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High Tech Skills in Demand in Agriculture

Modern Agriculture

The demand for software engineers and data scientists shows no sign of decline. But the opportunities are not limited to the latest social-networking startup, gaming company, or self-driving cars. By building advanced software, analyzing data, and investing in startups, the leaders of modern agriculture are using advanced technology to give back to the planet.

The practical result of these trends is explosive growth in job opportunities for the tech-minded. A 2015 USDA-Purdue University study estimates 15,000 new science and engineering jobs will be created each year in agriculture through 2020.

"Job opportunities for food, agriculture, renewable natural resources, and environment graduates in STEM areas are expected to grow. Expect the strongest job market for plant scientists, food scientists, sustainable biomaterials specialists, water resources scientists and engineers, precision agriculture specialists, and farm-animal veterinarians."

Employment Opportunities for College Graduates in Food, Agriculture, Renewable Natural Resources, and the Environment, 2015-2020 Joint study from USDA and Purdue University.

Software Helping Machines Talk to Machines

Every year manufacturers unveil farming equipment with more sophisticated technology. Smart tractors record yield data and measure crop-loss, and irrigation systems track water use. These systems often work in isolation, generating enormous volumes of data. The key challenge for software engineers is turning this deluge of information into insights for farmers. Connecting this vast world of sensors, tools, and machines allows growers the opportunity to become more efficient.

[unex_ce_indent_outdent_images layer-name="Software" headline_markup="" img="3050" image-filename="0002_Helping-Machines-Talk-to-Machines-1-1.jpg" image_caption="Image Caption Text" image_caption_color="white" id="content_lcqawe6uo" post_id="894"] <h4>Software Helping Machines Talk to Machines</h4><p>Every year manufacturers unveil farming equipment with more sophisticated technology. Smart tractors record yield data and measure crop-loss, and irrigation systems track water use. These systems often work in isolation, generating enormous volumes of data. The key challenge for software engineers is turning this deluge of information into insights for farmers. Connecting this vast world of sensors, tools, and machines allows growers the opportunity to become more efficient.</p> [/ce_indent_outdent_images]

"We are drowning in information, while starving for wisdom."
-E. O. Wilson

Computer operating systems have always required patches and networking solutions to help them work in harmony. For agriculture, these solutions have the potential to not only help farmers, but also to help reduce the impact of farming on the environment.

Developments like the Internet of Things, wireless connectivity, and bioinformatics are introducing technologies and processes previously not applied to agriculture. Because they help improve efficiency, these tools can help farmers support responsible land management—by potentially consuming less fuel and irrigation water.

The amount of data and number of innovations creates a need for experts who can analyze data, design better software, and imagine technology solutions for tomorrow’s challenges. In this new environment, job candidates who combine these skills with an aptitude for ag science stand to have excellent prospects for employment.

Data Analytics: Providing New Information about Old Soil

It’s hard to exaggerate the importance of soil health. Water use, pesticide and fertilizer use, and overall crop health are all tied to the soil. Even slight alterations of mineral levels, structure, air, water, and microorganisms can impact a farmer’s harvest. Managing soil is infinitely complex.

[unex_ce_indent_outdent_images layer-name="Data Analytics" headline_markup="" img="3051" image-filename="0001_Sensors-in-the-Soil-1.jpg" image_caption="Image Caption Text" image_caption_color="white" id="content_du2zv83xc" post_id="894"] <h4>Data Analytics: Providing New Information about Old Soil</h4><p style="margin-bottom: 42px">It’s hard to exaggerate <a href="https://modernag.org/soil-health/the-benefits-of-fertile-soil/ ">the importance of soil health</a>. Water use, pesticide and fertilizer use, and overall crop health are all tied to the soil. Even slight alterations of mineral levels, structure, air, water, and microorganisms can impact a farmer’s harvest. Managing soil is infinitely complex.</p> [/ce_indent_outdent_images]

SENSORS IN THE SOIL

For some time, modern technology has allowed farmers to monitor how much water, fertilizer, and pesticides1 are being used. Now, the latest soil sensors use optical, mechanical, airflow, and electrochemical technology. These advanced tools can deliver real-time measurements on nutrient levels, soil pH, compaction, and permeability. Each of these factors help growers make decisions that allow crops to absorb nutrients more efficiently.

Investment Trends: Thinking Long-Term about Agricultural Technology

Over the past two decades, technology investment in startups focused on the ag space has exploded. More recently, the years from 2013-2015 each set a new record for total investment in the space, with 2015 producing a total of $4.6 billion invested. 

Investors are known for their ability to identify and support long-term trends. A 2016 report from Goldman Sachs, one of the world’s largest investment banks, estimates that the precision agriculture segment of the economy could provide as much as $240 billion in revenue. This level of investment can lead to employment stability for an entire generation of data scientists and software engineers. 
 

Increasing Efficiency, Reducing Impact

Modern agriculture is discovering that technology is key to understanding our impact on the environment. The next generation of data scientists, software engineers, and startup investors are using this knowledge to build even better, more efficient solutions for farmers. These digital tools, and the people who design and operate them, will continue to provide valuable support for modern agriculture’s quest to make the best use of resources, steward the land, and enhance sustainability.

[unex_ce_indent_outdent_images layer-name="Increasing Efficiency" headline_markup="" img="3052" image-filename="0000_Cyber-Security-on-the-Farm-1.jpg" image_caption="Image Caption Text" image_caption_color="white" id="content_xwbrz1ph5" post_id="894"] <h4>Increasing Efficiency, Reducing Impact</h4><p>Modern agriculture is discovering that technology is key to understanding our impact on the environment. The next generation of data scientists, software engineers, and startup investors are using this knowledge to build even <a href="https://modernag.org/modern-agriculture/growing-efficiently-with-green-data/">better, more efficient solutions for farmers</a>. These digital tools, and the people who design and operate them, will continue to provide valuable support for modern agriculture’s quest to make the best use of resources, steward the land, and enhance sustainability. </p> [/ce_indent_outdent_images]

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