Smart farming & ICT in Agriculture

Smart Farming, an innovative approach in agriculture, utilizes cutting-edge Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and data analysis to optimize productivity and precision. The concept of e-agriculture, integral to this approach, employs ICT to provide real-time agricultural data and establish connections between farmers, markets, and consumers. This synergy of smart farming and ICT is revolutionizing agricultural practices, pushing the sector towards enhanced efficiency and sustainability.                                                                      

Demands on the agriculture sector are becoming ever more complex; farmers worldwide need to increase their production in order to feed the world’s growing population. They also must react to new consumer behaviour and corresponding food standards.  

Across all continents farmers face the challenges of adapting to climate change and protecting natural resources. Access to weather data, market information and the visualization of best practice technologies, tips for plant protection and simple tools for efficient production planning can help improve the daily work of farmers.  

Smart farming can support farmers with making more accurate decisions. This can be of great value in reducing the use of plant protection agents, fertilizers and water for irrigation. A range of technologies are deployed for plant-specific crop actions in smart farming such as GPS, sensor technology and robotics. Crop actions at plant level form the basis for the further optimization of the production and improved sustainability of the crops. 

As GOPA AFC, we emphasise smart farming We have successfully executed numerous projects that showcase our commitment to transforming the agricultural landscape. One example is the German-Zambian Agricultural Knowledge and Training Centre (AKTC), a project funded by the German Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL). This is spanning three phases, where we aim to transform traditional farming practices by leveraging cutting-edge technology. The third phase champions the integration of Information and Communication Technology in agriculture. One of the significant milestones was the introduction of the "Variable Rain" service in 2020. Provided by one of our esteemed business partners, this innovative service allows farmers to manage irrigation schedules and control water volumes using a remote sensing system via satellite imaging, leading to considerable water savings. Therefore this project exemplifies our efforts to drive innovation and sustainability within the agricultural sector. 

At GOPA AFC, we see Smart Farming and ICT as a driver for innovation in the agricultural sector. We leverage these technologies to enhance farming efficiency, productivity, and sustainability. By integrating advanced technology with traditional agricultural practices, we're helping shape a more efficient and sustainable future of farming.