The constant expanse of 5G utilization throughout a variety of industries has continuously produced innovative technologies that have expedited digital transformation globally. One of the most notable industries adapting via the influx of 5G technology is agriculture, which has resultantly thrived by incorporating resilient cellular technology into management systems, greatly diminishing resource consumption and providing considerably improved yields, maximizing efficiency.
The importance of this has been further compounded by the prevalent climate crisis, which has limited the yield for a variety of previously reliable and well-farmed crops such as soybeans that many rely on to solidify their food security. Additionally, with US farms alone wasting 20 billion pounds of produce yearly due to inefficient processes, the introduction of 5G has become immensely overdue to optimize and up-scale farming routines globally.
Initially focusing and excelling in providing high-bandwidth connectivity, 5G infrastructures have become increasingly conventional throughout smart farming operations, which leverage the technology in conjunction with various Internet of Things (IoT) devices such as smart sensors. These sensors enable owners to receive and effectively analyze critical farming data in real-time, empowering farmers to respond adequately to any issues that could occur that would damage produce and lower overall production efficiency.
One sector especially advanced by the advent of 5G in agriculture is the production of soybeans which significantly improved with an estimated 4.4 billion bushels produced in 2021, a considerable increase of 200 million bushels from the year prior. Though partially down to the Coronavirus pandemic, the influx of 5G technology assisted in returning production to pre-Covid levels and then building even further beyond that with optimized sensors accommodating precision agriculture and smart farming.
“Given the importance of the soybean industry in providing healthy and nutritious food and enhancing food security, the more we can do to make the farming of soybeans more efficient is very important,” said Roy Timor-Rousso, Chief Revenue Officer, JpU, an enterprise 5G company implementing secure wireless networks leveraging CBRS in North America. “One of the most exciting applications for private high speed and secure wireless networks is how they support real-time applications, including measuring soil, nutrients, water, temperature and more – but also making solutions like driverless tractors work in the field.”
Specific solutions enabled through 5G cellular broadband:
- Precision Agriculture - Rather than treating entire fields of crops with the same level of food, water, and fertilizer, precision agriculture can effectively provide precise treatment to specific crops restricting possible wastage.
- Insect Tracking - Using smart sensors throughout the farm, insect number and location data can be transmitted and responded to in real-time, limiting the damage they can cause.
- Crop Monitoring - By making use of the 5G connection, machines can report the growth of weeds and the health of crops to be effectively managed in real-time.
- Drones - Can easily be used to carry heavy loads or spray pesticide at locations predetermined by crop monitoring systems to hasten general production.
- Water Consumption - Alleviate consumption by better analyzing empirical data that can be used to reduce water usage, especially within arid environments.
- Livestock Tracking - Locating and managing the health and fertility of livestock with geolocation services can reduce the cost and improve the ability of farmers to control food intake.
“As we advance, the amelioration of the agriculture industry will continually adjust to 5G technologies, providing a better quality of service,” Timor-Rousso said. “It will likely become more intrinsically linked as the innovation leads to further developments in farm efficiency as the industry aims to meet global food necessities in line with the growing population.”
Edited by
Luke Bellos
