Smart Farming describes the increasing digitalization of agricultural processes. The connection of devices, machines and systems is intended to make agricultural activities more efficient and easier. Often connection is achieved through the use of communication technologies (ICT).
Smart farming focuses particularly on automating regularly recurring tasks: For example, feed distribution for farm animals can be controlled via intelligent systems. The data is delivered digitally to the cloud, which the farmer can retrieve from his mobile device and thus control and monitor the processes. Also field operations can be another example. The activities can be taken over by sensors and drones and also controlled and monitored remotely.
In the context of smart agriculture, the term precision farming is also mentioned more frequently. But what exactly is the difference? Smart farming is mostly about replacing human labour with intelligent machines. The term Precision farming describes more the use of sensors to optimize existing processes: By monitoring environmental data, for example, the required amount of fertilizer can be determined with location accuracy.
The Internet of Things is essential to enable the monitoring, measurement and automation of agricultural operations. Through the intelligent use of machines or sensors, data is collected and passed on via mobile radio technologies. This is also referred to as machine-to-machine communication (M2M). The data collected can help farms reduce costs, make better decisions and increase efficiency.
Smart farming helps reduce overall costs in the long term
Necessary solution to meet population growth and increasing demand for agricultural goods
Better control over longterm economic processes and reduction of yield risks
Increased environmental friendliness through targeted use of pesticides
The weather extremes in Europe in particular have led to yield losses in agriculture in recent years. Therefore, it is even more important to keep track of current weather conditions as well as expected rainfall. Early identification of soil that is too dry or too wet can help to react in time and safeguard crop yields. This is where weather stations can help with data collection, enabling predictive management that also saves resources and time. The weather station can communicate via the mobile radio network.
Both ground and aerial drones can be used in agriculture. By collecting visual data, the health of plants can be assessed, for example, in the context of pest control measures. Various parameters are determined, such as plant height. In this way, predictions can be made about the health of the plants as well as the expected yield.
In addition to hardware and software, you need a connectivity component to connect your smart farming solution so that the data collected by your hardware can be reliably transmitted to your software. We offer the optimal solution for this with the 1NCE IoT Lifetime Flat.
Reliable IoT connectivity based on mobile communications: Our IoT SIM operates in over 100 countries on all available cellular standards (2G, 3G, 4G, LTE-M, NB-IoT)
Easy handling through plug and play: insert IoT SIM card and connect your devices directly
Scaling through cost efficiency: The 1NCE IoT Lifetime Flat costs you EUR 10 once for connecting your devices for a period of up to 10 years
Visit the 1NCE Shop and start connecting your IoT devices easily. Simply order your SIM cards, choose the desired type of SIM card and fill out all required forms. After the payment has been approved you get your cards within seven to ten business days.
