What is Digital Agriculture? Everything Students Should Know

How do you think the future of agriculture will look? Digitalised? Obviously! This digital future has arrived, where now growing crops, taking care of them, harvesting them, analysing them, etc, is being done with the help of gadgets. Digital agriculture is here, not as a fiction but an advanced reality where food is believed to gain back its purity.

What is Digital Agriculture? 

Smart farming, or digital agriculture refers to farming via engaging new methods such as the application of innovative technologies and the use of data in farming practices. It is about harnessing global best practices in agricultural practices together with innovative technology in the use of a mobile application, sensors, drones, and artificial intelligence. The goal? To assist farmers in producing more food, they must do this sustainably, thereby keeping their costs down and improving their profits while at the same time preserving the natural resources available to them.

How is this e-agriculture helping? 

Earlier, farmers made their decisions, be it when to sow seeds, how much water to use or when to harvest, solely on guesswork and their skills. Now, through digital agriculture, they can retrieve real weather information, information on the health of the soil and the recommended measures for improving its fertility, among other things. For instance, soil moisture sensors can detect the soil's moisture content and allow the farmer to call his/her telephone for instructions on when to water and how much to water. Not only does this method conserve water, but it also helps the crops to grow in a healthy manner.

The next technological advancement of digitalised agriculture is drones. They can survey large areas and provide high-resolution pictures; farmers can identify the areas that need their attention because of pests or diseases at an earlier stage than the human eye can. That is how difficulties can be solved before they become critical, and losses in crop and pesticide application would be minimised. Satellite imagery and big data analytics enable a better study of weather patterns, crop cycles, and even yield estimation. 

What More is Digital Agriculture in India Doing? 

Smart agriculture does not only involve a change in what happens in the field. It is also revolutionising the market for selling crops and other produce produced by farmers. New technologies such as online markets and mobile apps are ensuring that  farmers are able to sell their crops directly to the consumer or buyers, thus leaving out the middleman and getting good prices for their crops. This is how, through e-agriculture, farmers are now able to check the price of their crops, seek new buyers, and even receive payment electronically from the comfort of their homes in the village.

Digital Agriculture is Sustainable Agriculture

What makes digital agriculture really beneficial for India is its potential to make farming more sustainable. Because when the soil is watered, fertiliser is used in the right amount, and pesticides sparingly and at the right time, the soil and the environment can be preserved for the next generation. Besides, since climate change has made the climate unpredictable, technology is proving to be helpful for farmers with smarter solutions, making Indian agriculture more sustainable.

Why Students Should Know About Digital Agriculture?

Digitality is quickly redefining how farming, agricultural food chains, and produce are procured and distributed in India and beyond. Digital agriculture is an important concept that every student should know because it immediately connects with some of the greatest issues affecting Indian farming, such as weather risks, resource scarcity, and market opportunities. Since India’s rural population remains high and a major chunk of it depends on agriculture, usability of Digital Developments in Agricultural Production can go a long way in helping farmers to produce more with better yields and therefore higher income. It is also important for students to learn about the possibilities of how technology, such as artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, drones and analytics can help in solving real world problems to prepare the students for the future jobs market.

Digital agriculture: its scope and career avenues

The opportunities in the area of digital agriculture are immense. With the advancement in technology especially in farming, several employment opportunities are available in the area for students from both agricultural and technical education. The following are some of the emerging roles:

1. Precision agriculture technicians
2. Farm data analysts
3. Digital tools handling agronomists
4. Project managers for agri-tech initiatives
5. Help desk specialists for digital farming solutions
6. Embedded systems engineers for agri-robotics
7. Digital farming leads and advisors
8. Agri-content writers and communication specialists

The demand for such positions is increasing day by day, and there is a need for people in private businesses, developing agri-tech firms, governmental initiatives, non-profit organisations, and international organisations. They include GIS, IoT, artificial intelligence, drones, data management, sustainable agriculture trainings/courses/programmes to provide the student with hands on experience preparing him or her to go and work in the industry.

Building a Future in Digital Agriculture

For one to pursue a career in digital agriculture, the following can be done:

• Choose courses from the area of agriculture, engineering, information technology, and data management.
• Consider pursuing internship or taking up certification courses on agri-tech, precision farming, or fundamental knowledge on digital agriculture.
• Acquire knowledge of the new farming technologies and practices such as using sensors, drones, and farm management systems.
• Update your LinkedIn profile and connect with professionals in the respective area to be a part of developmental workshops or forums.

It is for this reason that with the right skills and the right knowledge aspiring agriculture students in India  can play their part to see that agriculture in India, which is the largest producer of agriculture products in the world, becomes efficient, sustainable and able to compete with the world’s best. It is apparent that digital agriculture provided job opportunities as well as an opportunity for helping millions of farmers and the food security of the country. 

India is set for the next Green Revolution, known as the digital revolution of agriculture,, and the students who already know these tools are among those who can spearhead this revolution. Thus, digital agriculture is not just about using the gadgets; it is about giving the farmers of India a weapon, a powerful weapon of information that can revolutionise their lives and the food security of India.

By adopting such changes, it becomes possible to advance smart, sustainable and profitable farming for all the stakeholders. The next time you spot a farmer with his smartphone or a drone flying over a piece of farming land, do not be surprised. This is the new face of Indian agriculture and scope for youths in agriculture that is full of potential for today’s young generation. If you are someone who is not sure about how to start their career in agriculture, take AIACAT, consult our counsellors, and build your career in it.