Experts from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have identified five of the most promising types of digital agriculture technologies for farmers in Tajikistan.

They were discussed at the presentation of the preliminary results of the “Feasibility Study of Digital Farming Possibilities in the Khatlon Region of the Republic of Tajikistan”, which took place on August 28 in Dushanbe. We explain what these technologies are.

Agricultural drones

Agricultural drones are an innovative solution to increase farm productivity and efficiency.

They provide precise information about the area, relief, and soil specifics. In an hour of drone flight, it is possible to collect detailed information about a land area of ​​16-20 hectares, create a 3D relief model, sow seeds evenly and accurately, apply fertilizers and necessary pesticides.

The introduction of one agricultural drone into agricultural production costs a farmer approximately $21 thousand.

An agrodrone (for example, the XAG V40 UAV) costs $18,000, batteries and software cost $1,000, and training and maintenance cost an average of $2,000.

The use of an agrodrone will reduce the cost of fertilizers, chemicals and seeds by 30%, thanks to their precise application, and will increase crop yields by an average of 20%.

Smart greenhouses

Smart greenhouses are advanced technological solutions with a controlled environment that allow year-round cultivation of high-quality agricultural crops. Innovative greenhouses can significantly increase productivity and reduce labor costs. Smart greenhouses are equipped with lighting systems, climate control, irrigation, heating and carbon dioxide enrichment.

The cost of installing smart greenhouse technologies varies greatly depending on the equipment supplier, the size of the farm, and the technologies used. Basic low-tech systems cost $30,000 and up, while advanced high-tech systems cost $100,000.

Smart greenhouses will increase the yield by 30% or more compared to traditional farming. If in open ground, under optimal weather conditions, on average, you can get 40-50 tons of tomatoes per 1 ha, then in smart greenhouses – 55-80 tons per 1 ha. In addition, unlike traditional seasonal farming, in smart greenhouses you can grow crops all year round.

It is also worth noting the reduction in costs for fertilizers, watering and other things within 20-30%.

Smart Pest Traps

Smart insect traps show significant potential to improve pest control. These traps use advanced technology to monitor pest populations and provide timely warnings for necessary actions. They reduce the use of chemicals, increase crop yields, reduce manual labor, and reduce the time to detect pests.

The cost of purchasing and installing smart traps averages $300-500 per unit. Operating costs are low due to the use of solar energy and cloud storage. Periodic maintenance is $500 per year. Installation and training of smart trap technology is estimated at around $1,000.

Smart traps reduce the use of various chemicals to a minimum, reduce the use of manual labor and increase crop yields.

GPS\GLONASS monitoring system

GPS/GLONASS technologies are used to obtain information about the state of fields based on satellite data, aerial photography, weather data, and readings from ground sensors.

Field sensors cost $500-$1000 depending on the type and features. Platform access costs between $200 and $1000 per month depending on the services. Initial training and support is estimated at around $1000.

The economic benefit of using GPS is that, due to the establishment of optimal monitoring and control, savings in resources (water, fertilizers, pesticides, etc.) are achieved by 20% and crop yields increase by the same amount.

Smart irrigation systems

Smart irrigation systems combine Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, artificial intelligence and cloud computing to provide precision irrigation, reduce costs and increase crop yields.

When using a smart irrigation system, depending on the type of soil, crop and terrain, water savings can be up to 50%.

The cost of purchasing and installing equipment (sensors, controllers, etc.) taking into account the complexity of the system ranges from $2,000 to $6,000. System support services are estimated at $300-500 per year. Electricity costs for pumping systems depend on tariffs and volumes of use.