Robotics in Agriculture, Advantages and Disadvantages, UPSC Notes

In agriculture, robotics is revolutionising the way farming is done. By automating tasks such as planting, harvesting, weeding, and pest control, these robots significantly increase efficiency and productivity. They enable precision agriculture, allowing farmers to use resources like water, fertilisers, and pesticides more effectively, thus reducing waste and environmental impact. 

According to UN predictions, there will be 9.7 billion people on Earth by 2050, leading to a significant increase in global food demand. Therefore, the use of modern technology including robotics has become crucial in agriculture in India and the world.

Role of Robotics in Agriculture

Automation and mechanisation of farming have the capabilities to revolutionise the farming sector in terms of production and productivity of the sector. In this regard, robotics plays a crucial role in the development of Agriculture in several ways such as:

Agricultural Robots

• Planting and seeding: Agribots can assist in planting seeds and transplanting seedlings.
• Livestock management: In livestock farming, robots are used for tasks like feeding, milking, and monitoring the health and behaviour of animals.
• Harvesting: Robots are increasingly used for harvesting crops. They can be programmed to identify ripe fruits and vegetables and pick them without damaging the produce or the plant
• Precision Agriculture: These robots embody the principles of precision agriculture, where tasks are performed with accuracy and efficiency.
• A few examples of Agricultural Robots include
  • Green seeker sensor: It employs sensors to determine the needs of plants and administer fertilisers or herbicides with accuracy. 
  • Robotic drone tractors: They make key decisions such as when to plant when to harvest, and how best to route farm machinery. 
  • Flying robots: These autonomous machines keep an eye on crop conditions and apply fertilisers on their own. 
  • Robots for picking fruit: Agribots like Suction Grippers are used to pick fruit without harming it. 
  • Automated milking: It reduces the need for human labour by milking cows

Advantages of Robotics in Agriculture

The integration of robotics in agriculture has brought about numerous advantages, significantly transforming the sector. These benefits range from increased efficiency and productivity to environmental sustainability.

• Increased efficiency and productivity: Robotics can operate continuously and perform tasks faster and more accurately than human labour. 
• Precision agriculture: Robots equipped with sensors and GPS technology can perform tasks like planting, weeding, and harvesting with high precision. For example, precision application of water, pesticides, and fertilisers can reduce the overall environmental footprint, minimising soil compaction, and preventing runoff and pollution.
• Improved quality and consistency: Robots can perform tasks with a high level of consistency and precision, which can improve the overall quality of agricultural products. For example, robots can harvest fruits without causing damage, ensuring that the produce reaches the market in the best possible condition.
• Crop health and soil conditions: With advanced sensors and data analysis, agricultural robots can monitor crop health and soil conditions, making real-time decisions for optimal crop management. This technological advancement is particularly crucial in addressing labour shortages and increasing food demand.
• Scalability and flexibility: Robotic systems can be scaled according to the size and needs of the farm. They offer flexibility in operations, as they can be reprogrammed and adapted to different tasks and conditions.

Challenges of Robotics in Agriculture

The adoption of robotics in agriculture represents a major shift in modern-age farming. However, It also faces several challenges that must be addressed to fully realise the potential of robotics in agriculture. These include: 

• High initial cost: The initial investment required for agricultural robots can be substantially high for many farmers, particularly a large number of small and marginal farmers in the majority of low- and middle-income countries whose majority of GDP is still dependent on agriculture.
• End user compatibility: The end users of robotics in agriculture are farmers who are not yet aware of the usage of emerging tech like robotics. This necessitates additional training and education, which can be a barrier to adoption and effective use.
• Dependence on technology: An over-reliance on robotics and automated systems can make farmers dependent on these technologies which are often under the control of corporations, thus creating the same troubles for farmers which biotech firms patents created. In cases of technical failures or malfunctions, farming operations could be significantly disrupted.
  • Further, if Artificial Intelligence(AI) surpasses human intelligence, then it will directly impact food security.
• Compatibility with existing systems: Integrating new robotic technologies with existing agricultural practices and equipment can be challenging.
• Environmental impact: While robots can potentially reduce the environmental footprint of farming, there are concerns about their impact, including energy consumption and the disposal of electronic waste.
• Limited functionality and adaptability: While agricultural robots are advancing, they may still lack the versatility and adaptability of human workers. They might struggle in unstructured environments or with tasks that require complex decision-making and dexterity.

Application and Initiatives in India

Given the vastness and diversity of Indian agriculture, robotics and automation are being explored in various areas to enhance productivity, efficiency, and sustainability. A few of the examples are:

• E-Krishi Yantra: This is a multifunctional robotic system that can plough, plant seeds, apply fertiliser, and spray pesticides with precision.
• Krishibot: It is an autonomous weeding robot developed by a Kerala-based firm that finds and removes undesired weeds from crops.
• AI-Kisan: It is an AI-powered robotic system that can evaluate soil conditions, monitor crop health, and make real-time watering and fertilisation recommendations.
• Milagrow Agribot: This is a harvesting-focused agricultural robot. It uses advanced vision technologies and robotic arms to detect ripe fruits and harvest them gently without harming the trees.
• Bharat Agro Robot: This is an autonomous robot that helps farmers spray pesticides. It uses artificial intelligence and sensors to calculate the best amount of pesticide to use and the regions that need to be treated
• MITRA: The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) created it. It's a humanoid robot that can do things like seed sowing and fertiliser application.
• AI-Sow: It is a cutting-edge agricultural robot built for seeding duties. It sows seeds precisely at the required depth and spacing using artificial intelligence and computer vision.

Effective use of robotics in agriculture would lead to increased efficiency, productivity, and sustainability in the sector. However, there is a need to have a balance between the use of robotics and human intervention. Technology should be limited to a point where there are chances of Human error and failure but the decision-making authority should lie with humans. 

Robotics in Agriculture FAQs

Q1. What is agricultural robotics?

Ans. Agricultural robotics involves the use of robots and automated technology to perform farming tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.

Q2. How do agricultural robots benefit farming?

Ans. These robots increase efficiency, reduce labour costs, minimise human error, and can operate in various weather conditions, enhancing overall agricultural productivity.

Q3. How do agricultural robots impact employment in farming?

Ans. While they can reduce the need for manual labour, they also create new technical and supervisory roles, shifting the job landscape in agriculture.

Q4. What are the challenges in implementing agricultural robots?

Ans. Challenges include high initial costs, the need for advanced technological infrastructure, maintenance requirements, and adapting to diverse farming environments.