Is software feeding the world?

My own theory is that we are in the middle of a dramatic and broad technological and economic shift in which software companies are poised to take over large swathes of the economy… In short, software is eating the world.”

-Marc Andreessen, Partner, Andreessen Horowitz

Agriculture is one of the world’s largest, regulated and important industries. Over the past fifty years, productivity, as measured on a yield/acre basis, has increased tremendously. However, this efficiency has led to an unsustainable system. As I’ve written in the past, agriculture is the biggest contributor to climate change, generating 30 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. 

One way to create a more sustainable system is through the use of technology to facilitate economic and environmentally sustainable decisions for farmers. And what better way to empower sustainability than through the use of technology?

Big data is arming farmers with tools to make informed, sustainable choices. For example, Solum, a VC backed ag-tech startup, provides startups with soil measurements and data that allow for the more precise application of fertilizer. This takes the guesswork out of fertilizer application reducing the amount of nitrates in the soil.

There are numerous examples: 

• Aerial imagery or satellite imagery can show a farmer how a crop is growing and help identify problem areas and facilitate specific management decisions.
• High resolution spatial maps can lay out soil moisture levels to guide efficient use of irrigation.
• Farmers can get detailed maps of pest damage to target more precisely pest control applications.

As we enter a period where more sustainable farming methods are a must, the role of software to feed us and create a better system is undeniable.