While around 75 million technological devices are used globally, 46% of Corn, 36% of Soybeans
and 15% of Wheat in the USA are harvested with combine harvesters with yield measurement sensors.
Moreover, 25% of Nebraska, USA uses satellite imagery.
In Germany, precision farming practices vary between 10-30%.
On the other hand, in Brazil, we can find exemplary practices, including 39% of sugarcane producers using GPS and 76% using satellite images.
The following were observed as feedback after applying such practices;
By using agricultural aircraft, it was discovered that
Pesticide use can be reduced by up to 90%,
And herbicide use can be decreased by up to 90%;
Leveraging sensors decreases the use of insecticides in wheat production by 12%;
On-demand irrigation can save up around 20-25%;
Greece's olive production decreased by 31% in potassium, 59% in phosphate fertilizers, and 86% in calcium.
A study conducted in England shows that in 2015, 320 million USD was spent on Agriculture 4.0 applications to develop agricultural technologies. Moreover, wheat production grew by 15%, increasing the output per decare from 700 kg to 800 kg.
The USA is the biggest producer of almonds, with around 80% of the world's supply. However, almonds' need for a lot of water also increases production costs. As a solution, moisture sensors were placed on almond trees, with soil analyzes conducted. After transmitting the data collected in the cloud to the irrigation systems of the farms, irrigation was performed accordingly. This technology provided 20% savings in irrigation only.
On the other hand, NASA launched its observation satellite designed to measure soil moisture. This satellite provides scientists with detailed data on drought, flood, and climate change every three days. In Turkey, Isbank's Digital Agriculture Application İmeceMobil utilizes this satellite technology.
Private companies that produce agricultural equipment, machinery, and software within agriculture 4.0 also play a significant role in the USA's advancement in agricultural technologies.
In 2001, the American company, the world's leading agricultural equipment producer, reduced the fuel cost for fertilization and agricultural spraying by about 40% by including GPS sensors in its tractors and other mobile machines.
On the other hand, 70% of the Netherlands' agricultural innovations are achieved by information technologies. Thus, the Netherlands can both produce and export agricultural technologies.
The farms in the Netherlands successfully increased their production and productivity thanks to high-efficiency irrigation systems, advanced seed technologies, renewable energy systems, robots & automation systems, big data analytics, and smart farm software.
AgriTech Use in Taiwan
In Taiwan, vertical farming is of great importance. As a result of the need for LED technologies in indoor farming, Taiwan has the world's second-largest LED industry, supporting vertical farming with developments in LED technology. Emphasizing robot and drone production, Taiwan is also the global leader in producing solar cells for the energy resources required by large-scale agricultural projects. In smart greenhouses, plant growth is ensured all year round thanks to unique LED lights, which mimic sunlight without infrared and ultraviolet light that will burn the plants, making plant-specific adjustments. The acceleration in the yield with tea harvesting machinery and drip irrigation systems provides water, labor, and energy savings. In the 14-storey vertical farming facility, research on the absorption of nutrients by plants with classical music is also conducted besides controllable humidity, temperature, and air flows.
AgriTech Use in the Netherlands
Precision agriculture practices provide highly effective water and fertilizer use in the agricultural industry.
Machines designed to process agricultural products are highly automated, such as robotic soft fruit harvesters. Wageningen University, the world's best agricultural university, conducts studies on scientific and commercial issues in the life sciences and natural resources. In 2017, the Netherlands exported 100.8 billion Euros worth of agricultural products and technology. Behind the country's agricultural success lies agricultural specialization and technology. As a result of its significant agricultural infrastructure and professional collaborations with agricultural universities, farmers, and the state, the Netherlands is now among the world's leading agriculture countries by integrating Agriculture 4.0 into its practice.
AgriTech Use in Israel
Introducing the drip irrigation system to the world, Israel, self-sufficient in agriculture, can modify seeds, yield all kinds of agricultural products even in arid lands with the latest technology, and export significantly. The country's significant development in the agricultural industry is based on utilizing cutting-edge technologies in soil and water scarcity, that is, in arid conditions. Israel has achieved many successes, including sweet cherry tomatoes, efficient drip irrigation systems, drought-resistant seed varieties, and post-harvest resistance processes.
Israel also produces 95% of its food demand in case of adverse terrain and climatic conditions. The country allocates 17% of its budget to R&D for agriculture.
The technological achievements of Israel include computer-controlled drip irrigation, computerized early warning systems for leaks, thermal imaging detectors for crop water stress assessment, biological pest control, and new fruit & vegetable varieties. OECD's data indicate that Israel spends 4% of its GDP on research and experimental development, making the country the leader among OECD countries in this regard (Turkey allocates close to 1%).
The country also aims to advance in three primary areas: Mobile applications, sensors, and data acquisition hardware & advanced analytics software. Israel continues to be at the forefront in water management, data science, drones, and sensors sub-industries.
The greenhouses located in the agricultural center in the desert in Israel conduct irrigation and fertilization via computers and combat plant pests via various methods. These greenhouses also reduce costs by using the energy obtained with solar panels, utilizing high technology to increase efficiency.
Our Country in the World Market
The successful practices of Israel and Taiwan are their drip irrigation systems and LED production, respectively. Among 140 countries included in the Global Competitiveness Index 4.0, Turkey ranks 47th in innovation capacity, 50th in infrastructure, 71st in communication technology use, 77th in competency ranking (such as education and experience), and 116th in macroeconomic stability.
Onur ŞAHİNKUL ImeceMobil - Agricultural Engineer
