Farming in the Twenty-First Century: Agricultural Science and Technology

Farming Agriculture Uav Dji Plant Protection Drone
credit: Maxpixel, license: CC

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Modern agriculture will continue to be driven by agricultural science and technology. Agriculture is becoming more intertwined with society and the economy in the twenty-first century, which means farmers will need to be more socially and economically savvy.

Short History

In the 20th century, farming was a way of life for many Americans. Although most people lived in cities or towns, there were still some farmers who lived independently on their own land. By the mid-1900s, farmers had access to various technologies that made their jobs a lot easier. One technological innovation that had an enormous influence on farming was tractors. Before tractors were created in 1913 tractors were pulled by horses, mules, and oxen.

Tractor credit: Pixabay, license: CC

Implementation of Technology

Technology has made it possible for farmers to use tractors to plow their fields, cut their hay, and bale the hay. Because of this technology, farmers can simply sit on a tractor and steer it where they want to go. Technology has come a long way since tractors were first created. Modern-day tractors are self-propelled, equipped with hydraulics, and offer several other options such as air conditioning, power steering, and cup holders. There are even tractors that have high-tech features such as GPS systems (global positioning systems), self-leveling racks, autopilot systems, and high-powered engines.

Internet of farms vector editable agricultural technology social media template
credit: Rawpixel, license: Royalty-Free personal

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Current Situation of Farmers

Farmers nowadays have to be a lot more concerned about what is happening in their community. In the 1900s farmers enjoyed doing whatever they pleased without having to think of their community or anyone else. Today, farmers have to take into account political issues, social issues, and even economic factors.

Farmers were trained and hired to apply the Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT).
credit: Flickr, license: CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

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Farmers today have to be more aware of what is happening in the world as well as in their own communities. One way they are able to do this is through radio and television. Farmers always used radio to listen in on what was happening in the world, but now farmers use these radios for communication between each other and with outside people as well.

Science in Farming

Science is a big part of farming today and farmers now use science to increase the health and longevity of their livestock as well as their crops. For example, farmers are using biotechnology to improve crops such as corn and soybean. Farmers are also using science to increase the production of milk in cows. The milk produced by cows today has a higher amount of protein compared to milk from cows in the 1900s.

Farmers have also been using science for better diseases in livestock than ever before. The widespread use of antibiotics in the twentieth century has led to antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance can affect all sorts of animals, humans, and plants. In the future, farmers will have to be more careful with how they treat their livestock as antibiotics don't play a role in human medicine anymore.

Farmers of today are just like farmers of yesteryear, but there are many things that have changed on farms from the 1900s to now. One thing that has changed is how much farmers rely on technology for their work. Farmers use technology on a daily basis to help them; whether it be tractors or even computers.

The invention of machines and equipment has made farming practices much easier than ever before. Research is still continuing to make farming more efficient. One of the most important inventions for farmers these days is the computer that contains information about weather, production practices, crop prices, and other commodities. This invention helps farmers to maintain their profits and prepare for any threats that may come up in the future.

Geological Overview

The improvements in technology and science have managed to improve agricultural production levels over time which will be helpful for landowners in developing nations who wish to grow more crops. However, increased agricultural productivity has caused environmental concerns for soil erosion, nutrient run-off into waterways, pesticide use as well as greenhouse gas emissions from farm equipment.

Crop rotation graphic credit: Wikimedia, license: CC BY-SA 3.0

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Crops have been the mainstay of agriculture for thousands of years. Crop rotation is still used in the majority of European and North American farms, especially for potatoes and cereals, but crop rotation is also popular in South America, Asia, and Africa. Recent innovations in plant breeding have helped to improve the yields and quality of crops. The recent introduction of short-cycle varieties has boosted yields while reducing reliance on year-to-year pesticides, fertilizers, water, and energy inputs. The benefits of improved yields are not just limited to farmers, however, as they are also better suited to the recommendations set by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) which seek to ensure food security through sustainable agricultural practices worldwide.

Conclusion

It is important to consider the ever-changing cultural, social, and economic factors that impact agriculture in the 21st century. Technologies such as smartphones, GPS systems, weather apps, and even games have played an important role in the advancement of farming practices in the 21st century. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has established sustainable development goals which are aimed at improving efficiency while minimizing ecological impact.

References:

• Nature plants
• Soil testing gives a farmer an accurate picture of the soil's health.
• Daily-mail