Tech staff urgently needed as the Internet of Things takes off

The agritech industry could find itself competing with Silicon Valley companies for skilled staff as the farming sector moves to take full advantage of new technologies.

That was the prediction yesterday as the industry looks to harness the remote sensing and control possibilities offered by a wider use of the Internet of Things (IOT).

According to independent research commissioned by Inmarstat, the mobile satellite communications company, while the vast majority of agritech companies are moving towards IOT, a significant proportion lack the staff and skills needed to take advantage of the technology.

Commenting on the findings, which showed that more skilled personnel were required, the company’s agricultural development leader, Chris Harry-thomas, said that IOT was at the frontline of the fourth agricultural revolution, providing a digital nerve system with a network of connected and automated devices and sensors.

“Farmers are leveraging these technologies to dramatically improve the efficiency and precision of their operations, automating irrigation systems so that water is only delivered to where it is needed, and optimising fertilisation to improve yields,” he said.

“The automation of these processes is reducing the need for manual intervention on the ground, but creating new requirements for staff skilled in areas such as data analysis and cyber security.”

He said that 65 per cent of respondents identified a shortfall in the skill levels required to take the delivery of IOT forward, while over 50 per cent said they lacked the staff to undertake the work.