The future of agricultural technology is rapidly developing, and with the help of the Internet of Things (IoT) and edge computing, agritech companies are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. As cloud-based networks and machine learning systems become increasingly implemented, agritech companies are constructing innovative systems that allow for improved analysis and precision in modern farming. Here are a few of the most promising agritech companies to watch as the industry continues to develop.

1. Agritech Transforming With the Power of IoT and Edge Computing

The Internet of Things (IoT) empowered by edge computing is revolutionizing the agricultural industry, allowing agritech companies to increase production by reducing costs and improving the efficiency of farming and food production processes. Intelligent sensors connected through IoT networks are providing food producers with real-time data insights into the conditions of crops and livestock, helping them make more informed decisions.

Here are some of the ways in which IoT and edge computing are transforming the agritech industry:

• Intelligent Automation – Edge computing helps farmers automate tedious and repetitive land management tasks, from sprinkler systems to pest control.
• Data Streamlining – Automated data collection, analysis, and visualization helps farmers identify problems quicker, enabling them to reduce losses from pest infestations and disease.
• Yield Maximization – IoT sensors help provides highly accurate, real-time soil analysis data which helps farmers optimize fertilization and irrigation practices for better crop yields.
• Precision Agriculture – GPS-based systems powered by edge computing enable farmers to accurately control the use of resources such as water, fertilizer, and herbicides, helping them make more educated decisions on how to best organize their land.

The possibilities of IoT and edge computing are endless and are certain to impact the agritech industry in more and more powerful ways. With the ability to analyze data more quickly and intelligently, agritech companies can become more proactive in their farming and food production practices, creating a more efficient and productive process.

2. Mapping the Agritech Landscape: The Companies to Watch

Unveiling the Fresh Faces of Agritech

The agritech sector has been blooming of late, spurring a wave of new entrants to shake up the industry. As the agritech space continues to rapidly evolve, these innovative companies are paving the way for the future of agriculture. Following is an examination of some of the most promising agritech firms on the rise:

• Ceres Imaging is transforming the power of aerial imaging to enhance agricultural yields.
• Plantix is leveraging AI technology to provide farmers with detailed crop diagnosis.
• Farmshots is revolutionizing the use of data to create informed agronomic decisions.

And that’s just the start — with the rise of mobile, cloud, and analytics technologies, agritech companies are finding more ways to support farmers and revolutionize the agricultural industry. Agribotix is capitalizing on drone- and image-processing technologies to streamline crop scouting operations, while Granular is providing smart data-driven insights for manage agronomic operations. Lastly, Agua Robotics is rolling out an innovative autonomous cloud-driven irrigation which leverages AI technology to save water resources and monitor crop health.

These startups are opening up a world of possibilities in the agritech frontier — redefining the process of farming and paving the way to a more sustainable future.

3. Bringing the Farm to the Table: Harnessing the Benefits of Edge Computing and IoT

Increasing Efficiency with IoT
The ever-growing Internet of Things (IoT) is playing a major role in modern edge computing. Sensor-based technology is connecting the growing world of farm machinery and equipment to larger communication networks. This technology enables farmers to receive real-time updates on various stages of crop production, making it easier to address any potential problems quickly and efficiently:

• Precision agriculture is becoming more precise with the introduction of sensors that collect and process data.
• Automation of routine field tasks gets rid of the need for manual labor and eliminates tedious calculations.
• Weather forecasting systems help prevent crop losses due to adverse conditions.

Improving Quality with Edge Computing
Edge computing can also provide a direct link between connected devices and the farmer’s table. Initial data processing is done at the edge of the network, thus reducing latency and improving the overall quality. This ensures that data from a farm is up to date and relevant. As a result, farmers can better monitor the values and conditions of their crops, from soil quality to temperature and moisture levels.

Another benefit of edge computing is the ability to track the production process from start to finish. Being able to collect, store, and analyze this data all in one place gives farmers better visibility into the whole process. This allows them to optimize the entire journey from field to kitchen table and increase the quality of produce at every step.

4. Innovating Agriculture: Why Agritech Companies Matter

Innovation within the agricultural industry is vital for tackling the global challenge of food insecurity and climate change. Agritech companies are now an integral part of making a change. Here’s why:

• Improving production quality: Agritech reduces the costs involved in harvesting, storing, and managing crops, improving crop yields and quality. For example, farmers can use precision agriculture tools to better assess their soil and apply fertilizers in response.
• Reducing wastage: Applying big data solutions to current agricultural practices allows farmers to better predict weather changes and identify weak points, thereby reducing wastage from overproduction or spoilage.
• Enhancing climate resilience: Climate change has major implications for agriculture, particularly those operating on a small scale. Agritech is helping farmers develop solutions to minimize the threats posed by floods, drought, and variable temperatures, allowing for greater resilience.

In addition, agritech allows for better traceability, and thus, greater transparency. This provides consumers with the assurance of food provenance, which increases trust with the public.

The world of agritech continues to evolve, and emerging IoT and edge technologies are among the most significant forces driving innovation and modernization. From the companies featured here, keep an eye out for those that continue to make major strides in the industry—and perhaps a few more that may join their ranks!