AI tells Luxembourg farmers how much fertiliser to use
Dan Meyers, Unsplash
The Luxembourg Ministry of Agriculture has responded to a parliamentary enquiry about the impact of artificial intelligence on the agricultural sector. According to the ministry, AI is already actively used in farming, winemaking and livestock breeding.
Modern tractors and agricultural machines are equipped with sensors that analyse the soil and regulate the use of fertilisers, seeds and crop protection products. AI enables the identification of zones with different yield potential, which helps to reduce costs and environmental impact.
Winemakers will soon be able to use an AI app to optimally prune vines, and predictive models are already helping to predict plant and bee diseases based on weather station data.
In the livestock industry, AI is being used to monitor the health of livestock. Special collars and pedometers track cow activity, helping to identify metabolic problems and reduce the need for antibiotics. Data from milking robots is also analysed for early detection of diseases.
In addition, satellite monitoring with the help of the European Copernicus programme allows controlling agricultural land in automatic mode. This tool helps farmers to make adjustments to land records without the need for additional reporting to state authorities.
Despite the active use of AI in agriculture, there are no special educational programmes on this topic yet. However, the ministry is funding 13 research and innovation projects that are already benefiting the agricultural sector.
The use of AI in Luxembourg agriculture is just gaining momentum, but it is already increasing farmers' efficiency, reducing costs and minimising environmental impact.
