AI is the masterstroke redefining the practice of the most critical sectors of the world. Agriculture is in dire need of innovation because of the ever-rising demand for food courtesy of the growing population across the continents. Land is a fixed asset so there are limited ways of increasing it. Hence, all efforts should maximize yields and optimize crop production. Technological advancements are the best way to advance any sector with AI at the forefront. Find out how Polish farmers are embracing smart farming and its impact on productivity.
The Current State of the Agricultural Sector in Poland
Farming has gradually evolved over the years. It is one of the oldest trades that existed from the beginning of the human race and continues to grow not only in Poland but globally. Initially, people used hand plows before moving to animal-drawn machinery and, finally, advanced tractors and harvesters with outstanding abilities. However, despite the availability of these machinery, agriculture is faced with many challenges that are beyond human control. They include varying soil fertility, climate change, shortage of labor, and environmental calamities like floods and hurricanes.
Poland is a vibrant agricultural country that contributes significantly to food security in Europe. It is renowned for producing dairy products, fruits, vegetables, and honey. Notably, the country is among the largest producers of apples for consumption and juice production. The Polish have embraced technological advancements in various sectors, like healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture, and entertainment. The latter, for example, is driven by techs, which can be seen in the innovations implemented on gambling sites, like the Mr Bet online casino. At the modern developmental stage of the entertainment industry, iGaming is a new craze, represented by online slots and live casino games that can be accessed from home, while casino bonus offers make this trend even more popular. This level of popularity is achieved with the help of technology. As you might have assumed, the sector at the centre of today’s article also reached the current level of success with technological impact.
The agricultural sector has gained sustainability because of the use of AI since it addresses and mitigates some of the most acute challenges facing this sector. This leads to cost-effective farming and increased productivity. The Polish have a good work ethic, so the impact of a little push from tech advancements is massive. Here is how:
Smart Irrigation
Climate change, drought, and other environmental factors make irrigation essential for every successful farmer. Water is a scarce resource and the large quantities required make it one of the valuable production costs. Smart irrigation uses technology to do soil measurements that determine the opening and closing of pumps and valves that release water.
These systems have been fine-tuned through the use of sensors and probes that can trace soil moisture levels. The parameters then determine the quantity and frequency of irrigation. The existing weather conditions determine the amount of irrigation water needed. Climate change has made it harder to accurately predict climatic patterns; hence, water use optimisation can only be done using AI.
Poland has limited sources of water for irrigation from rivers and large water bodies. As mentioned previously, it is the largest producer of apples which requires over 800 liters of water for a kilogram. During the dry season, a significant fraction of the water must come from irrigation. Therefore, there is a need for economical use of this valuable resource.
The usage of water for agricultural needs in the country is efficient nowadays due to the combination of the following points:
- Smart sensors;
- Artificial intelligence technologies;
- The use of critical data;
- Different water usage patterns that depend on weather conditions, soil moisture, and a specific crop.
Disease & Pests Detection
Diseases and pests are the biggest threats to agricultural productivity. AI is becoming a plausible solution to this grave problem. It can be used for the detection of these threats through the use of computer vision and alert systems. The tech can quickly scan for defects that can be addressed before they lead to catastrophic damages.
This detection happens through image recognition and machine learning. They only require datasets of images of the pests and defects that are fed into these systems thus allowing them to detect them accurately. This can be used to diagnose apple scab and apple black rot, which greatly affect one of Poland’s leading agricultural products.
AI can quickly detect issues saving time and reducing damages. It can also allow farmers to work remotely. It is applicable in both crop and animal farming, which is a huge part of agriculture. Poland is also a big producer of dairy products, so livestock disease detection is also significant. It can use the same tech to detect changes in behavior, gait, energy levels, and eating habits. Such insights can help to detect and treat issues before they advance. Some farmers also use wearable devices that can accurately and consistently measure animal parameters like heart rate.
Smart Weeding
Weeds also threaten the sustainability of farming in Poland. The environmental impact of some traditional methods like chemical herbicides is a major concern that must be addressed. Human beings are also showing unwillingness to consume food that is grown using chemicals. AI is becoming the solution for weed control. They use algorithms, HD cameras, and machine learning to differentiate between the good crops and the weeds. This is possible through analysis of the shape, size, color, and other plant features.
Some Polish farmers are also using AI-powered robots to improve the efficiency of the process. Robotic Process Automation allows for automated weed control. The weeding process can be done by application of herbicides after detection, hence, it reduces the usage by more than 90%, making it environmentally friendly. It is also more cost and time-effective and drastically reduces the impact of weeds on agricultural productivity.
Evidence-Based Decision-Making
AI is fuelled by the collection of huge volumes of data that can be quickly analysed, leading to logical decision-making. It can be used to monitor the characteristics of the soil before and during the cultivation process. This can also be coupled with other factors like weather conditions to decide whether the combination can sustain the desired initiative.
The data can be used to predict the quality of crops, the yields, and the risks. It is different from human monitoring, which is time-consuming and subject to errors and bias. AI can also detect any other issues that may arise. It could address or support the use of fertilizers and other additives that could optimize production.
The progress monitoring of crops can also lead to a deeper understanding that helps to predict yield. The advanced sensors used can accurately distinguish between good quality crops, bad quality, and the weeds that may all be on the farm.
All the data can be used to make informed decisions that maximize productivity and reduce wastage. The analysis of soil characteristics assists farmers in planting in the right region and season, which will lead to better results. It can also inform the use of extra things like fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, and irrigation during the entire process.
Finally, it allows farmers to work on the supply chain in advance. If the predicted yields are high, the farmer can work on the demand and the markets to ensure that none is wasted. The analysis of the entire process that can be done through AI can lead to evidence-based agriculture that promises excellent yields.
What Does the Future Hold for Polish Agriculture?
AI will be at the forefront of the future of agriculture. This sector is critical to the survival of the human race since it determines the availability of food. Poland is one of Europe’s biggest agricultural centers that produces dairy products, vegetables, fruits, and honey. It is particularly a major producer of apples. The farmers have embraced AI in their practices leading to better outcomes. Things will only get better as producers continue to utilize this invaluable resource in their practices.
