Environmental and Economic Benefits of Precision Agriculture

Precision farming is changing agricultural practices for better productivity and economic growth.

FREMONT, CA: In the era of precision agriculture, crop farmers benefit significantly from its technologies and can effectively reduce their costs. As a result of the environmental benefits of precision agriculture taking shape, farmers must generate more yields and break even from a financial perspective for the benefits to take place. A farmer must consider the economic impact of the change or investment he will make before changing his practices or investing in new technology. Now we have some compelling research that supports it.

Research has shown that precision agriculture can affect environmental and economic factors in six different areas of crop farming: productivity, crop yield, fertilizer use, herbicide use, fossil fuel use, water use, and carbon emissions, which are some of the areas where precision agriculture can have a positive impact. It was part of the study conducted by the AEM to consider how it might be better aligned with the three sustainability pillars established by the USDA by working with the American Soybean Association, CropLife America, and the National Corn Growers Association. In addition, it examined five areas in which precision agriculture can have a significant impact: auto guidance, machine section control, variable rate, fleet analytics, and precision irrigation, among others. 

AEM's study evaluated the impact of precision ag technologies on productivity, fertilizer and herbicide application, fossil fuel use, and the amount of water consumed.

According to the study, using precision agriculture technologies to utilize a variety of crop types across the United States has proved to be successful in helping crop farmers to do more with less by using precision agriculture technologies. 

With the use of precision agriculture technologies, farmers have gained many advantages such as increased crop productivity, reduced fertilizer and herbicides, and reduced fossil fuel and water consumption.

In addition to the positive impact on the environment, there are numerous positive impacts on the economy. Reduced fossil fuel and water consumption, and increased crop productivity, not only reduce carbon footprint but also help farmers save money. Despite the extremely impressive results shown in the study, it is still possible to find even more impressive gains with the widespread use of precision agriculture technologies that can be found with the more widespread adoption of precision agriculture technologies.

Although precision agriculture technology is proving to be a very effective method of improving productivity, sustainability, and competitiveness in the U.S. agricultural industry, it is also about transforming the U.S. agricultural industry into one that is more competitive, cost-effective, and sustainable.