Introduction
Have you ever heard of “Smart Farming”?
You probably have, partly because in recent years technological innovation has radically transformed the agricultural sector, leading to the emergence of so-called “smart farming ” or, indeed, smart farming. This new approach simply leverages digital technologies, such as the Internet of Things, big data or advanced monitoring systems, to improve farm efficiency, sustainability and productivity. The use of this instrumentation is vital for farmers facing numerous challenges such as climate change, resource scarcity, and growing food demand.
What is Smart Farming?
Smart farming is the set of advanced technologies that are used for agricultural management and optimization. The technologies include sensors, drones, satellites, robotics, and data analysis software, which enable farmers to have a more complete picture of the situation and thus are able to efficiently monitor and manage their resources, such as soil, water, o crops, and livestock.
One of the main tools, used by smart farming, is definitely precision agriculture, which through the analysis of environmental and soil conditions, allows targeted decisions to be made and thus optimize the use of fertilizers, pesticides and water. According to the most recent ISTAT data, 28.5 percent of Italian farms already use precision farming techniques, a significant increase from previous years, a sign of growing interest in these technologies.
Key Technologies of Smart Farming
As we mentioned in the previous section, smart farming technologies offer a range of advanced solutions that improve agricultural management. Among the most popular ones are:
- Soil variability mapping (82.1%): this technique allows the creation of digital maps that represent soil variability in terms of characteristics such as fertility, drainage capacity and pH.
- Satellite positioning systems (GPS) (78.9%): GPS systems guide agricultural machinery accurately, reducing input waste and improving operational efficiency.
- Remote sensing (67.2%): through the use of satellite or aerial imagery, this technology monitors the status of crops in real time, identifying problems such as water stress, disease or pests.
- Variable-rate farming (54.9%): allows fertilizers and pesticides to be applied in varying amounts based on specific soil needs, reducing waste and environmental impact.
- Crop monitoring systems (42.6%): sensors collect real-time data on crop conditions, such as soil moisture and temperature, enabling more precise and customized management.
These technologies not only increase productivity but also help reduce environmental impact, making agriculture more sustainable.
Technology gap among Italian regions
Although smart farming truly represents an advance in innovation and technology, unfortunately, even today, there is still a significant technological gap between Italian regions.
According to ISTAT data, regions in the Northwest (32.1%) and Northeast (33%) are the most advanced in the adoption of precision farming. However, in the regions of the South and Islands, this percentage drops to 22.9 percent and 10.3 percent, respectively, showing a disparity in access to advanced technologies.
This situation also reflects the results of the 7th Census of Agriculture, which showed that Southern Italy and the Islands lag behind the North in digitization and agricultural innovation. Despite a 247 percent increase in digitization in the South and 241.9 percent in the Islands over the past decade, these regions continue to suffer from a gap compared to the North, where digitization rates are significantly higher.
The case of Sardinia
An interesting example of how smart farming can reduce this gap is Sardinia, which stands out as one of the most innovative regions in the South. According to the agricultural census,11.3 percent of Sardinian farms have made investments in innovation, which is higher than the average for other southern regions. In particular, the adoption of technologies such as remote sensing and land mapping could improve resource use in a context where environmental challenges, such as water scarcity, are particularly critical.
Sardinia’s experience shows how smart farming can be a development lever not only for more advanced regions, but also for lagging regions.
Future prospects: smart farming and sustainability
Smart farming is not only about productivity, but also about sustainability. Precision farming techniques make it possible to use resources more efficiently, reducing the waste of water, fertilizer and pesticides. In addition, smart farming offers significant opportunities in terms of social innovation. Digital technologies can make the agricultural sector more attractive to young people, providing new job opportunities and fostering the growth of short supply chains and social agriculture. Farms that embrace digitization tend to be more competitive in international markets, promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
Sources:
https://www.istat.it/it/files/2022/06/censimento_agricoltura_gnesi.pdf
https://www.istat.it/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/STATISTICATODAY-Previsioni-di-semina.pdf
https://tethys.farm/agricoltura-di-precisione-i-dati-istat-e-le-sfide-per-il-futuro/
