based proteins will be needed as a less resource
intensive human food protein source as the population grows and the demand
for meat, milk, and egg products increases along with rising incomes, especially
in developing countries.

EMBRACING SCIENCE-BASED TECHNOLOGIES

While technology has a pivotal role to play in achieving global food security,
overcoming barriers to acceptance remains difficult. Given the magnitude of our
challenge, the global community must think beyond single solution approaches
to feeding the world and give farmer the choice and access to all the tools that
can boost productivity safely and sustainably.


Realizing that no tool will be perfect, agricultural technology provides one of
the best opportunities to address world hunger. It will be critical to engage in
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meaningful stakeholder dialogue on the challenges and benefits of technology
and the variety of tools available, on the gaps we face and what tools and
investments are needed, and the way in which regions can foster an environment
that unleashes innovation.

Stakeholder Dialogue and Partnerships

Meeting global food demand will require innovative partnerships and an open
and collaborative dialogue among stakeholders. The global community should
build upon the common goal of tackling world hunger and malnutrition and
move beyond disagreements about whether any one tool is best to get there,
because no single tool will solve a problem of this magnitude. It will take new
partnerships between the public and private sector, NGOs, governments, and the
development community that drive a broad spectrum of advancements in
agriculture and nutrition.

All Tools on the Table

Farmers know what is best for them and their land, and should have the ability
to choose the tools and technologies that are right for them and the markets they
serve, whether it be organic practices using conventionally bred varieties, hybrid
seeds, or biotechnology. Typically, farmers want access to the tools and
technologies that will provide them with the best chance of increased yields and
success. When given the choice and the financing tools for investment, farmers
often choose science-based agricultural technology, such as higher-yielding
crop varieties as an alternative to saving seeds each year.

In the U.S. alone, 80 percent of corn, 92 percent of soybeans, and 86 percent of
cotton planted are biotechnology varieties.37 Other countries, such as China,
Argentina, India, Canada, and Brazil have similarly embraced science-based
technologies. Moreover, in every country where improved crop varieties have
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been planted, farmers increased their incomes in 2009, by as much as $10.8
billion worldwide.


38 Farmers deserve the opportunity to embrace any one of the available
agricultural tools and practices to meet the food demands of their families,
communities, and the world.


An Environment that Unleashes Innovation

Finally, the global community must create an environment that unleashes
innovation to improve agriculture globally. The investment required to bring
agricultural technology products to market is substantial. For biotechnology
products, development to approval takes anywhere from twelve to twenty years
and up to $150 million for each product. Similarly, crop protection products can
take as long as ten years and up to $250 million.

Consequently, private sector investment in innovative technologies requires
policies and science-based regulatory frameworks that support technology
adoption, as well as strong intellectual property protections. Other factors also
play a role in agriculture investment. Governance practices influence the ability
of organizations to invest in improved agriculture in developing regions.
Infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, ports, and railways, is also essential for
farmers to be successful and for private sector investment. In addition, the
availability of financing, capital, and insurance enable farmers to make longer
term investments in their land. Finally, local governments must invest in their
own agriculture sectors to contribute to the success of their farmers.

The commitment of governments in developing nations will be key to bring
science-based tools to the smallholder farmers who need them most.

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Technology has played a big role in developing the agricultural industry. Today
it is possible to grow crops in a desert by use of agricultural biotechnology.
With this technology, plants have been engineered to survive in drought
conditions. Through genetic engineering scientists have managed to introduce
traits into existing genes with a goal of making crops resistant to droughts and
pests.

Lets take a good example.

A bacterium known as Bacillus Thuringiensis acts like a reservoir , it
enables crops to be insect-resistant , so these genetically modified crops will
grow without any interference from pests. The invention of this technology is
being used in developing countries to grow cash crops like cotton, since this
genetically engineered cotton plants are pest resistant, they grow better than the
normal cotton plants hence yielding good results.

Mobile apps used by a farmer to calculate the amount of grass available in the
field. This saves the farmer time and money, they will know how much is left
and what to feed their animals. Technology has turned farming into a real
business, now farmers have electrified every process, a consumer can place an
order directly online, and the product will be transported from the farm to the
consumer in time when its still fresh. This saves the farmer money and it cuts
out mediators who tend to buy low from farmers and sell high to end
consumers. Every farmer uses this technology in their own way. Some use it to
create fertilizers, others use it to market their products, and others use it in
production. So as a farmer, you have to specify what you need.




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Technology in agriculture:


Use of machines on farms:

Now a farmer can cultivate on more than 2 acres of land with less labor. The use
of planters and harvesters makes the process so easy. In agriculture, time and
production are so important; you have to plant in time, harvest in time and
deliver to stores in time. Modern agricultural technology allows a small number
of people to grow vast quantities of food and fiber in a shortest period of time.

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Modern transportation:

This helps in making products available on markets in time from the farm. With
modern transportation, consumers in Dubai will consume a fresh carrots from
Africa with in the same day that carrot lives the garden in Africa. Modern
transportation technology facilities help farmers easily transport fertilizers or
other farm products to their farms, and it also speeds the supply of agricultural
products from farms to the markets where consumers get them on a daily basis.


Cooling facilities:

These are used buy farmers to deliver tomatoes and other perishable crops to
keep them fresh as they transport them to the market. These cooling facilities
are installed in food transportation trucks, so crops like tomatoes will stay fresh
upon delivery. This is a win-win situation for both the consumers of these
agricultural products and the farmers. How? the consumers gets these products
while still fresh and the farmer will sell all their products because the demand
will be high.
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Genetically produced plants like potatoes, can resist diseases and pests,
which rewards the farmer with good yields and saves them time. These crops
grow very fast they produce healthy yields. Since they are resistant to most
diseases and pests, the farmer will spend less money on pesticides, which in
return increases on their (RIO) return on investment.

Development of animal feeds:
This has solved the problem of hunting for grass to feed animals, now these
feeds can be manufactured and consumed by animals. The price of these feed is
fair so that a low income farmer can afford them. Most of these manufactured
animal feeds have extra nutrition which improve on the animals health and the
out put of these animals will also increase. In agriculture , the health of an
animal will determine its output. Poorly feed animals are always unhealthy and
they produce very little results in form of milk, meet , or fur.

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Breeding of animals which are resistant to diseases:

Most of these genetically produced animals will produce more milk or fur
compared to normal animals. This benefits the farmer because their production
will be high. Cross breeding is very good in animal grazing, cross breed animals
are more strong and productive.

Irrigation of plants:

In dry areas like deserts, farmers have embraced technology to irrigate their
crops. A good example is in Egypt, were farmers use water pumps to collect
water from river Nile to their crops. Most of these farmers grow rice which
needs a lot of water, so they manage to grow this rice using irrigation methods
enhanced by advanced technology. Advanced water sprinklers are being used to
irrigate big farms and this helps the crops get enough water which is essential in
their growth. Some farmers mix nutrients in this water, so also improves on the
growth of these crops.







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Information Technology and Agriculture

Information technology is utilizing computers along with telecommunication
equipment for the storage, retrieval, transmission, and manipulation of data,
among other tasks, which are aimed to improve the efficiency of different
sectors. With the advancement of IT, other sectors benefit from it as well since
it can be used as a tool for improving efficiency and overall productivity.

Successful integration of IT in different sectors has made it possible for people
in the IT industry to make changes which can help other sectors, such as
agriculture, as well. While people may be thinking that IT applications are only
limited to those which make use of modern gadgets, or those who focus on
numbers and such, the agricultural sector and its production may also benefit
from it.









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The Importance of Agriculture

Agriculture is a major sector which is vital for the survival of modern man.
Plants are the producers in the food chain, and without them, the life cycle
would just not be possible. Agricultural produce, though highly perishable
compared to other food sources, is essential for survival. Crops are used to
produce several food sources by themselves or through by-products such as
bread, powders, organic additives to other goods and the like.

The produce from agriculture drives trade from one country to another, brings
income for farmers, makes productive use of otherwise idle land, and brings
food on the table. It is such an important part of everyones daily life, although
it may not be seen as a direct factor since the produce goes a long way before
reaching the hands of everyone who benefits from it. Because of its importance
to society, it is but a must to evolve with the times and adjust to meet the needs
of modern people. By adapting and making use of IT to help improve
agricultural progress, everyone benefits from the union of these sectors.





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Global Impact of IT on Agriculture

IT has become a bridge for people from all over the world. You may be asking
yourself, what is the importance of this when it comes to agriculture?
Agriculture may be seen as a craft which has been handed down from
generation to generation from the very first men who learned how to plow the
fields and grow their own crops. Techniques and secrets for efficiency and
increased yields are also part of the knowledge passed on from one generation
to another.

Agricultural practices and advancements differ globallysince plants have their
own differences and the location plays a role on their development as well. But
through the exchange of knowledge from different agriculturally-involved
individuals from all over the world, improvement of techniques can be
experienced as well. It has made an impact on how information is shared, and
being able to use this information for the advancement of the agricultural sector
gives a great positive impact that is beneficial for everyone.




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IT and Agriculture

Upon first glance, it may be challenging to see how such different sectors may
work together. Agriculture has been around since men first learned to tend to his
own crops and not depend on what just grows where he goes. IT, on the other
hand, is a much younger advancement that man has developed. Hand in hand,
IT and agriculture can make progress more visible, sharable, and measurable
which are highly beneficial for all who are engaged in it.

Traditional agriculture still makes its presence felt in todays production of
goods since the foundations of agriculture is a pillar which cannot be removed
from all processes required to grow crops. However, with continued research
and the collaboration of great agricultural minds from all over the world,
improving crops and eventually the yields from the usual strategy is definitely
a positive result that all producers would like.



Since IT encompasses a lot of disciplines, it can also be successfully integrated
to many different sectors to help them become more efficient and productive. It
may take some getting used to, but when IT is successfully integrated to
agriculture, it helps a great deal and can definitely contribute to positive changes
that farmers can prove with the growth of their output.


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The Effects of IT on Agriculture

IT has made its way into the agricultural sector, and with positive results. To
name a few, here are some of its effects:

Improved decision making By having the necessary information,
farmersbig and small can make better and more informed decision concerning
their agricultural activities. May it be about who to get their grains from or
perhaps who to sell it to, the communication channels that information
technology brings makes production up to distribution easier for the farmers.
The exchange of knowledge from various countries and organization also helps
farmers be more aware of factors to consider before making their decisions.

Better planning IT has paved the way to come up with farming software
which can keep better track of crops, predict yields, when to best plant and what
to plant, to intercrop or focus on just one product, or determine the current need
of the cropsjust about everything needed to improve production and income.
By adjusting to the modern farming methodologies, farmers can have better
control of their crops. Gaining information from their farm is essential in
sustaining its success and fueling further growth.



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Community involvement There are several programs which are made
possible by IT applications, and community involvement in agriculture can be
increased as well. When a community adopts modern methods for agriculture,
the production of local goods can be increased. There are some places where
people greatly benefit from the land and their resources for agriculture, and with
IT, there can be improved union in local farmers which can lead to their
communitys overall improved production that may lead to better income for
everyone involved.



Agricultural breakthroughs IT makes the spread of information
concerning the latest agricultural breakthroughs more possible. When scientists
develop new and improved grains or find techniques to help winter crops
become stronger against the cold, farmers from all over the world may benefit
from the same breakthroughs simply by being connected to the rest of the
agricultural world. Sharing information to help everyone progress is made much
easier through resources made available and accessible by IT.

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Agriculture for everyone Farmers have in-depth knowledge when it
comes to their trade. However, interested individuals who may be called
backyard farmers may also benefit from how modern technology has changed
how agriculture is seen. Growing your own sustainable garden of herbs, fruit
trees, and other agricultural produce can be possible in a smaller scale. Planting
is beneficial in more ways than one, and having your own produce even helps
assure the freshness and quality of the food your family eats.



People only have to open their minds to the endless possibilities that
technological advancement can bring to agriculture. Instead of being locked
away with the traditional strategies for planting, why not get involved in new
and improved methods of farming? Todays society can benefit from
agricultural advancements and live sustainable lives by improving the
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production, harvest methods, and distribution of agricultural goods. All of these
effects and more are possible through the successful merge of IT and agriculture
which is why farmers are getting more and more encouraged to take part in this
positive change.



ICT in agriculture

The application of information and communications technology (ICT) in
agriculture is increasingly important.

E-Agriculture is an emerging field focusing on the enhancement of agricultural
and rural development through improved information and communication
processes. More specifically, e-Agriculture involves the conceptualization,
design, development, evaluation and application of innovative ways to use
information and communication technologies (IT) in the rural domain, with a
primary focus on agriculture. E-Agriculture is a relatively new term and we
fully expect its scope to change and evolve as our understanding of the area
grows.

E-Agriculture is one of the action lines identified in the declaration and plan of
action of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). The "Tunis
Agenda for the Information Society," published on 18 November 2005 and
emphasizes the leading facilitating roles that UN agencies need to play in the
implementation of the Geneva Plan of Action. The Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has been assigned the responsibility
of organizing activities related to the action line under C.7 ICT Applications on
E-Agriculture.

The main phases of the agriculture industry include crop cultivation, water
management, fertilizer application, fertigation, pestmanagement, harvesting, pos
t-harvest handling,transport of food products, packaging, food
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preservation, food processing/value addition, quality management, food
safety, food storage, and food marketing.

All stakeholders of agriculture industry need information and knowledge about
these phases to manage them efficiently. Any system applied for getting
information and knowledge for making decisions in any industry should deliver
accurate, complete, concise information in time or on time. The information
provided by the system must be in user-friendly form, easy to access, cost-
effective and well protected from unauthorized accesses.
Record text, drawings, photographs, audio, video, process descriptions, and
other information in digital formats,
Produce exact duplicates of such information at significantly lower cost,
Transfer information and knowledge rapidly over large distances through
communications networks.
Develop standardized algorithms to large quantities of information relatively
rapidly.
Achieve greater interactivity in communicating, evaluating, producing and
sharing useful information and knowledge.
The main focus of this article is to elaborate how the achievements of IT can be
applied in Agriculture sector and its development. The main applications of ICT
in Agriculture sector are listed below.

Office automation

The office automation is application of computers, computer networks,
telephone networks, and other office automation tool such as photocopy
machines, scanners, printers, cleaning equipment, and electronic security
systems to increase the productivity of organizations.

There are many government, private and non-government organizations
involved in agriculture sector and rural development. They all have to work
together to give better service to farming community. Therefore, application of
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office automation is one of the solutions to enhance the efficiency and inter-
connectivity of the employees work in all above mentioned organizations.

Many computer applications such as MS Office, Internet
Explorer, OpenOffice.org and other tailor-made office automation
software packages are providing unlimited potential to organizations and
individuals to fulfill their day to day data processing requirements to give an
efficient service to their customers.
Wireless technologies

Wireless technologies have numerous applications in agriculture. One major
usage is the simplification of closed-circuit television camera systems; the use
of wireless communications eliminates the need for the installation of coaxial
cables.
Global Positioning System


GPS Receivers

In agriculture, the use of the Global Positioning System provides benefits
in geo-fencing, map-making and surveying. GPS receivers dropped in price over
the years, making it more popular for civilian use. With the use of GPS,
civilians can produce simple yet highly accurate digitized map without the help
of a professional cartographer.
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In Kenya, for example, the solution to prevent an elephant bull from wandering
into farms and destroying precious crops was to tag the elephant with a device
that sends a text message when it crosses a geo-fence. Using the technology
of SMS and GPS, the elephant can roam freely and the authorities are alerted
whenever it is near the farm.

Geographic information systems

Geographic information system s, or GIS, are extensively used in agriculture,
especially in precision farming. Land is mapped digitally, and pertinent geodetic
data such as topography and contours are combined with other statistical data
for easier analysis of the soil. GIS is used in decision making such as what to
plant and where to plant using historical data and sampling.
Computer-controlled devices (automated systems)


DeLaval milking station

Automatic milking systems are computer controlled stand alone systems that
milk the dairy cattle without human labor. The complete automation of the
milking process is controlled by an agricultural robot, a complex herd
management software, and specialized computers. Automatic milking
eliminates the farmer from the actual milking process, allowing for more time
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for supervision of the farm and the herd. Farmers can also improve herd
management by using the data gathered by the computer. By analyzing the
effect of various animal feedson milk yield, farmers may adjust accordingly to
obtain optimal milk yields. Since the data is available down to individual level,
each cow may be tracked and examined, and the farmer may be alerted when
there are unusual changes that could mean sickness or injuries.
RFID



Swiss cow ear with eartag and RFID

The Veterinary Department of Malaysia's Ministry of Agriculture introduced a
livestock-tracking program in 2009 to track the estimated 80,000 cattle all
across the country. Each cattle is tagged with the use of RFID technology for
easier identification, providing access to relevant data such as: bearer's location,
name of breeder, origin of livestock, sex, and dates of movement. This program
is the first of its kind in Asia, and is expected to increase the competitiveness of
Malaysian livestock industry in international markets by satisfying the
regulatory requirements of importing countries like United States, Europe and
Middle East. Tracking by RFID will also help producers meet the dietary
standards by the halal market. The program will also provide improvements in
controlling disease outbreaks in livestock.
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Bibliography

http://foodsecurity.dupont.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/DuPont-Agriculture-
Committee-The-Role-of-Technology-in-Agriculture.pdf

http://www.useoftechnology.com/technology-agriculture/

http://kgmonline.hubpages.com/hub/The-Role-of-Information-Technology-in-
Agriculture

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ICT_in_agriculture