The Western Cape Department of Agriculture has commissioned the University of Stellenbosch Business School to research ways to unlock the advantages of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in the province. Research associate Angus Bowmaker-Falconer spoke to Glenneis Kriel.
What exactly is the Fourth Industrial Revolution?
It is a revolution taking place due to machines becoming smarter and things or the world becoming more interconnected, thanks to huge advances in the speed of data processing. It is characterised by a fusion of technologies that are blurring the lines between the physical, virtual and biological spheres.
How does the fourth revolution differ from previous revolutions?
In comparison with the first revolution, which used water or steam to mechanise production; the second, which used electric power; and the third, which used electronics and information technology to automate processes, the fourth will have a much broader scale, scope and level of complexity.
It will fundamentally change the way in which we live, work and relate to one another. Falling behind will have serious economic consequences, not only for individuals but countries on the whole.
What type of agri tech is involved in this revolution?
We are talking about precision and smart-farming technologies, such as software that can be used to monitor and improve production efficiencies; robotics; variable rate technology; remote sensing; and improved seed and plant technology.
For the Western Cape study, we looked at ways to cash in on changes that will happen over the next three to four years through the use, for example, of smart water technology, intelligent irrigation systems, drought and disease-resistant seed and plant material, and the use of remote sensing to early identify production problems and to use inputs more efficiently.
Is South Africa’s agricultural industry lagging behind in this race?
Yes and no. The Western Cape Department of Agriculture has made various technologies, such as Farm Mapper and Fruit Look, available to farmers free of charge to help them break into this new era.
This story is from the Farmer's Weekly 17 August 2018 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Farmer's Weekly 17 August 2018 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Syngenta Seedcare celebrates a decade of innovation
Syngenta's ambition is to enable their customers' investments to grow in healthy soil from treated seeds to young plants through innovation and collaboration, writes Magda du Toit.
Agri workers shine at Western Cape awards
Lindie-Alet van Staden, a garden and olive orchard manager at L’Ormarins Wine Estate in Franschhoek, was crowned as the Western Cape Prestige Agri-Worker of 2024 at a gala event recently held near Paarl.
Small and large farmers recognised at grain awards
The annual Grain SA/Syngenta awards ceremony bears testimony to the quality of farmers in the grain industry.
Growing partnerships: Fedgroup's flexible and innovative approach
Janine Ryan spoke to Warren Winchester, general manager of impact investing at Fedgroup, about why the company became involved in agriculture, and what it offers farmers and their immediate communities.
Why fish farms fail, and how to avoid becoming a statistic
The popularity of launching fish farms is not matched by their success. Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions, explores the factors that cause most of these businesses to go under.
Where history and modernity meet in a luxurious setting
Brian Berkman kept his eyes peeled for ghosts in the oldest continuously run hotel in South Africa, but all he found was a fabulous two-night stay.
THE HITCHING POST
I'm a stylish elderly lady with a radiant glow and a good sense of humour that keeps me young at heart.
Cutworms: check the weeds on your fields!
Zunel van Eeden explains why understanding the ecological interplay between cutworms and weeds is crucial for effective pest management. Producers should disrupt the life cycle of cutworms to minimise crop damage.
Does high-density grazing mimic grazing patterns of game?
In their paper on high-density grazing in Southern Africa, professors Angelinus Franke and Elmarie Kotzé from the Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences at the University of the Free State say high-density grazing systems may not accurately reflect natural ecosystems. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports.
Global grain outlook: 2024/25 marketing season
In its latest summer crops report, the Crop Estimates Committee says South African farmers intend to plant 4,47 million hectares of summer grains and oilseeds in the 2024/25 season, up 1% from the previous season. As South Africa exports maize and soya bean, Annelie Coleman reports on the latest trends in the international grain and oilseed markets, amid fluctuations in weather conditions and ongoing armed conflicts.
