Technology has changed and has maintained a pretty huge influence on agriculture for over two decades now.
The agro sector has witnessed quite a transformation more than most sectors while experiencing evolutionary changes in these past times.
We will be looking at the impact of technology on agriculture in this article and much more.
Many countries of the world depend on agriculture as it is the backbone of their economy, it feeds its citizens and provides a wide range of products that helps in meeting the needs of the people in that country.
The demand for food and every other agricultural product is on the rise as supply can never be enough based on the statistics of people suffering from hunger.
Many things contribute to the reason why the impact of agriculture is being hindered thus, maximizing the use of agriculture for a better society is hard to implement.
Technology has broadened the horizons of agriculture by imploring the use of modern machines and equipment for the effective and more productive implementation of modern farming methods.
Also, Technology has impacted agribusiness in a way that has never been recorded before by making provision for the fast, less stressful, and efficient methods of getting farming products ready for Market sales and all kinds of local and export trades.
The impact of technology in agriculture can also be either positive or negative depending on usage and perspective and they are;
Positive impacts:
- The faster rate of production
- Provision of jobs
- Larger production rates
- Financial advantages
- Improved farming systems
- Developed use of agricultural produces in medicine
Negative Impacts:
- Environmental disturbances
- Harm to the soil structure
- accessibility limitations
- Replacement of manpower by machines
In as much as these impacts, both positive and negative have their differences, they operate in similar premises.
Areas Of Impact Of Technology On Agriculture
Food:
The production of food for human consumption has been made quite easier to a very large extent due to the use of machines that perform almost all the farming procedures and even the processing thereafter.
Maize, cassava, millet, rice, and fruits, are examples of farm products that can be processed for the production of other edibles.
Business:
Machines and other modern farming technologies foster faster and more efficient production as agribusiness requires production in large quantities and at specific times.
To meet up with the production schedule of agribusiness, one would naturally need machines because of their beyond human capabilities In getting the work done.
Finance:
Agriculture is the base of most countries’ finances and this is due to their involvement in agribusiness.
Agrobusiness is one of the largest industries in the world and makes massive financial yields annually and this is because of its ability to handle the never-ending need of people.
Agribusiness has thrived more in recent years when modern technologies in agriculture came into play in the agricultural sector making the cash flow to be non-stop.
Clothing:
The farming of cotton owes its ease in production thanks to recent agricultural technologies.
In past times, cotton farming was never “a walk in the park” as its procedures were very tasking and the process to get cotton as a fine product was hard.
These technologies help make work more realizable, easier, efficient and market worthy.
Medicine:
The impact of agriculture in medicine is, of no doubt, massive as the use of farm-derived drug constituents and drugs seems to be on the rise.
These farm products are refined and are one of the key constituents of nutritional supplements.
Also, technology has changed the use of constituents of natural drugs to healthy synthetic drugs with little to no side effects.
What is Agricultural Science?
The science of agriculture is the process of cultivating a range of preferable crops and the rearing of livestock for purposes that might be for commercial or personal reasons.
Agricultural Science involves activities that constantly change the nature of its practice because of the effects of farm products on the human need.
Agricultural science, when studied, helps to make one learn through the multidisciplinary field of biology, and the natural, social and economic practices of agriculture.
The practice which is termed”farming” involves the joint practice of technologists, scientists, laboratory technicians, etc
Roles Of Technology In Agriculture?
Having looked at the impact of technology on agriculture, let us look at the exact roles of technology in agriculture. The role of technology in agriculture is numerous as it is a key factor in the development of agriculture and its sustainable growth.
The agro sector has so far been experiencing better times than it previously did simply by joining the world and every other sector In employing the use and Introduction of technology into its operations.
The roles of technology range from mechanization in the production of agricultural products, management of plant and animal diseases, elimination of farm pests, soil management, construction of irrigation systems, and curbing of desertification to a host of many other roles.
Importance Of Science And Technology In Agriculture?
The introduction of science and technology into the agricultural sector has been helping in the sustainable development of the agro sector and also has undergone many changes and evolution.
The use of science and technology in today’s modern agriculture has introduced the frequent use of equipment like moisture sensors, genetic engineering, GP and GI systems, machines, etc.
Technology has helped to improve agribusiness thereby providing jobs and reducing unemployment, financial yields from the innovative use of technology, better storage of agricultural products, better industry systems, etc.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Modern Agriculture?
The advantages and disadvantages of modern agriculture are closely interwoven because its disadvantages are born out of the implementation of activities that bring about advantages.
The disadvantages of modern agriculture are mainly because of overuse, unregulated implementation, and other forms of wrong usage.
The disadvantages of agriculture include:
- the overuse of fertilizers which damages the soil
- Intensive Tillage which disrupts the soil structure
- The very high cost of operation
- Health and environmental consequences
- The complex operating methods of machines
Conclusion on the Impact of Technology on Agriculture
The Impact agriculture has on technology can never be overemphasized or overlooked as agricultural technologies started the pioneering movement of agro evolution.
Pastimes of development, improvement in the agricultural field, modifications, and the Introduction of new technologies have all helped in shaping agriculture and making it possible to pair technology and the modern methods of agriculture in this present time.
New technologies are bound to be introduced and the use of these new technologies would be welcomed and implemented in the best ways possible for the advantage of all modern farming practices. Do you have suggestions about the impact of technology on agriculture? Please leave a comment below.
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References
- affordableschools.net– What Is Agriculture Science?
- www.nationalgeographic.org- Impact of Technology on Agriculture
- www.nifa.usda.gov– Agriculture Technology
- www.smsfoundation.org– Role of Modern Technology in Agriculture