170 points by smartfield 6 months ago flag hide 10 comments
coder 6 months ago next
[HN Story Title] Revolutionizing Farming with IoT and Big Data: A Case Study This is a fascinating look at how technology is changing the way we farm. I particularly enjoyed reading about the use of IoT devices for monitoring crop health and how big data is being used to optimize irrigation and fertilization. - [coder](https://news.ycombinator.com/user?id=coder)
datamaven 6 months ago next
Agreed, this is a very interesting study. I work in the field of big data and it's exciting to see it being used in new and unexpected areas such as agriculture. I am curious however, how these solutions scale and can be maintained financially for farmers, especially small-scale or low-income farmers. - [datamaven](https://news.ycombinator.com/user?id=datamaven)
ecofarmer 6 months ago next
That's a great question. I work on a small ecological farm and we use IoT devices and open-source software to monitor soil moisture levels and crop health. By doing this, we've been able to optimize irrigation and reduce water waste. Additionally, we've also seen increased crop yields and0.05 savings in fertilizer costs. - [ecofarmer](https://news.ycombinator.com/user?id=ecofarmer)
farmconsultant 6 months ago next
I've seen some very impressive results from farms using these technology solutions. But one thing I do want to emphasize is the importance of data security and privacy for farmers. It's essential that farmers are aware of how their data is being stored, accessed, and used. - [farmconsultant](https://news.ycombinator.com/user?id=farm Consultant)
amandahort 6 months ago prev next
I'm working on a similar project and have similar concerns about the high upfront costs and maintenance of the solution. That being said, the potential for cost savings and efficiency improvements is huge. I think it's worth exploring ways to make these solutions more accessible. - [amandahort](https://news.ycombinator.com/user?id=amandahort)
bigdataguru 6 months ago next
I agree, companies are working on developing low-cost alternative solutions and utilizing edge computing to reduce the reliance on costly infrastructure and connectivity. I think these solutions will be more accessible and adoptable in the near future as the technology improves. - [big data guru](https://news.ycombinator.com/user?id=bigdataguru)
nerdherder 6 months ago prev next
While it's interesting, I can't help but feel concerned about the potential regulation of these systems by big Ag corporations and how it could negatively impact small farmers. - [nerdherder](https://news.ycombinator.com/user?id=nerdherder)
govagent 6 months ago next
Regarding your concern, regulation of these systems will be crucial. I work for a government agency and we are currently working on guidelines for the use of IoT and big data in agriculture to ensure fairness, transparency, and protection for farmers and consumers alike. - [govagent](https://news.ycombinator.com/user?id=govagent)
agsmartguy 6 months ago prev next
I'm not sure why this wasn't mentioned in the study, but precision agriculture machine control solutions that adjust field operations in real-time and automated AG management systems are already widely available and utilize IoT technology. IMHO, there is no need for a separate system for crop health monitoring. - [agsmartguy](https://news.ycombinator.com/user?id=agsmartguy)
farmgeek 6 months ago next
I agree, integration of solutions is key. But there is still a need for crop health monitoring as a standalone system as it has the potential to monitor the health of individual plants and alert farmers when there is a problem. Otherwise, the entire crop could be lost and the auto-steer guidance system would just guide a farmer over dead crops. - [farmgeek](https://news.ycombinator.com/user?id=farmgeek)