Advancing Sustainable Agriculture through Engineering Innovations
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63282/3050-922X.IJERET-V2I3P110Keywords:
Sustainable Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering, Engineering Innovations, Precision Farming, Eco-friendly Farming, Agricultural Technology, Agri-Tech Solutions, Environmental Sustainability, Crop Management, Innovation in AgricultureAbstract
The growing concerns with respect to the sustainability of agriculture globally, as well as the need for increased food security and the preservation of rural economies, are driving the search for new ways to develop sustainable agriculture practices. The need for sustainable agricultural practices will require significant technological innovation to maintain agricultural productivity in the face of climate change and to protect natural resources such as water and soil. Three emerging trends in the area of sustainable agriculture include: (1) Precision irrigation systems; (2) Automation and precision agriculture through the use of sensors and big data; and (3) Community-based watershed management. The objective of this paper is to examine the potential for innovative technologies to provide solutions to the major problems facing the development of sustainable agriculture globally. This paper reviews current literature and academic research related to innovative technologies for sustainable agriculture. A key theme in much of the literature reviewed in this paper is that the effective development of sustainable agriculture will depend upon the adoption of integrated, holistic approaches to agriculture that incorporate both technology and social aspects of the practice. This paper provides a broad overview of current thinking on the role of technology in promoting sustainable agriculture. Specifically, this paper discusses the role of precision irrigation, automation, and big data in providing solutions to the major problems facing the practice of sustainable agriculture. Finally, this paper discusses the importance of the development of community-based watershed management initiatives to provide additional support to sustainable agricultural practices
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