AI to the Rescue: Navigating Drought in Agriculture
Utilizing AI for Farmers to Conquer Drought Challenges
dealing with a lack of rain, scorching heat, and endless sunshine - farmers are struggling harder than ever due to climate change. This spring, the fields are distressingly dry and crops are in growing peril as farmers long for the life-giving rain. But there may be a tech-savvy solution: AI on the farm.
Currently, parts of Germany are grappling with below-average rainfall, with an average precipitation of 60 liters per square meter last month - a paltry third of the usual spring rain. In dire need of water, crops are succumbing to drought stress. "Rape and cereals need water now," says crop expert Frank Schiffner of the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern farmers' association.
In the hard-hit northern regions, precipitation levels have plummeted to 10% of the expected rainfall. The soils are deprived of moisture, even in the deeper layers, threatening crop health and overall productivity. "If it doesn't rain soon, growth will stagnate, pods will not develop properly, and grains in the ears will remain small," warns Schiffner.
Katrin Drastig, an expert at the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Technology and Bioeconomy in Potsdam, echoes this concern. She spoke with ntv.de about the potential for "uneven growth and patchy stands" if the drought persists. A definitive assessment of harvest losses can't be made, but Drastig expects "negative consequences" for summer crops if the situation remains dry.
This dry pattern, however, is not entirely without cause. Over the years 2023 and 2024, Germany experienced more than average precipitation, allowing farmers to store excess water in the soil through seedbed preparation. This water reserve is dwindling as drought conditions take hold, leaving nature running on fumes.
When Rain is a Luxury: AI to the Rescue
Faced with increasing water scarcity and unpredictable rainfall patterns, farmers must adapt. Groundwater reserves are diminishing, and the shifting weather patterns make rainfall unpredictable. "Water is lacking when it's needed," laments Drastig. "It's lacking in spring and it's lacking in summer. Increased winter rainfall doesn't necessarily help."
However, the costs and technical barriers of irrigation make it a challenging solution. Most farmers in the northeast do not have the necessary technology or water rights for irrigation. Additionally, irrigation comes with costs – water costs money, and energy for the pumps requires payment.
But hope remains in the form of Artificial Intelligence (AI). "The topic of AI in irrigation is barely being used, but it's an emerging market, with many scientists currently involved," says Drastig. With precision irrigation, humongous amounts of water could be saved, as the system intelligently controls irrigation amounts and timing based on individual plant needs. AI would facilitate precise irrigation recommendations, potentially minimizing waste and optimizing crop health.
Moreover, big data will become increasingly relevant to agriculture. The incorporation of machine learning models for optimized irrigation management takes center stage. These models utilize weather and soil data to predict water demand and optimize irrigation plans, helping farmers make informed decisions and improving irrigation efficiency.
In the future, fields may take on a different appearance, growing drought-resistant crops among others. "Expanding crop rotations in Germany and Europe with more plants - particularly legumes (pulses) - is a building block for a resilient agriculture," explains Drastig. "We can also plant crops that germinate earlier or consider cover crops that perform better under dry conditions, like chickpeas."
By employing AI, farmers can strengthen their resilience against drought, optimizing water use and adapting to a changing climate.
Implementing AI in agriculture could provide a viable solution for the ongoing water scarcity and unpredictable rainfall. By using precision irrigation and machine learning models for optimized irrigation management, farmers can save vast amounts of water and make informed decisions that improve irrigation efficiency (Environment, Technology, AI, Agriculture, Irrigation, Climate-Change).
Furthermore, with the help of environmental science and collaboration among scientists, the development of AI within the agricultural sector has the potential to introduce more drought-resistant crops, expanding crop rotations and leading to a more resilient agriculture system (Environmental-Science, Agriculture, Drought-Resistant Crops).
