T E S T I N G
The biological make-up of us makes
nutrition pivotal to our survival. Since
food occupies such an esteemed
position in our lifelong scale of preference,
ways of engaging more efficiently
in agricultural activities have been sought.
The progression from subsistence agriculture
(providing food enough for just one’s family) to
commercial agriculture (providing food for a larger
population for profits in return) has made this search
even more intense. How can I farm larger and more
successfully while incurring minimal costs?
As usual, technology tirelessly shows up, ingeniously
suggesting a solution. Wireless sensors,
as a helpful friend to agriculturists, is increasing in
popularity. The speed, accuracy and higher yield it
promises to infuse in growing crops are difficult to
pass by without exploration; a reality reminiscent
of mind-blowing smart modes of communication
today. Thus, wireless sensors of various types
and choice of any hinges on user’s requirement is
an option that can lead you to more agricultural
prosperity.
Smart or precision agriculture, significantly involving
sensors, has come to stay, considering its environmental
friendly tendency. A wireless sensor finds
out whether a physical property of a soil or crop
exists, and determines the extent of such component.
This implies that temperature, humidity,
air, moisture, soil fertility level and what have you
can be reliably known without the hassle of taking
around chords and wires.
In other words, sensors function like our five senses
which enable us productively to keep in touch with
our immediate environment and respond to stimuli
where appropriate. Similarly, data proceeding from
these sensors paves the way for farmers to take
timely relevant actions. The three main functions of
a sensor within a system are monitoring and control,
security and warning, and diagnosis and analysis.
The different factors which affect high field yield
such as water, soil nutrients, air and atmospheric
temperature have given rise to sensor technologies
which illuminate them. Thus wireless sensors, in accordance
with operational disposition, are basically
grouped into three: physical sensors, mechanical
sensors and chemical sensors.
Acoustic sensors, flow sensors, humidity sensors,
pressure sensors and temperature sensors are
classified as physical sensors. Proximity sensors,
position sensors, level sensors and motion sensors
are grouped under the mechanical sensors. Chemical
sensors profile biosensors and gas sensors.
An acoustic sensor is an insect pest detection
sensor which works by monitoring the noise level of
the insect pests. Wireless sensor nodes connected
to a base station are placed in the field. When
the noise level of the pest crosses the threshold,
a sensor transmits that information to the control
room computer, which then accurately indicates the
ravaged area.
Proximity sensors ensure spaces between crops are
correctly noted when activities to facilitate growth
are on-going.
Profile biosensors to a great degree provide insight
on the suitability of farm produce after harvest by
checking for harmful insalubrious contents. For instance,
optical biosensors are said to show greater
potential for the detection of pathogens, pesticide
and drug residues, hygiene monitoring, heavy metals
and other toxic substances in the food to assess
consumption safety.
Soon, the use of water and fertiliser will be measured
and monitored in detail, sometimes on a
plant-by-plant basis. The benefits will be higher
productivity and more efficient use of land, water
and fertiliser. But it will also help satisfy the rising
demand for transparency in farming.
Consumers increasingly want to know where their
food came from, how much water and chemicals
were used, and when and how it was harvested.
We are in for an agricultural boom where sensors,
wireless ones inclusive, will arm farmers with more
detailed details about conditions surrounding their
crops, step-up certainty in having rich harvests and
protect better the interests of consumers.
However, looking the way of wireless sensors and
keying in to smart or precision agriculture has become
very salient, given the prediction by the Food
and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United
Nations that food production must increase by 70%
in 2050 for sustenance of the world›s population.
If this upward turn doesn’t happen, food scarcity
will very likely sweep across the globe, hiking food
prices, burgeoning mortality rates and poverty,
thereby threatening the sustainable development
goals. Bearing in mind prevention is better than
cure, wireless sensors usher us into smart and
improved farming with benefits for agri businesses
and humanity. The ball is now in our court.
Taylor Welsh has worked as a content writer and
engineering specialist for the past 15 years at Ax
Control, an automation control device service
and supply company based out of North Carolina.
www.AxControl.com. This opinion piece was
drawn from Senses Online.
SENSORS TODAY
AND TOMORROW
It is no violation of reason to say that agriculture is as old as
man himself, American engineering expert Taylor Welch says.
But how will wireless sensing play an increasing part?
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