The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Challenges need smart solutions
Scottish farmers have never let the grass grow under their feet.
They’ve been at the forefront of embracing technology through every agricultural revolution, so adopting robots, satellites, artificial intelligence and virtual reality has been a natural progression for leading food producers.
Our scientists have also spearheaded research in the field. In Tayside, we have a vertical farm and gene-editing research facility on our doorstep and SRUC researchers are working on gut microbes and selective breeding to help cut methane emissions from belching cattle.
Geneticists are designing the farm animals of tomorrow; the hands-free hectare trial proved that no human intervention is needed to grow a crop; and researchers are working on resilient crops that promise less environmental impact. There are mobile apps, cameras and drones to monitor pests, and sensors for soil sampling.
Given the challenges the industry is facing, we’re going to need every last bit of it.
Concerns over food security will continue to drive global research. Climate change is altering the range of diseases and pests farmers face; agriculture needs to adapt to meet environmental demands for cuts in emissions; waste will have to be reduced; and the labour shortage shows little sign of improving.
But it’s not straightforward. Equipment that is affordable will be rapidly adopted but – like all new technology – the cost of much agri-tech is prohibitive for an average farmer. And then there’s broadband and the lack of adequate internet speed in many parts of Scotland to enable smart solutions to function.
Unlocking that problem needs to be a government priority if the sector is to have access to imaginative solutions that meet the challenges.