Technological change has been the major driving force for increasing agricultural productivity and promoting agricultural development in all countries. In the past, the choice of technologies and their adoption was to increase production, productivity, and farm incomes. Over many decades, policies for agriculture, trade, research and development, education, training, and advice have been strong influences on the choice of technology, the level of agricultural production, and farm practices.

Agriculture has continuously been capable of creating nourishment for the world's populace. It dates back well over 10,000 years. Nowadays Farming presently nourishes over 7 billion individuals worldwide, so this measurement alone appears to show how distant the Industry has come in later a long time. (Tillman et al. (2002))

 Advances in innovation in agriculture have made a colossal commitment to the lives of each human being in the world nowadays, both financially and socially. It is not fair an industry it is the establishment of our civilization. Agriculture provides us with the essential basics for living, the nourishment we eat, the dress we wear, and the materials inside of our homes and it gives numerous individuals earnings. Without farming, we would have none of these, matter of reality we would not be able to outlive.

The presentation of modern innovations and logical strategies has had a momentous effect on cultivating division in later decades. Innovation is more important in modern agriculture than before. The industry as a whole is facing huge challenges, from the rising costs of supplies, a shortage of labor, and changes in consumer preferences for transparency and sustainability. There is an increase in recognition compared to the previous years. Today, farmers, advisors, and policymakers are faced with complex choices. They are faced with a wide range of technologies that are either available or under development; they must deal with the uncertainties of both the effects these new technologies will have throughout the agro-food chain and the impact that a whole range of policies will have on the sustainability of farming systems. In addition, there is increasing pressure on agricultural research and advisory budget accommodation.

Agricultural production has increased its automation compared to such in previous years since several companies are working on robotics innovation to develop drones, autonomous tractors, robotic harvesters, and automatic watering and seeding robots. Although these technologies are fairly new, the industry has seen an increased number of traditional agriculture companies adopt farm automation in their companies. Agriculture is becoming more integrated in the food chain and the global market, while environmental, food safety and quality, and animal welfare regulations are increasingly influencing the sector. It is faced with new challenges to meet growing demands for food, to be internationally competitive, and to produce agricultural products of high quality.

The focus of the workshop was the adoption of technologies that have the potential to contribute to sustainable farming systems. Technology adoption, however, is a broad concept. It is affected by the development, dissemination, and application at the farm level of existing and new biological, chemical, and mechanical techniques, all of which are encompassed in farm capital and other inputs; it is also affected by education, training, advice, and information, which form the basis of farmers’ knowledge. It also includes technologies and practices in the whole agri-food sector that have an impact at the farm level. Finally, it should be borne in mind that most of these new technologies originate outside the farm sector.

The concept of a sustainable farming system refers to the capacity of agriculture over time to contribute to overall welfare by providing sufficient food and other goods and services in ways that are economically efficient profitable, and socially responsible, while also improving environmental quality. It is a concept that can have different implications in terms of appropriate technologies whether it is viewed at the farm level, at the agro-food sector level, or in the context of the overall domestic or global economy

Here are some examples of how the application of science and technology has helped to safeguard agricultural produce:

Research efforts, farmer education, and training, advice, and information.

Technology is shifting towards balancing economic efficiency with environmental and social sustainability. Historically, the focus of research and advice was to increase production, productivity, and profits, whereas now the emphasis is on achieving those aims in a sustainable way, which often implies changing farm practices and using different technologies. As has often been the case, agriculture is drawing on and adapting technologies developed in or for other sectors of the economy.

 In the past, research was often directed at solving technical problems; now it is also aimed at defining research priorities and the best technology to address current and future demands by society. Those priorities include biological pest control, biotechnology, information technology, bioremediation, precision farming, and integrated and organic farming systems. Other issues, however, related to the educational and training system, institutions, and the relative role of public and private research efforts are also important. Moreover, some sustainability issues are not necessarily best addressed through technological options, but simply by changing the level and type of agricultural production and its location.

Livestock genetics & breeding.

Over the centuries domestication has evolved into breeding and genetic improvement of livestock. Nowadays breeders measure many different animal traits and choose the best animal to be parents of the next generation. This leads to improvement generation offers through the increased frequency of desired gene variations in the population. Animals over time have improved their efficiency in the production of their products such as milk, Meat, wool, and eggs. This improvement has come through the use of genetics.

Improving livestock breeds is not a new practice. Humans began domesticating animals more than 10,000 years ago. Early farmers selected livestock for their adaption to specific climates and bred them to improve productivity, temperament, and meat, leather, and wool quality. While the practice is not new, the technology used to improve livestock genetics and breed animals has changed dramatically in recent years. Animal geneticists work to identify elements within genes that can enhance animal growth, health, and ability to utilize nutrients. These genetic advances can increase production while reducing environmental impacts.

Specialization.

When my grandparents were my age, farms looked like those in children’s books. They raised a little of everything on their farm. They made a good living and fed their family off 160 acres of corn and hay, a few cows, laying hens, some pigs, and my grandmother’s large garden. Over the years, their farm changed. As they invested in tractors and better livestock facilities, they concentrated their efforts to make the most of those investments. They sold much of the livestock and focused on raising pigs, corn, and soybeans.

Farms today are even more specialized. If farmers raise livestock, they usually raise one type and even focus on one growth stage. Most pig farms specialize in farrowing or finishing. Beef cattle farmers generally have cow-calf herds and focus on breeding, calving, and weaning, or finishing operations where they raise weaned caves to market weight. Specializing enables farmers to acquire the facilities, technology, knowledge, and skills needed to produce the chosen crop or animal, and produce it well.

Livestock facilities.

 Aside from beef cattle, livestock are usually raised inside climate-controlled barns. Farmers do this to protect them from predators, extreme weather conditions, and diseases spread by animals and people. Raising livestock inside also enables farmers to utilize technology. Many livestock barns have Wi-Fi and automated feed and climate control systems. Farmers can monitor a cow in labor or adjust the temperature in a barn from their smartphones. If the power goes out, backup generators start and the farmer is alerted with a text. This technology enables farmers to be more efficient and better care for their animals.

When compared with previous years a herd’s man was employed to guard, graze, and monitor the livestock's well-being. This was a bit of a struggle for the owner and the herd’s man since they had to do a recount and establish the animal’s well-being but the technology and its application, have made it easier hence safe agricultural production

Labor and mechanization.

 Improved farm equipment has probably had the most significant impact on how farmers raise crops and care for livestock. Tractors, planters, and combines are much larger and more efficient. Livestock barns have automated feeders. Robotic milking machines milk cows. These technologies and others have enabled farmers to produce more with less labor.

Crop genetics & pest management.

 Like livestock breeding, the idea of improving plant genetics is not new. Farmers and scientists have used plant selection and breeding techniques to improve crop yield for years. Plant breeders have worked to improve germplasm to develop seeds with the best mix of characteristics to deliver the best yield for specific soil and weather conditions.

Today, plant breeders use a mix of both traditional and modern methods to improve plants. Modern breeding methods include marker-assisted, which helps speed up the time it takes to get the desired improvement, and genetic engineering (GE). GE technology can improve a plant’s insect resistance, drought tolerance, herbicide tolerance, and disease resistance. This technology gives farmers an additional tool to help increase crop yields

Artificial insemination

In animals, the presentation of artificial insemination has made an increment in dairy and nourishment generation for a long time. It has been acclaimed for a long time as being one of the most viable devices accessible to cattle makers. AI, because it is commonly alluded to within the world of farming has been broadly utilized for a long time, but a modern, more complex strategy known as sex-sorted artificial insemination has been invited with open arms by cattle farmers

It offers them the chance to choose the gender of the resulting calf with a high rate of accuracy. Dairy producers may want a female calf, as another female would add to the milking herd, increasing profits. The same can also be said for beef farmers, who will likely want a Charlois bull calf, as they are typically good weight gainers. With the aid of bull & calf, feed that animal should be sold for good money at the livestock mart, where it will likely be slaughtered. This has the potential to change how producers think about breeding, and it will also lead to massive increases in beef and dairy production. (Cothren (2012); Smith (2013))

Crop sensor technology

The use of crop sensor technologies has the potential to completely transform food production, as we know it. These smart sensors can read everything from plant health &

 Water needs of the crop, to nitrogen levels in the soil. The sensors then enable the on-the-go application of inputs based on real-time field conditions. Optical sensing technologies are used to monitor crop health, the process involves measuring light reflectance from the crop that translates into Nitrogen levels. Electronic controllers that are connected to the sensors can signal fertilizer spreaders to apply the correct amount of nitrogen that may be needed. VRT (Variable Rate Technology) is similar in concept

240 to the two above, It instead provides farmers with a built-in prescription GPS map, that identifies what inputs are needed in different areas of the field. By knowing what area of the field is most productive, fertilizer rates can be tailored to increase or decrease at a set time in a set place in the field. This technology is hugely beneficial, as it ensures the application rate applied is most effective for that field. (Pretty (2008)

Radiofrequency definition

Radio Frequency definition or RFID Tags as they are more commonly known, are useful devices employed in livestock to identify animals. They are small computer chips that allow consumers to trace their products back to where they originated. Commonly used by livestock farmers as a form of livestock management. These tags store important information regarding each animal. RFID Tags are a very effective way of speeding up and making record-keeping more precise. Many different countries have used this technology in food production, as a form of food traceability. The tags have also been placed in hay and silage when it is baled.

Telematics

Technology has also changed how farmers operate their machinery. Telematics for instance allows communication between the farmer and his machinery. If a breakdown happens to occur for instance, the farmer can simply access the on-board diagnostic system of the tractor and the system can find a solution to the problem. It can even be sorted there and then. GPS systems have also been made current in tractors and combines, as a result, these machines can more accurately drive themselves through a field than ever before. The farmer only has to tell the on-board computer system the width of the path that the machine will cover and they must drive a short distance marking two points A and B., The GPS then takes over to do the rest. Guidance has proven to be great for tillage as it reduces human error that may result from overlap, as well as reducing fuel and labor costs. We can expect to see this technology more widely utilized shortly. (News (2011)

Finally, I would also like to discuss the potential impact that social media could have on agriculture and food production in years to come. Many farmers worldwide are now using social media as an adequate way of advertising their products. This can allow potential consumers to ask the farmer questions relating to how and where their food is produced. Consumers are often cautious about where and from whom they buy their food, so farmers can reassure them that their business is reputable and the produce in question is of the highest standard. This can be a very efficient form of advertising that can increase a farmer's productivity and sales dramatically because consumers know the farmer's background. They also believe that the food that they buy is of the highest quality. (Dermody (2013))

Conclusion

The introduction of technology in agriculture has led to a massive increase in food productivity as well as removing any concerns relating to a scarcity of food in the future.

Advancements in technology such as crop sensors, irrigation systems, and fertilizers have all helped crop yields meet their maximum potential, and variable rate technologies have also ensured that fields obtain the required amount of input that will as a result lead to huge increases in production. History has shown that farmers have been relatively good down through the years at adopting new methods and technologies. It is well documented in recent years that food production will need to rise by up to 70% in many parts of the world within the year 2050 due to predicted increases in world population. Based on my thesis, technological advancements have adequately advanced to ensure that the Agricultural sector does have the required resources needed to meet these demands.

Nowadays, farmers are making worthy attempts to reduce their carbon footprint.

With integrated pest management tools along with near-smokeless tractor engines and with fewer inputs like fertilizers and nitrogen being used, the agriculture industry has become more eco-friendly. I am confident that if agricultural technologies become more widely used and evenly distributed among all countries, rich and poor we will start to see large gains in food production, even in the poorest of countries.

Genetically modified crops although controversial, will give people in more disadvantaged parts of the world, the chance to grow crops that are drought and pest-resistant.

References

Cothren, J., 2012. What are the advantages of using artificial insemination (AI) in your livestock program? NC Cooperative extension 1, 2.

Dermody, J., 23 September 2013. Social media connects farmers with suppliers and customers. The Irish Examiner.

News, F. I., 2011. Twenty technologies changing agriculture. Accessed online on 3 November 2013. URL http://www.farmindustrynews.com

Pretty, J., 2008. Sustainable agriculture and food. Earthscan, London.

Pretty, J., Noble, A., 10 December 2006. Resource-conserving agriculture increases yields in developing countries. Environ Sci Technol 40 (4), 1114–9

Tillman, D., Cassman, K. G., Matson, P. A., 2002. Agricultural sustainability and improved production practices. Insight review articles, 671–676