Innovating Organic Farming with IoT to Meet Food Demand Sustainably

By IoT For All

The future of agriculture is full of paradoxes, writes Sergio Julián at IoT for All. Solving them is the challenge of our times. In recent years, the adoption of organic farming has witnessed a phenomenal surge in the European Union (EU). The total organic cultivation area in 2019 amounted to an impressive 13.8 million hectares, which accounts for approximately 8.5 percent of the total agricultural land used in the EU. This represents a remarkable 46 percent increase compared to the area dedicated to organic farming in 2012. We will go on to talk about the role of the Internet of Things (IoT) in organic farming.

One of the driving forces behind the rapid expansion of organic agriculture is the growing awareness of the environmental impact of conventional agriculture. Conventional farming methods have been associated with soil degradation, water pollution, and loss of biodiversity. Paradoxically, while we try to meet the growing need for food, we deplete natural resources. In the end, we get less food and less quality, increasing prices and health problems due to lack of nutrients.

In contrast, organic farming places great emphasis on maintaining and enhancing soil health, which acts as a natural foundation for sustainable agriculture. By avoiding the use of synthetic chemicals and embracing crop rotation, cover cropping, and composting, organic farmers nurture soil fertility and structure, promoting a resilient and balanced ecosystem.

As stated in the Libelium Agriculture whitepaper, the agricultural sector is particularly slow to adopt new digital technologies, and many professionals in the sector are still unaware of the benefits that IoT and other connected technologies can bring to their sector. However, to maintain the high production that industrial agriculture still provides, organic agriculture must embrace the latest technology.