June 5, 2023 | Agri Land
A recent report by McKinsey & Company consulting group highlights that increased automation in agriculture will play a crucial role in combating climate change. The report suggests that embracing new technology options can benefit the farming sector in the United States.
Although less than 5% of farmers currently use automation technology, the study indicates that pressures on farm economics and the push towards sustainable farming practices will drive the adoption of automation. By leveraging automation, farmers can mitigate the impact of climate change, particularly in the face of rising regulatory pressures.
The research shows that automation can improve the efficiency of resource usage, such as precision spraying and fertiliser application robots, reducing input costs and benefiting farmer economics. It also indicates that automation can address labor challenges, as it can lower the operating skills required by workers and enhance productivity. For instance, fully autonomous equipment can handle hazardous activities like spraying, allowing a single operator to manage multiple machines.
With growing interest from farmers in investing in innovative technologies and sustainability commitments from companies in the agriculture and food value chain, automation is becoming an increasingly attractive solution for the future of farming.