Automation is the way of the future, but can it grow your food? Artificial intelligence is strengthening the future of farming, and Whole Foods embraces it. How will robotic farming affect the economy? Find out more below.

Robotic farming invaded the Agricultural Industry

Innovations in robotic farming allow for prompt harvesting of produce. Some machines not only pick fresh fruit quickly but can also identify the ripeness. Through the use of technology, farmers have all the help they need, with fewer labor expenses.

The first automated indoor farm in the United States broke grown in 2018. It spans roughly 3.4 acres, supplying produce to Whole Foods, Kroger, and several others. Since then, the growers known as 80 Acres Farms have expanded with two additional facilities.

“80 Acres” was inspired by the amount of food they can grow, not the amount of land they use to grow it. The facility maximizes the usage of space and practices additional technologies, like robotics, to aid in crop production.

A solution to the farmworker shortage

According to a California Farm Bureau survey, more than 40% of farmers have been unable to obtain all the workers they needed for the production of their main crop. Furthermore, more than half of the farmers surveyed state they use mechanization as a direct result of the shortages.

How does robotic farming affect the economy?

The market expects applications of robots or drones in agriculture to reach $11.58 billion by 2025. Moreover, as food demands increase, and labor decreases, robotic farming will gain a higher stake in the economy. Opportunities in the agriculture robots market, worldwide, will grow for the United States as our technology advances.

The age of farming via robots is here

Robots are a prevalent factor in our everyday lives. The retail industry provides stores without cashiers, is there a possibility farming will follow suit? Only time will tell the long-term impacts of robotic farming on our agriculture. Until then, eat more produce and stay tuned.