As the agricultural sector continues to embrace cutting-edge technologies, a growing chorus of voices is urging a more balanced approach, one that doesn’t lose sight of the foundational resource: the soil. Precision agriculture, artificial intelligence (AI), and robotics are revolutionizing farming, but experts caution that these tools should serve a well-defined goal, not become the goal themselves.
Precision agriculture, which uses data and advanced equipment to apply inputs with greater accuracy, has evolved significantly. It now allows for real-time control of fertilizer application, reducing waste and improving efficiency. AI, meanwhile, is being harnessed to process complex data quickly, offering insights that can save time and energy. Robots, too, are making their mark, with machines now capable of milking cows, cleaning barns, and even targeting weeds.
However, Jon Stika, a retired soil health instructor and author of “A Soil Owner’s Manual: How to Restore and Maintain Soil Health,” warns against becoming too enamored with technology. “We have to remember that technology is a tool, not a goal in itself,” he says. The real goal, he argues, should be a combination of short-term and long-term profitability, sustainability, and a good quality of life.
Stika’s concern is that technology, if not used wisely, could inadvertently degrade the soil with greater precision and efficiency. He advocates for a more thoughtful approach, one that addresses the root causes of agricultural problems rather than just their symptoms. “Why is a current system of production not profitable? Because of spending too much money on input costs to produce my crop. Why? Because the soil is not infiltrating water or providing nutrients to the crop as it should,” he explains.
The solution, Stika suggests, lies in restoring soil health. A healthy soil requires fewer inputs, reducing costs and improving profitability. To achieve this, he recommends four key principles: disturbing the soil less, increasing plant diversity, maintaining living roots in the soil, and keeping the soil covered with plants and their residues.
With the advent of new technologies, applying these principles has never been easier. For instance, precision agriculture can help reduce soil disturbance, while AI can aid in planning diverse crop rotations. Robots, too, can play a role, such as by planting cover crops to keep the soil covered.
The implications of this approach are significant. By focusing on soil health, farmers can not only improve their bottom line but also contribute to the sustainability of rural communities. As Stika puts it, “Restoring soil health is not only a question of stewardship, it is a question of profitability and the viability of rural communities.”
In this era of rapid technological advancement, the challenge for farmers will be to harness these tools in a way that serves their goals, not the other way around. As Stika’s insights suggest, the key to achieving this may lie beneath our feet, in the very soil that sustains us.
