Introduction
The global population shows no sign of stopping or slowing down and this
intensifies the pressure on farmers to produce more crops and level up their
yield, this is further amplified with the depreciating yield year on year due to
poor soil health.
That's not all, look around – climate change further deepens these worries with
unpredictable weather patterns that lead to more arability and greater soil
health degradation.
Traditional farming methods which are largely based on hit & trial method can
hardly keep up with these demands. Reports by the Food and Agriculture
Organization state that by 2050, we must produce 60 percent more food to feed a
world population of 9.3 billion. (Ref: Future of Farming)
Source: tractorguru.in
Contrarily studies also state that in 1970s 13 kg of foodgrain was produced per
kg of fertilizer, this was reduced to around 4kg of foodgrain/kg fertilizer(Ref: Livemint)
We are doomed if immediate measures are not taken to increase our yield without
compromising on the soil health.
Soil health degradation & lower yield is not just a concern for the farmers but
also a matter of mass concern. Reduced harvests can lead to food shortages,
price hikes, economic instability, and increased social unrest. It might risk
our sustenance and put our natural resources in a deeper crisis.
This article elaborates on the key challenges that hinder a technological
revolution in agriculture, why is it needed & how can AI help us with a yield
crisis at hand.
Problems Faced by Farmers
Here are the major issues that we think foil the farmers the most in this tussle
of maximizing yield and maintaining soil health:
1. Degrading Soil Health
Degrading soil health is a major barrier to maximizing crop yield.
Continuous farming, overuse of chemical inputs, and poor land management strip
soil of essential nutrients and organic matter. This weakens soil structure,
reduces water retention, and diminishes microbial activity—critical for plant
health.
Market data available today suggests that there has been drastic decrease in the
essential nutrients in the soil like Nitrogen, Phosphorous, etc. The worsening
pH level of the soil further leads to increased root damage & fertilizer
inefficiency.
Source: harprenewables.com
Without a healthy soil, plants struggle to access the nutrients and moisture they
need, leading to lower productivity. Restoring soil health through sustainable
practices like crop rotation, organic amendments, and reduced tillage is
essential for long-term agricultural success and food security.
Source: Renature.com
2. Lack of Training & Insights
We may idealize upcoming technologies and theories but are we touching grass and
taking a stock of the reality that the farmers face?
Despite the rising importance of modern agricultural practices, especially in
precision soil management, there's a significant gap in how farmers are trained
and
informed.
Studies by ITU suggest that about 60% of rural areas in developing countries lack
reliable internet access (International Telecommunication Union) This limits
access
to weather forecasts, market prices, and Agri-advisory services.
There are few, if any, accessible institutions offering consistent, practical
training on soil health or the technologies available to monitor and improve it.
This leaves farmers—especially smallholders—relying on trial-and-error methods,
risking both their yield and long-term land productivity.
Source: insightsonindia.com
3. No Consistent Advisory Source
While government bodies, NGOs, and retailers occasionally offer support, there is
no single trusted, consistent advisory source or repository of knowledge they
can rely on.
This disconnect also affects trust. Farmers often feel left behind by systems
that don't prioritize hands-on training, contextual advice, or follow-up
resources.
As a result, innovations in soil health management—like sensor-based nutrient
tracking, satellite data for soil moisture, or AI-based recommendations—remain
out of reach for many who could benefit the most.
Source: iucn.org
Lack of institutions training farmer about modern agriculture practice and the
incorporation of technology with regarding to soil health management.
How Can Technology Aid Soil Health Management
Isn't it surprising how despite the all the talk around supporting farmers there
has been very little effort made to integrate technology with farming.
Technology, especially through precision farming, can revolutionize how farmers
manage soil health. Precision farming uses data-driven tools to monitor,
analyze, and respond to field conditions in real time. It ensures optimum use of
the resources for the crops (what they need, when they need it) to minimize
waste and improve soil sustainability.
Technologies used in precision farming include:
- soil sensors for moisture and nutrient levels,
- GPS-enabled equipment for accurate input placement,
- drones for field monitoring, and
- remote sensing to track soil conditions over time.
Source: Mckinsey
Hence AI (Artificial Intelligence) becomes a game-changer. AI is likely to change
the role of farmers from manual workers to the planners and overseers of smart
agricultural systems. (Ref: Intellias)
Benefits of AI in Agriculture and Soil Health Management
The AI in agriculture market is expected to grow from USD 1.7 billion in 2023 to
USD 4.7 billion by 2028, according to Markets and Markets.
AI algorithms analyze vast amounts of data collected from these tools—soil
quality, weather patterns, crop history—to provide precise recommendations.
For example, AI can tell a farmer exactly how much fertilizer to use in different
areas of the field or predict where soil degradation is likely to occur.
- Targeted nutrient application reduces chemical overuse and preserves soil
biology.
- Predictive insights help avoid soil erosion, salinity issues, or
compaction.Moreover. It can also help farmers predict soil yields for
specific crops
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- Automated monitoring saves time and ensures consistent soil care.
- Resource efficiency lowers costs while increasing yield and soil longevity.
- Crop and soil monitoring through continuous AI-driven monitoring detects
real-time changes in crop health and soil conditions, enabling timely
interventions.
- Intelligent pesticide application through AI ensures pesticides are used
only where and when needed, minimizing environmental impact and reducing
input costs.
Integrating AI into soil health management creates a more resilient, productive,
and sustainable farming ecosystem—giving farmers the tools they need to
regenerate their land, not just cultivate it.
Source: Mckinsey
Improving the Crop yield while Maintaining Soil Health
Balancing high crop yields with long-term soil health is one of agriculture’s
biggest challenges. At MetricDust, we believe Agritech and AI hold the key to
achieving them simultaneously.
Source: housing.com
Agriculture is well staged for an AI integration “because of its high volumes of
unstructured data, significant reliance on labor, complex supply chain
logistics, and long R&D cycles, as well as the sheer number of farmers who value
customized offers and low-cost services.” (Ref:Mckinsey)
AI-powered models can also predict soil degradation risks and recommend
preventive practices like crop rotation, cover cropping, or organic amendment
schedules. Real-time dashboards and mobile alerts can keep farmers informed and
responsive, making proactive soil care easier than ever.
At MetricDust, we're thinking and researching on solutions like:
- AI-based soil health scoring systems for every farm plot.
- Customized nutrient maps for precision fertilization.
- Digital crop advisory integrating weather, soil, and crop data.
- Collaborative knowledge hubs where farmers can access training and
real-world case studies.
Although at a very nascent stage, we are positive that if successful we will be
able to corroborate all theories that we have put forward above with a robust
technology like a repository for farmers to fall back upon whenever they have a
query or may be an app akin to WhatsApp enabled with ChatGPT like features to
communicate 24/7.
Future Implications
Everything discussed in this article barely scratches the surface of the ways in
which AI can be a determining factor in the Agritech revolution.
There are more areas than soil that could benefit from leveraging AI:
- In crop disease detection, AI-powered imaging tools can identify early signs
of disease or pest infestation, enabling timely intervention.
- Supply chain optimization is another area—AI can predict demand, reduce food
waste, and streamline distribution.
- In livestock management, AI tools can monitor animal health, nutrition, and
behavior through sensors and smart wearables, improving both welfare and
productivity.
- Weather prediction models, powered by AI, help farmers plan planting and
harvesting cycles more accurately.
As data becomes more accessible, AI will continue bridging gaps between
traditional farming practices and sustainable, tech-driven agriculture—building
resilience across the entire agricultural value chain.
Conclusion
Sustainable farming is no longer just an ideal—it's a necessity. With soil health
at the core of agricultural success, the integration of Agritech and AI offers a
practical path forward.
Inconsistent and redundant farming techniques have not just increased soil
acidity but have also contributed to decreasing fertilizer efficiency.
From precision farming to AI-powered insights, these technologies help farmers
boost yield while preserving the integrity of their land. However, to fully
realize this potential, consistent training, accessible information, and
trust-building institutions are essential.
At MetricDust, we're committed to creating data-driven solutions that empower
farmers, enhance productivity, and ensure long-term soil resilience—paving the
way for a smarter, more sustainable future in agriculture.
