kaushikpande
Wed, 07/07/2021 – 20:03
INTRODUCTION
In an age of climate change, diminishing resources, and increasing population – we need to use our ingenuity to explore new avenues of sustainability. It’s clear that humans will need all the help they can get when it comes to managing our planet and its resources. Recently, artificial intelligence has been emerging as a possible solution to the complex problems facing society today.
Artificial intelligence is a broad term that encompasses any computational process that exhibits the characteristics of natural intelligence. These include: advanced learning capabilities, complex reasoning skills, cognitive empathy, and even the ability to experience emotions. AI has already proven its usefulness in a number of industries,such as gaming, robotics and business management. Now it’s time for our environment to tap into this potential too.
AI in sustainable development
According to recent Study conducted on the effect of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Via Artificial Intelligence study on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets internationally agreed in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Based on study AI may act as an enabler on 134 targets (79%) across all SDGs, generally through a technological improvement, which may allow to overcome certain present limitations. However, 59 targets (35%, also across all SDGs) may experience a negative impact from the development of AI. Shown in Graphical Representation below.
Based on 17 Goals which are divided into 3 fundamental divisions 1.Social 2. Economical 3. Environmental
1. Social Impact:
Sixty-seven targets (82%) within the Society group could potentially benefit from AI-based technologies. AI may act as an enabler for all the targets by supporting the provision of food, health, water, and energy services to the population. It can also underpin low-carbon systems, for instance, by supporting the creation of circular economies and smart cities that efficiently use their resources
2. Economic Impact:
The technological advantages provided by AI may also have a positive impact on the achievement of a number of SDGs within the Economy group. According to the Study it’s been identified that benefits from AI on 42 targets (70%) from these SDGs is Positive, whereas negative impacts are reported in 20 targets (33%).
3. Environmental Impact:
For the Environment group, we identified 25 targets (93%) for which AI could act as an enabler. Benefits from AI could be derived by the possibility of analysing large-scale interconnected databases to develop joint actions aimed at preserving the environment.
AI in Agricultural Development
Artificial intelligence can be used in all three phases
1. Pre-cultivation phase.
In this phase the crop type, soil conditions and weather patterns are to be analysed first. Then these data sets are used to develop the artificial intelligence algorithm which will be used to monitor soil quality, moisture levels, weather patterns etc. Then the algorithm will suggest the best time to sow or transplant the crop. So if any human intervention is required minimum will be required.
Analysing market demand AI can simplify crop selection and help farmers identify what produce will be most profitable Crop based on Region and soil quality. Managing risk Farmers can use forecasting and predictive analytics to reduce errors in business processes and minimize the risk of crop failures.
2. Crop Cultivation and harvesting phase.
AI can monitor the state of plants to spot and even predict diseases, identify and remove weeds, and recommend effective treatment of pests. That being said, AI can also gather soil health insights, provide fertilizer recommendations, monitor the weather, and track the readiness of produce. All of that enables farmers to make better decisions at every stage of the crop cultivation process.
3. Post harvesting Phase.
Post harvesting is one of the most important part of any farmer’s economy, for which intensive care is required most importantly post harvesting crop Storage. As all the profits and cost recovery are based on what quality product is being harvested.
Time of harvest and market area where one can get maximum profit can be easily predicted by Artificial intelligence based on crop type and by doing market trend analysis to point out maximum profit providing markets.
Conclusion
The benefits of AI in agriculture are undeniable. Smart farming tools can perform small, repeatable, and time-consuming tasks so farm workers can use their time for more strategic operations that require human intelligence. However, it’s important to realize that unlike a normal equipment, one can’t just buy AI and start it. AI is still developing which Agricultural tools are being improved every day.
In this background, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a new technology for the agricultural sector. Soon enough AI will be Dominating player in Environmental Technology.
