ADVANCES IN AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY IN INDIA: CURRENT PROGRESS, IOT INNOVATIONS, AND FUTURE PROSPECTS FOR SUSTAINABLE FARMING
Garikapati Anuruth Babu1, M. Mohana Keerthi2, Suresh Babu C3, Pilli Manasa4
1Agronomy Research Scholar, Department of Agronomy, School of Agriculture, SR University, Warangal – 506 371, Telangana, India.
2Assistant Professor, Department of Agronomy, School of Agriculture, SR University, Warangal – 506 371, Telangana, India.
3Agronomy Research Scholar, Department of Agronomy, School of Agriculture, SR University, Warangal – 506 371, Telangana, India.
4Assistant Professor, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, K.L. University, Green Fields, Vaddeswaram, Guntur District – 522 302, Andhra Pradesh, India.
ABSTRACT: Modernization is gradually affecting agricultural practices in India – essential because of emerging technologies in order to feed the ever-enhancing population. Pervasive fluctuations in climate and weather conditions, geographical situations, and traditional farming practices present the pressures that are beginning to have a resolution with the help of recent technological enhancements of digital agriculture, smart farming, and big data analytics. The above technologies offer important information on crop husbandry, yields, pests, and finances, to enhance the performance and profitability of farming. IoT has amplified the conception of smart farming instruments in agriculture through real-time data based on sensors and UAVs. These innovations apply to the best practices in all seasons from land preparation to harvesting, packaging and minimising losses and improving yields. Realizing the application of IoT in agriculture brings higher yield and better product quality, lower labor cost and higher farmer income, and promotes the process of modernization of agricultural services. Thus, while India continues to strive towards a smarter way to farm, there is even more to come on the IoT horizon and other advanced technologies. The future of agriculture, therefore, requires that current challenges, including the incorporation of these traditional systems with such systems, be well solved.
Keywords: Agricultural Technology, Internet of Things (IoT), Smart Farming, Precision Agriculture, Sustainable Farming.