There’s some interesting stuff being developed in Britain.
Originally shared by Judah Richardson
Robots could take care of every stage of the growing process: mapping the land, planting seeds, caring for the crop, forensically weeding, then harvesting.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/20/space-robots-lasers-rise-robot-farmer
Interesting. And the farmers who were laid off would do…what?
Interesting. And the farmers who were laid off would do…what?
As I read it, this opens up the possibility to have more farmers, not fewer. The number of agricultural jobs has been shrinking steadily and rapidly for… a century? More? In part, that’s because of huge agribusinesses taking over and making smaller, family-owned farms unable to compete. This tech works better for small farmers, and puts them back on an equal footing with the large ones.
As I read it, this opens up the possibility to have more farmers, not fewer. The number of agricultural jobs has been shrinking steadily and rapidly for… a century? More? In part, that’s because of huge agribusinesses taking over and making smaller, family-owned farms unable to compete. This tech works better for small farmers, and puts them back on an equal footing with the large ones.
Of course, huge agribusinesses would use these robots on a large scale as well, so…
Of course, huge agribusinesses would use these robots on a large scale as well, so…
The article suggests they’re more suitable for smaller farmers, though.
The article suggests they’re more suitable for smaller farmers, though.
True, but I would assume that huge agribusiness will look for a way to adapt them to a larger scale. That tends to be what they do.
True, but I would assume that huge agribusiness will look for a way to adapt them to a larger scale. That tends to be what they do.