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Mobile applications are gaining increasing importance in modern agriculture, offering farmers a range of tools for efficient farm management. These solutions allow for real-time crop monitoring, precise water and fertilizer dosing, and efficient coordination of fieldwork.
Discover mobile technologies that support farmers in making key decisions.
What are mobile technologies in agriculture?
Mobile technologies in agriculture consist of numerous applications and systems that can be operated from devices such as smartphones and tablets. These solutions allow farmers to remotely monitor crops, analyze data, automate processes and manage farms efficiently.
The use of mobile programs brings several benefits to farmers:
- constant access to up-to-date data on the condition of crops and the farm;
- ability to quickly respond to emerging problems;
- more efficient management of water and fertilizers;
- support in making more accurate agrotechnical decisions;
- improvement in coordinating fieldwork and managing staff;
- cost reduction.
As a result, these technologies become invaluable tools in the daily work of modern farmers - integrating data from various sources and providing comprehensive support for farm management.
The market for digital solutions in agriculture is rapidly evolving. According to a report by MarketsandMarkets, the value of the smart agriculture market is expected to grow from $16.2 billion in 2023 to $28 billion by 2025. Meanwhile, the IoT market in agriculture is projected to reach 18,1 mld USD by 2026, compared to $11.4 billion in 2021.
Crop monitoring at your fingertips
One of the most important areas of application for mobile applications is crop monitoring. Modern technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), drones, and satellite imagery provide a wealth of data on plant health, soil moisture, and nutrient levels.
Imagine checking the current status of your cornfield on your smartphone over morning coffee. The app shows a map of the field with areas that need irrigation or fertilization. You can also view drone images that reveal early signs of diseases or pests.
A solution like this is offered by Agrivi. Their comprehensive crop management platform integrates data from IoT sensors, drones, and satellites. The farmer receives a clear picture of their field's condition and can quickly respond to emerging issues.
Save water with mobile apps
Efficient water resource management is another area where mobile applications can significantly help farmers. Special algorithms, based on weather data, soil moisture, and plant growth stages, can precisely determine when and how much water crops need.
An interesting solution in this area is provided by CropX. It consists of wireless sensors placed in the soil, measuring moisture, temperature, and salinity. The data is sent to the cloud, where it is analyzed by machine learning algorithms. Farmers receive precise irrigation recommendations for each field zone on their smartphone.
Irrigation control is done through the phone. The farmer can remotely turn on and off the irrigation system, adjust flow intensity, or set watering schedules. Some programs can even predict drought risks and optimize water use across the entire farm.
Precision fertilization under control
Mobile solutions are also used in planning and monitoring fertilization and plant protection. Special algorithms, based on soil characteristics, crop growth stages, and weather forecasts, can select the best time for fertilization and the appropriate fertilizer or pesticide dosage.
A good example is FieldView from Climate Corporation, part of Monsanto. The app combines data from agricultural machines, satellite imagery, and weather forecasts to create detailed field maps. Based on this, it generates fertilization recommendations for each section of the crop.
As a result, the farmer can tailor agrotechnical treatments to the plants' needs, avoiding over-fertilization or under-nutrition. The program reminds them of upcoming spraying schedules and suggests the best preparations for specific conditions.
All fieldwork under control
What about managing fieldwork? Agricultural mobile applications allow for detailed task planning, assigning tasks to employees, and monitoring progress in real-time.
Imagine managing a large farm and needing to coordinate the work of a dozen people. In the app, you create a list of tasks for the day - from harvesting to fertilization to machine maintenance. Each task is assigned to an employee, with a deadline and description of the activities. The team reports progress in real-time, and you have a complete picture of the situation.
Many companies offer such solutions. In addition to a crop monitoring module, Agrivi has extensive task management functions. Meanwhile, the AgriTask app allows for creating digital forms for employees and collecting data directly from the field.
Farm machinery under constant supervision
Virtually every large modern farm has its own machinery park. Mobile applications help keep it in good condition by monitoring location, fuel consumption, and service needs.
John Deere Operations Center is a comprehensive machine management platform. It integrates data from onboard sensors, creating a digital image of the entire fleet. The owner receives notifications about oil changes or upcoming inspections.
Telematics systems installed in tractors, combines, or sprayers continuously send data to the cloud. The farmer can check where their machines are currently working, how much fuel they are consuming, and whether they are operating within set parameters. Some solutions also offer remote diagnostics and repair planning.
Analyze data and make better decisions
Mobile programs are also powerful analytical tools. They can combine data from various sources - sensors, machines, drones, or satellites - and turn it into useful information and reports.
Trimble Ag Software is a comprehensive analytical tool that processes farm data and generates detailed reports and recommendations. It is based on machine learning and artificial intelligence, making it capable of predicting yields, detecting anomalies, and suggesting which decisions are worth taking.
With such a platform, the farmer can track, among other things:
- crop conditions;
- fertilizer usage;
- fieldwork costs;
- inventory levels.
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Farm finances always at hand
Managing a modern farm is also a significant challenge for managers. Mobile applications help keep track of finances, monitor cash flows, and plan investments.
AgriWebb is an interesting solution not only for livestock management but also for comprehensive farm financial management. It allows creating budgets, generating invoices, and even handling subsidies or crop insurance settlements.
With it, you can record all expenses and revenues from your smartphone, assigning them to specific crops or fields. Some programs also have modules for warehouse management, allowing for real-time monitoring of inventory levels and values.
Knowledge and support always at hand
Mobile solutions are also a treasure trove of knowledge for farmers. Many of them offer access to extensive databases of agrotechnical advice, information on plant protection products, or weather forecasts.
Syngenta's AgriEdge platform goes a step further by offering farmers mobile expert support. In addition to standard farm management functions, it provides access to a 24-hour hotline with agronomists. The farmer can ask a question in the app, send a picture of the problem, and receive expert advice.
Programs for knowledge exchange among farmers are also becoming increasingly popular. They create communities where farmers can share experiences, offer equipment, or organize joint purchases of production materials.
The future of mobile technologies in agriculture
Mobile applications are just the beginning of the digital revolution in agriculture. New technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence open up more possibilities.
Blockchain enables the tracking of the food supply chain "from field to table." Transparent records allow consumers to verify the origin and quality of products, and farmers to ensure better storage conditions for their crops.
Meanwhile, artificial intelligence will provide even more precise crop and resource management. Machine learning algorithms will be able to predict yield potential, detect plant diseases from images, or optimize fieldwork using local weather and soil data.
Learn more about artificial intelligence in optimizing agricultural processes in our next article.
We can expect that these programs will become more sophisticated, better tailored to farmers' needs, and integrated with other farm systems. They will become indispensable tools in daily work, helping to increase yields, reduce costs, and compete in a demanding market.
If you are a farmer looking to implement mobile solutions on your farm, consider collaborating with an experienced software house like WebMakers. Our experts will help you choose the perfect solutions - whether ready-made systems available on the market or custom-built applications safely integrated with existing systems. Contact us and let’s create a solution tailored to your needs together.
