The farm-to-table movement is gaining traction as consumers become more aware of the importance of sustainable and responsible agricultural practices. Technology is playing an increasingly important role in this movement, helping to streamline operations, reduce food waste, and provide detailed data points on soil conditions, wind, fertilizer needs, water availability, and pest infestations. Sensors installed in fields and crops are providing granular data points on soil conditions, as well as detailed information on wind, fertilizer needs, water availability and pest infestations. GPS units on tractors, combines and trucks can help determine the optimal use of heavy equipment.
Data analysis can help prevent deterioration by moving products faster and more efficiently. Unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, can patrol fields and alert farmers to crop ripeness or potential problems. RFID-based traceability systems can provide a constant flow of data on agricultural products as they move through the supply chain, from the farm to the compost or recycling bin. Prospective and retrospective analyses help determine which are the best crops to plant, taking into account both sustainability and profitability.
Agricultural technology can also help farmers protect themselves from losses and balance cash flow. AI is also used to improve livestock practices. It allows farmers to customize individual fields to meet the demands of a specific region or consumer group. Products can come from a small family farm or from a larger operation that adheres to sustainable agricultural practices.
This process dates back to simpler times and promotes responsible agricultural practices, transparency and a healthier way of eating. This change in consumer preferences has led to an increase in demand for local, small-scale farms that prioritize environmentally friendly practices and provide fresh, seasonal produce to nearby restaurants and markets. In addition to improving crop management, automation technologies powered by artificial intelligence are helping to streamline various aspects of agricultural operations, from milking cows to sorting and packaging products. Nutrients and growth rates of individual plants can be monitored.
AI plays a crucial role in helping restaurants and other catering establishments adapt to the “farm-to-table” movement. For example, AI-powered sensors can monitor soil moisture levels, nutrient content, and other factors in real time, allowing farmers to make more informed decisions about when to water, fertilize, or harvest their crops. Finally, research on agricultural robotics should be strengthened to develop robots that can respond to data and achieve better, faster and more efficient production. What's important now is to ensure that both the technology and the data it generates are available to everyone.
In the U. S., many companies have strong incentives to continue investing in these technologies, further reducing the need for human labor.
