Use Of Science and Technology in Agriculture
- The value of this sector in a nation where two-thirds of the people relies on agriculture for a living cannot be emphasised. Up to 17% of the nation’s GDP is produced by it, and it feeds 1.3 billion people.
- Because of our expanding population, the sector is under increasing pressure. A lot of people are also moving to cities as the nation rapidly industrialises. Agriculture is at risk of falling behind due to lower earnings.
Evolution of science & technology in agriculture:
- Technology and scientific advanced during the Green Revolution which increased agricultural production, farmer incomes, and agricultural productivity.
- Agriculture machinery and equipment are used on farms to facilitate farming and other agricultural chores.
- Disease prevention: Those who enter dangerous environments, such as poultry and pig farms, seek out pathologists to ensure that the well-being of the animals and birds is adequately looked after. It is one of the most efficient ways to get rid of infections and fungal diseases, despite the fact that some of the components have unfavourable side effects.
- Modern transportation: It is normal practise to move foodstuffs from the countryside to urban centres or other regions where they are needed due to good roads and modern transportation equipment.
- GIS, eNAM, crop and soil health monitoring, and technology for managing livestock and farms are just a few examples of information and communication technologies (ICTs) that are geared toward enabling, empowering, and expanding the market.
Advantages of technology and science in agriculture:
- The usage of modern machinery has significantly harmed the environment by using too many chemicals on the soil and by burning fuel and kerosene in the machines.
- Due to excessive water extraction from jet pumps, it has also caused a dip in the water table, which has increased soil salinity.
- Regional disparities in the nation’s technology distribution While farmers in prosperous states like Punjab, Haryana, and Maharashtra suffer, those in less developed states continue to use their traditional methods and skills.
- A new class of intermediaries who offer ICT services to farmers is emerging as a result of the digital divide and the low literacy rate among farmers. Additionally, it is thought that they change the data for their own benefit.
- The financial strain on farmers will only increase due to the high cost of machine maintenance and farmers’ incapacity to effectively operate the machinery due to a lack of education.
Contemporary equipment accessible to farmers:
- The goal of intelligent farm equipment is to increase productivity while using less resources. Technological advancements and intelligent machinery have the potential to boost farm output, lower expenses, and improve incomes.
- The farmer is liberated from the whims of the seasonal monsoon thanks to micro irrigation, which conserves the finite water resources. Because agriculture consumes more than 80% of all renewable water resources, implementing micro-irrigation techniques will help safeguard our finite water supplies while also boosting yields and productivity.
- Precision farming is a method of farm management that makes use of information technology to guarantee the crops and soil receive the precise nutrients they require for optimum health and yield.
- It’s time for a new era in Indian agriculture, one that will be marked by technological advancement and innovation while achieving harmony between environmental concerns, social issues, and economic, social, and political concerns. A period of extraordinary productivity and prosperity for farmers will start with this generation.
