Digital agriculture - achievements, problems, plans

The VIII Central Russian Economic Forum is held in Kursk. On 26 of June, one of the events was the round table ‘Digital Transformations in the Agricultural Sector: Digitizing as the most important tool for transition to ‘green’ agriculture’. Thomas Dorenvendt, Director of the Seed production Group AgroTerra’ took part in the discussion on this topic. The Group presented its expert opinion on the future of the agro-industrial complex in Russia.

AgroTerra has been actively implementing digitalization since 2016. For example, the company's mechanization experts now use ‘Agronomist Tablets’ for planning and agricultural support of processes: they monitor air temperature, wind speed. Next season, the gadget will be notified in real time with a ban on spraying as soon as the weather station warns of rain or too high temperatures. This is just a tip of iceberg, explains Thomas Dorenwendt. The industry has a lot of work to do to implement sensors, such as the depth of cultivation. The next stage will also be difficult: the algorithms will have to be created to ensure that the data is accurately interpreted.

Thomas Dorenwendt said: ‘When we used deep analysis in the first year, the results were inaccurate. A year and then two years later, we saw that the system was providing better and better forecasts. It takes another 3-5 years of debugging so that we can, by modelling our actions, more accurately calculate the results of the season, i.e. choose the best option to guarantee maximum profit’.

As Thomas pointed out, further digitalization of technological processes will make personnel even more efficient and production more profitable. For example, up to 5% of chemical costs can be saved by using a metering robot. We can't wait long for stand-alone tractors, says Thomas. One mechanic will be able to drive two or three agricultural machines. But the lack of a legal framework for autonomous transport is still a hindrance to the development of this area.

The closing day of the forum, 27 of June, was opened with the World of Childhood charity marathon race. The company AgroTerra also took part in it, making a charitable contribution. Thomas Dorenwendt ran a five-kilometer distance.