From rural radio to mobile phones, ICTs are transforming the way smallholder farmers obtain information essential to improving their farm productivity or market their produce. Mobile apps are mushrooming for a wide range of tasks, including money transfer, price information, advisory services, weather plant health, farm management, veterinary services and data collection.
Who would have believed twenty years ago that the government would be able to monitor cash flow, urban security, demographic data, and oil theft using artificial intelligence systems and communications technology? Who would have believed so much could be achieved from something called the blockchain in such a short time? –Think steem. Today with the aid of ICTs the world has been transformed into a global village, we have 24/7 banking, online marketing, upto-date data analysis of import and export, smart contracts, electronic voting systems and a lot more to mention.
Several industries have jumped in* on the bandwagon of ICT as the trend keeps pushing on the high. Some of such industries are the agricultural industry, tourism and culture, health and global security.
In this article, however, I shall be discussing ICT as it relates to agriculture and global security.
Growth of ICTs in agriculture and their applications.
The global community in the 21st century has shifted its reliance on analog systems and crude technologies to digital technology. As a result of this drift, the agricultural sector is obviously not an exception. We have seen a whole lot of technological transformations in the agricultural sector which has helped to reduce human labour and cut cost of production. The ongoing digital revolution really is a step in the right direction.
Briefly highlighted below, are some of these contributions which would cut across all areas of agriculture:
The use of remote sensing and geographic information systems in monitoring movements and positions of livestock animals and aquatic creatures.
Comprehensive mapping and monitoring of gully erosion in the south eastern Nigeria. This is aimed at soil erosion inventory, erosion risk assessment and soil erosion modeling.
The application of remote sensing/geographic information systems in flood risk assessment of the Niger delta and part of river Benue.
Geographic positioning systems (GPS) technology used in land surveying.
Satellite imagery used in earth observation to help protect forest in Djibouti which is subject to great pressure from deforestation.
The use of mobile apps, –such as agrobase and flowerchecker– to help identify plants and flowers.
Automatic index insurance compensating technology for weather-related losses in agriculture. This would help boost the confidence of these smallholders, and prevent many failures of farms due to natural losses.
Metrological technology for weather monitoring, control and improved farm management.
Fertilizer application and plant growth level using geographic information systems technology.
Remote controlled solar irrigation system for farms.
The use of a smartphone application called Lab-on-mobile device (LMD), for detecting Aflatoxins disease in plants.
The role of ICTs In Global security and Economic Management.
Information and communications technology have played a vital role in advancing global security, through the use of surveillance and intelligent systems in theft monitoring, graft investigations, criminal identifications and anti-warfare security management system. The utilization of computer technologies in various areas of economic management has risen to be really quite extreme, especially in areas such as the banking sector, demographical analysis, statistics and management.
Some of the contributions and utilizations of ICTs in global security and economic management have been summarized as follows:
The use of satellite radar and GPS technology in monitoring of movements at international borders.
The use of thermo-sensors, weight-sensors and sound-sensors in monitoring strong rooms of banks.
The use of computer controlled Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and drones in combating global terrorism and oil bunkering.
The use of scanners at ports to detect drug trafficking, and other harmful items.
Also, the wide adoption of Automated Teller Machines and programmed bank alert systems, has brought on the possibility of efficient and up-to-date banking in real-time.
Rear-surveillance cameras in vehicles and CCTVs in street corners have been used to monitor criminals and delinquents.
The use of electronic banking systems in enhancing foreign exchange, international money transfers and tracking of money laundering, and systems for enhancing fire security and burglary management.
From what we have seen so far, We can boldly say that ICT has played numerous vital roles in modernizing the global community, –Just as we have seen in agriculture– and in enhancing global security.
Hence, this article could be used to enlighten and challenge agencies and private organizations not only to utilize the computer technology on ground, but to also fund more research towards the advancement of these systems, and invention of more technologies to ensure dynamism in innovation.
References consulted:
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Thank you for reading.
Until next time,
@pangoli.
Ict has really assisted agriculture and food supply. There are recent technologies that aid extension of shelflife for easily perishable farm products such as tomatoes...thanks @pangoli for creating awareness concerning Agric and food production improvement ...
You're welcome dear...
Detailed and highly informative post. Thanks for this awesome material.
Good research, seems like you took time and interest to really go deeper in to the subject of agriculture and food production efficiency!
Yes, I am fascinated by the future of ICT and it's innumerable usefulness to mankind. Agriculture is no exception
Darn man! This is too good. ICT has changed everything for mankind. Those who don't key in are left behind.
What are steemstem still waiting for?
Welldone bro. Keep repping!
#AIR-CLINIC
Thanks bro... 😎
Well put together, thanks for sharing.
Hey jeline, so nice of you to stop by... Living the dream yeah? 😎
Of a truth ICT has really brought about developments which has made life easy... Thanks for sharing
True that... Food would be in shortage of supply because of the ever increasing population growth if not for ICT and technology
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very good explanation and references of communication IT & technology keep it up
Thanks