The Evolution of Farming: Precision Technology and the Role of Agricultural Engineers

As part of our “Back to the Future” project, we’re asking Agri-TechE members to reflect on how the agri-tech industry has evolved over the past decade and to share their vision for the next ten years. By compiling these insights, we aim to create a powerful outlook on the future of agriculture, a compelling call to arms for the industry driven by the diverse perspectives of our community.

This submission is part of the collection of reflections and predictions from our members, offering unique perspectives on the industry’s past milestones and future directions. Each contribution adds to a broader dialogue about the innovations and challenges that will shape the next decade in agri-tech.

What is the biggest game-changing development you’ve seen in the last 10 years in agricultural engineering?

It’s actually quite difficult to name one “single” game changing technology in agriculture in the last 10 years. What we have seen however is multiple technologies come together and become much more embedded in mainstream agriculture. The technologies I’m referring to are things like GPS guidance, on-board crop sensing, machine/farm office connectivity, sophisticated electronics and software systems on machines, and all the available data it brings. The coming together of this tech has really enabled “precision farming”. I don’t believe that the value proposition promised by this in the early days has actually been realised yet. There are significantly more gains to be made from efficiency and precision techniques applied to all aspects of the various process. One area I do continue to follow closely is min/zero-till and cover crop sowing techniques; there have been some good steps forward in this area, which are giving some great results by reducing input costs and maintaining the soil structure.

What do you think has been the biggest pinch point to the industry progressing – what needs to happen to tackle this and who should lead it?

There seems to be no shortage of money going into agricultural technology. Industry is making huge investments to create products and services to address the balance between food security, climate change and increasing farm profitability. However, there is a lack of leadership around systems thinking. This is impacting the end user, i.e. the farmer in two ways: 1. The deployment of technology on farms is too fragmented leaving the farmer to be the “systems integrator”. It needs to be more joined up so it becomes reliable and easy for the farmer to use, therefore supporting their day job, as opposed to becoming it! Data is a good example of fragmentation. 2. Because the technology is fragmented, the value proposition is hard for the farmer to obtain. Farmers then struggle to see the payback and therefore won’t invest. History shows us that if the technology is right and the payback is clear, the farmers will invest.

What do you think is the most exciting thing you’ll see in this area in 10 years’ time?

I talk to a lot of students, and I tell them all that they are starting their careers in a really exciting decade. There is a technology explosion in agriculture, even your traditional equipment such as tractors and combines will undergo significant change as we see the move away from fossil fuel to things like hydrogen and electric drive technology. The rise of autonomous solutions such as driverless tractors, drones, robotic fruit pickers, etc. is coming, there are some fantastic smaller scale solutions on the market and larger ones to come. I can see some of them have a real place in carrying out the labour-intensive jobs, whether its large scale tillage operations or smaller bed weeding/sowing work. Things like autonomous mechanical weeding systems are reducing chemical usage, along with spot spraying technology. I’m not a subscriber to the vision of tiny swarming field robots, I don’t think we could ever achieve the work rates necessary, especially when you visit the vast acreages of the US, Australia and Eastern Europe. Technology such as crop/soil sensing and vison techniques are really opening up creativity which will help with efficiency and productivity.

What is your vision of the future and how will IAgrE be responding to that?

IAgrE is well placed between industry, academia and research and we can help drive that discussion around the joined-up solutions we need to enable sustainable farming systems. Agricultural engineers are actually very good systems engineers, just think of the disciplines you need to be one; mechanical, electronic, civil, chemical, etc. and the variables that have to be considered. IAgrE’s prime objective hasn’t changed in 86 years, even back then it contained the phrases “application of technology” and “sustainable land-use”. We will continue to offer our members content on future technology development and networking opportunities, whilst promoting careers in the sector and ensuring education is right for industry. There has never been a more exciting time to be an “engineer in agriculture”, and if you think about that description, often people don’t realise that actually you’ve become an “agricultural engineer”!

Charlie Nicklin CEng FIAgrE