Ritam Gandhi, Director and founder, Studio Graphene 

Amidst mounting concerns over climate change, labour shortages, and financial constraints, the agricultural sector in the UK finds itself in a pivotal position, compelled to leverage every available advantage towards productivity and sustainability. Prioritising efficiency and maximising output are the best path forward, which can only be achieved by embracing meaningful innovative solutions.

According to the IPCC's Special Report on Climate Change, agriculture was accountable for as much as 8.5% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions in 2019. As such to achieve any semblance of a net-zero UK, the agricultural industry must be a central player.

Recognising this, the National Farmers Union (NFU) has already committed to the ambitious target of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across the entirety of agriculture in England and Wales by 2040, a full decade ahead of the UK's national objective of net-zero emissions by 2050. In this journey towards sustainability, technology is set to play a pivotal role.

Furthermore, in 2023, food price inflation emerged as a frustratingly prominent trend, reaching as high as 19.2% in March, causing both consumers and businesses to grapple with tight budgets and increasing expenses. Across various sectors, cost hikes have been notably substantial. Notably, the most significant increase has occurred in energy prices, which surged by approximately 165% for farmers between the end of 2021 and 2022. Fertiliser expenes also climbed by about 40%, while workforce spending experienced a 13% uptick.

In the face of this challenging economic landscape, technology stands ready to offer solutions that can alleviate these financial pressures. Emphasising efficiency and optimising productivity is the most promising path forward, and this can only be achieved by fully embracing innovation.

Although some operations have already adopted IoT sensor technology, the agricultural sector has only scratched the surface of the potential benefits that emerging technology can bring to its productivity.

Precision agriculture

From production and transportation to storage and retail, stakeholders across food production are already embracing tech-driven solutions to bolster their digital capabilities.

The integration of IoT sensors and automation systems stands as a promising avenue for enhancing farm operations by facilitating real-time monitoring and precise control.

IoT sensors serve as data collection nodes scattered throughout the farm, generating a wealth of instantaneous data. Leveraging advanced analytics, this data can be harnessed to derive actionable insights that propel agricultural businesses forward.

For instance, Imperial College London highlights that overfertilisation has rendered approximately 12% of previously arable land worldwide unusable, and the use of nitrogen-based fertilisers has surged by 600% in the last half-century. Nonetheless, precision in fertiliser application remains a challenge for crop growers. Sensing technology possesses the capability to accurately measure and predict soil nitrogen levels, allowing for informed decisions regarding fertilisation planning, considering the influence of weather conditions and aligning fertiliser timing with crop requirements. This approach holds the potential to mitigate overfertilisation while simultaneously enhancing crop yields and profitability for growers.

Boosting sustainability

 A pivotal role of data analytics in elevating sustainability within the agricultural sector cannot be emphasised enough. It stands as the cornerstone of well-informed decision-making, empowering farmers to optimise productivity while minimising wastage.

For instance, this invaluable data can be harnessed to fine-tune planting schedules, ensuring that crops are sown during the most conducive growth periods. Moreover, it facilitates precision irrigation, where sensors provide precise guidance on the judicious application of water, ensuring it is distributed precisely where and when it is needed most. This approach significantly contributes to water conservation –  agriculture accounted for 14% of total water abstractions, according to a 2019 OECD report.  

Additionally, IoT sensors excel in the realm of temperature monitoring. By facilitating real-time monitoring of ambient temperatures in silos, fields to detect potentially damaging wind and frost levels, and even in niche areas like beehive health monitoring, these sensors enable farmers to receive timely alerts regarding any impending issues. This capability enhances not only the protection of crops but also the overall sustainability of agricultural practices.

The emergence of sustainable technology has presented innovators with a unique opportunity to bring about substantial transformation within the agricultural sector. It holds the potential to reduce waste, boost profitability, and introduce cutting-edge solutions, particularly in times of economic uncertainty and heightened environmental awareness. By fostering collaboration among farms, businesses, tech startups, and consumers, we can collectively strive to achieve these goals.

Ritam Gandhi, is the Founder and Director of Studio Graphene – a London-based company that specialises in the development of blank canvas tech products including apps, websites, AR, IoT and more. The company has completed over 250 projects since first being started in 2014, working with both new entrepreneurs and product development teams within larger companies.