Rethinking Smart Farming beyond Yields

Machines working fields autonomously, satellites measuring nutrient levels in the soil at all times and fertilizer application adjusting to the weather conditions – Smart Farming makes it possible. Smart Farming describes the integration of digital technologies into agricultural processes such as autonomous robots, remote sensing and the Internet of Things (IoT). This makes it possible to process large amounts of data quickly and target-oriented. Yet these targets must be clearly defined. 

“Smart Farming can do more than increase yields and productivity of agricultural land”, says Wolfgang Weisser, professor for Terrestrial Ecology at TUM. The targets should therefore include ecological aspects as well, such as biodiversity.

What is the potential of Smart Farming for biodiversity?

First, with Smart Farming, autonomous robots can replace heavy machinery with smaller, centrally controlled units, reducing soil compaction and helping preserve healthy soil that supports biodiversity. Secondly, remote sensing enables precise field monitoring, targeted fertilization, and selective weed and disease control, which lowers the use of chemicals and protects beneficial organisms. Thirdly, the Internet of Things connects machines with real-time weather and field data so processes like fertilizing or spraying only happen under suitable conditions, avoiding environmental harm and strengthening ecosystems.

The researchers assume that the biggest impact on biodiversity will be observed off-site, beyond the agricultural field (see Figure 1). “When less fertilizer can be applied, at the best time and precisely where it needs to be, we can reduce the runoff of nitrogen,” says Prof. Sebastian Meyer, a senior researcher in the group. The effect on biodiversity on-site is, however, not as clear.

The biodiversity benefits of Smart Farming are not guaranteed

„We are facing quite a philosophical question, really”, says Rafael Achury, postdoctoral Scientist at the Chair for Terrestrial Ecology. “With every technological advancement, it is just assumed that it will be an improvement in all senses – almost as if it would be inevitable. Yet, this is not the case.” The researchers point out that Smart Farming, without explicit biodiversity targets, could result in even more detrimental impact on the environment than conventional farming systems.  

For one, the smaller, autonomously driving robots could lead to landscapes being repurposed for agriculture that are currently not used, such as edges or slopes. Thus, these areas would only be lost for wildlife and plants. Secondly, the precision of Smart Farming applications may lead to a further reduction of natural diversity within agricultural land as Smart Farming may, even more than is already the case, remove every single unwanted plant on the field. Thirdly, the supply and production chain of the technologies used in Smart Farming applications require many resources.

“There is the need to move away from blind faith in technology towards a clear impact assessment”, emphasizes Rafael Achury.

“We need to have this discussion – together”

The researchers argue that these challenges could be addressed and overcome by making sure that Smart Farming applications consider ecology and biodiversity as well. “We need to have this discussion now and define what we want and expect from Smart Farming”, says Wolfgang Weisser. However, these objectives and their translation into software can not be defined by one discipline alone. “Experts from Software Engineering, Information Technology Science, Agronomy and Ecology have to work together to ensure that biodiversity becomes a part of Smart Farming.” "Biodiversity is part of our life-support system and having biodiversity can be very beneficial for farming, such as healthy soil or predators for biocontrol” adds Robin Heinen, the plant ecologist in the group. 

Furthermore, the implementation of Smart Farming should also consider geographically specific requirements. In the Global North, yields are high but intensive agriculture has led to a greater loss in biodiversity. In the Global South, the agricultural yields are not yet maximized, while biodiversity in the regions is usually higher. Accordingly, Smart Farming applications should focus on preserving the biodiversity that is left and increasing it in the Global North, and not prioritize yields as much, while in the Global South, increasing yields should remain a priority while also making sure that the rich biodiversity is not lost.