Every industry continues to develop as external conditions require ongoing adaptation. This is no different for the agricultural industry, with factors such as technological advancements, climate change, and sustainability changing the way farmers are working. As we look forward, the way the world is advancing means there are some large-scale changes predicted for the future of agriculture:
Environmental conservation
With the impact of agriculture becoming more recognized, changes are needed to minimize environmental impact. Modern practices which protect soil health are starting to filter out more traditional methods, maintaining natural habitats and ensuring soil remains usable. Techniques such as crop rotation and cover cropping are not only minimizing the impact farmers are having on the environment but are maximizing yield to boost food supply. Going forward, it is expected that animal by-products and organic waste will be repurposed to produce usable resources such as natural fertilizers, biofuels, and bioplastics.
Urbanization
As land becomes harder to come by from the amount of urbanization underway, agriculture workers are having to look for alternative ways to use the space available to them. There is expected to be an increase in vertical farming which will see crops being grown in more urban environments. By allowing agriculture to be possible outside of rural areas, reliable crop production can be made possible in all weather conditions, guaranteeing a supply of produce and even reducing transportation costs.
Genetic modification
By tweaking the genetic makeup of crops, it is possible to create yields that can withstand common threats such as extreme temperatures, droughts, pests, and diseases. This means food security can be maintained against the changing climate, providing a constant food source that can grow in more difficult conditions through future genetic advancements.
Precision farming
Advanced technologies such as drones and sensors are expected to become more common in the agriculture industry to monitor soil health, predict weather conditions, and use real-time data to manage crop growth. There may also be the release of new technologies equipped with artificial intelligence (AI), removing the need for labor-heavy tasks by manually planting and harvesting crops.
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