Right now, the agricultural industry is in the midst of a major shift. Our global climate is changing, and our population is growing, and farmers have had to implement new technologies in order to meet demand. In fact, global agricultural production will need to increase by 70% between now and 2050 to meet the needs of our growing population. Automated farming equipment helps farmers meet this increased demand while also improving the quality of their crops, reducing their environmental impact, and cutting back on labor costs.
For many global agricultural producers, one of the biggest challenges is getting this specialized equipment from Point A to Point B. Whether you’re shipping a new piece of equipment from the manufacturer or transferring equipment between farms, you need to make sure this valuable technology arrives at its destination safely.
Let’s take a closer look at how this technology is changing the agricultural sector and why reliable shipping solutions are so important.
Robots and Automated Farming
Robots are no longer a thing of the future — in fact, many of the world’s largest farms are already using them to handle a variety of tasks. These range from simple picking-and-packing to more complex maintenance tasks like seeding, irritation, and weeding.
Robots can range widely in size, from small harvesting tools to massive self-driving tractors.
Any repetitive task in a farm’s operations has the potential to be automated with the right technology. In addition to standard robots, many farms use drones to monitor their crops in real-time. Smart technology is also helpful for managing temperature and airflow in greenhouse settings.
Robots and other automated technologies offer a variety of benefits for farmers. These include:
- Precision: Robots dramatically reduce the amount of errors in the farming process, and they also help farmers address problems immediately when they do arise. This level of precision helps farmers produce high-quality crops and avoid long-term problems.
- Reduced labor costs: By investing in automated technology, farmers can cut down on labor costs in the long run and make their business model more resilient. This is particularly attractive given the economic ups and downs of the past few years, as well as labor shortages in many parts of the world.
- Increased productivity: Robots can work around the clock if necessary, allowing farmers to significantly increase their output and manage higher demand levels.
- Sustainability: Automated technology helps farms manage their energy and water use. This technology also helps farms minimize their reliance on pesticides and fertilizers, reducing their overall negative impact on the environment.
These huge benefits make automated technology an extremely attractive investment for any farmer, particularly in today’s competitive global economy. While many farms are already investing in robotics, this trend is likely to pick up further steam over the next decade. Technology will continue to evolve, providing even more ways for farms to implement automation in their operations.
How Bespoke Equipment Shipping Services Benefit The Farming Industry
In order for farms to implement these exciting new technologies, they’ll need access to reliable shipping services. This is particularly important for agricultural companies with a global presence who need to manage multiple farms around the world.
Many types of automated farming equipment require specialized handling while in transit.
In particular, many types of modern agricultural equipment are either too large or simply not shaped to fit in a standard shipping container, so freight forwarders must develop custom solutions to keep them safe while in transit.
Another huge challenge for any company shipping agricultural equipment is cleaning, USDA inspection, fumigation, and of course export and import customs clearing.
Atlantic Project Cargo already has established freight operations for farm equipment worldwide, making it easy for agricultural sector clients to set up shipments and directly impact the well-being of individuals, farmers, and industries.
