10 Importance of Electricity In Farm Operations

Importance of Electricity In Farm Operations.The increase in the price of electricity makes them develop new supply methods.Electricity plays a crucial role in modern farm operations, revolutionizing agriculture in numerous ways. Here are ten key reasons why electricity is important in farm operations:

10 Importance of Electricity In Farm Operations.

1. Powering farm machinery: Electricity provides the energy required to operate various farm machinery such as tractors, combines, planters, harvesters, and milking machines. These machines increase efficiency and productivity on the farm, enabling tasks to be completed more quickly and effectively.
2. Irrigation systems: Electricity powers irrigation systems, including pumps and sprinklers, which are vital for maintaining optimal soil moisture levels. This ensures crops receive adequate water, promoting healthy growth and maximizing yields.
3. Livestock management: Electricity is used to operate equipment essential for managing livestock. It powers ventilation systems, lighting, heaters, and cooling systems in barns or poultry houses, creating comfortable environments for animals. Electric fences are also used to contain livestock and protect them from predators.
4. Grain drying and storage: Electricity is necessary for operating grain dryers, which remove excess moisture from harvested crops to prevent spoilage. Additionally, electricity powers grain storage facilities, including temperature control systems, fans, and augers, maintaining the quality and marketability of stored grains.
5. Dairy operations: Electricity is crucial for dairy farming, powering milking machines, cooling and refrigeration equipment for milk storage, and automated feeding systems. It ensures efficient milk production, maintains milk quality, and enables proper dairy product preservation.
6. Processing and packaging: Many farms engage in value-added activities such as processing and packaging their agricultural products. Electricity powers processing equipment, including mills, presses, mixers, and conveyors, facilitating the transformation of raw produce into marketable goods.
7. Lighting: Adequate lighting is essential for farm operations, especially in areas such as barns, storage facilities, and workspaces. Electricity enables the use of lighting systems, improving visibility, safety, and productivity during early mornings, evenings, and nighttime tasks.
8. Temperature control: Electricity powers climate control systems such as heaters, fans, and air conditioning units in farm buildings. These systems help regulate temperatures, ensuring optimal conditions for plants, animals, and workers, regardless of external weather conditions.
9. Data collection and analysis: With the increasing use of precision agriculture, electricity is vital for operating sensors, cameras, weather stations, and other monitoring devices. These devices collect valuable data related to soil conditions, weather patterns, and crop health. Analyzing this data helps farmers make informed decisions and optimize their farming practices.
10. Renewable energy integration: Many farms are adopting renewable energy sources such as solar panels or wind turbines to generate electricity. This enables farms to reduce their reliance on the grid and lower their environmental impact. It also provides opportunities for farms to generate income through selling excess electricity back to the grid.

Overall, electricity is indispensable in modern farm operations, enabling increased efficiency, productivity, and sustainability, while supporting the growth and success of the agricultural industry.

Advantages of using electricity to irrigate

Electricity provided water extraction methods with a series of advantages:

1. The use of electrical energy facilitated obtaining from greater depths, by means of a pump
2. Installation cost was relatively similar to other media
3. The space required was less, since electrical machinery does not usually have large dimensions (let’s go back to the example of a medium-capacity water pump, which does not take up much space and is easily installed).

However, the lack of electricity in many rural irrigated areas , the cost of copper, and the lack of security in agricultural spaces generated discomfort that halted this progress. In fact, the price reached by the light has generated an imposition on many farmers to continue using this method for their irrigation methods. The installation of solar panels is notorious in the data and in the fields. And it is that according to information from the Spanish Photovoltaic Union , in 2020 13% of photovoltaic installations were for self-consumption. Spain has around 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, which is a competitive advantage both for self-consumption and for large-scale generation of electricity using solar panels.. This can be an advantage, but at the same time it gives room for competition and speculation (given that the land surface is what it is, that is to say: limited). Many companies may be interested in installing new photovoltaic fields in agricultural spaces , which would mean a loss of farmland.

Is there a possible symbiosis between agriculture and solar electricity production?

The installation of energy alternatives in agriculture is the order of the day. The Government of Spain has placed an important focus on reducing the consumption of non-renewable energy in agriculture , promoting the installation of photovoltaic panels through subsidies and energy efficiency methodologies. Currently, several studies are being carried out in search of the symbiosis between the production of electrical energy through solar panels in agricultural fields . An example is the Endesa project called Agrivoltaica , within the European Green Pact, which seeks methods of obtaining clean energy in agricultural spaces in coexistence. Other electricity companies, such as Iberdrola, are also committed to the search for new renewable energies that help to have efficient and sustainable electricity generation systems.

A report from the Oregon State University (USA) reflects benefits in horticultural crops, where the shade and the contribution of water from solar panels can help produce up to two or three times more fruit and vegetables than conventional agricultural facilities, reflecting especially in crops with leafy vegetables such as spinach, lettuce, or tuberculosis plants such as potatoes, carrots, radishes or beets. Undoubtedly, we are in a new impasse in irrigation methods in agriculture , where we are not only looking for alternatives but also sustainability and improvements that provide necessary food for a growing population.