Georgina Knock • Technology
During Covid-19 lockdown Georgina Knock reflected on the role of technology in agriculture and how we embrace digital tools to adapt
Lessons from
Lockdown
“But whilst farming is data-rich, the information is often in silos, collected on paper or simple spread sheets, making analysis and insights tricky”
THE effect of coronavirus has been colossal. Forever an optimist, I try to focus on the lessons we can learn from challenging times. So while lockdown saw a huge surge of consumers experiencing the rollercoaster of sourcing, growing and cooking food in totally new ways, it has probably transformed the food supply chain forever. Adapting with Tech’s toolbox Coronavirus has accelerated changes in behaviour, including how people buy food. What would have occurred gradually over several years, has happened in a handful of months. More on-line ordering of goods from retailers and farm shops has shifted consumer expectations, with technology set to be an increasingly integral part of people’s relationship with food for years to come. In agriculture the tech toolbox is vast, and adaptability is one of farming’s best qualities – from crop and livestock genetics, to sensors in soil and machinery, to applying seed, sprays and fertilisers ever more precisely. Working alongside traditional farming methods these tools improve efficiency and safety, and ultimately help us produce more food whilst impacting the environment less. But whilst farming is data-rich, the information is often in silos, collected on paper or simple spreadsheets, making analysis and insights tricky.
10 • The Farmers Club Winter 2020
We routinely check the news and update our Facebook status on our Smartphones. So why don’t we track crop growth stages, for example, in just the same way? “Maris Piper has just completed its growth cycle #readytoharvest” with emojis optional My Agritech Journey Over the past few years I have enjoyed becoming more involved in managing our family arable farm in Suffolk. I am currently researching irrigation systems and the choice, like tech’s toolbox, can seem vast, especially when factoring in a return on investment to match 5, 10 and 20 year business plans. My previous roles have always involved technology – I find the possibilities fascinating. In January I joined agritech software specialist KisanHub, combining my passions for farming and innovation. For me it comes down to connection, and which tool best connects and optimises what we already have on the farm, for future-proofing the business. Remarkably, during the start of coronavirus, KisanHub had its best quarter of the past two years. More businesses were searching for tools to support and manage their teams remotely, share photos and videos for agronomy advice, and see accurate forecasting for urgent supply.
