FAO trains stakeholders to boost crop yields with digital sensor technology

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Mining, conducted a training to equip stakeholders with practical skills in using digital sensors to boost agricultural productivity. Held at the Rural Agricultural Development Authority in Mandeville, the session introduced participants to the use of sensor technology in both protected cultivation and open-field systems.

Conducted under the project “Digital solutions to improve Horticultural Crop Management in the Caribbean,” the workshop covered essential sensor applications, including the operation of water, soil, and environmental sensors.

A total of 29 participants, including researchers, extension officers, and farmers from the government staff and the private sector, gained practical experience with cutting-edge sensor technologies that are transforming the agricultural landscape, helping farmers improve crop management and productivity.

Demonstrations focused on connecting hardware components, activating sensors, and utilizing software platforms to track and analyze key agricultural parameters. Through these demonstrations, participants learned how these sensors provide real-time data on soil moisture, nutrient levels, and environmental conditions, enabling farmers to make timely, informed decisions based on real-time farm data.

FAO’s Lead Technical Officer for the Crop Production and plant protection portfolio, who carried out the training, Melvin Medina Navarro, provided an in-depth introduction to sensor technology and its use in agriculture. Navarro highlighted that “Jamaica will see many benefits from the use of digital sensors in agriculture as this technology provides an opportunity to better understand crop performance through data access in real-time and monitoring of important parameters that directly affect yield and ensure timely decisions.”

The use of soil sensors to measure soil humidity levels, for example, allows farmers to make precise irrigation decisions, conserving water and minimizing resource waste. Environmental sensors offer real-time data that supports tracking a wide range of parameters, while mobile access to this data empowers farmers to take timely actions to protect crops, improve productivity, and enhance food security and food safety.

This initiative is part of an ongoing project designed to promote the adoption of innovative, affordable agricultural technologies. The project seeks to equip farmers in Jamaica with digital sensors and tools to pilot these low-cost solutions, enabling year-round cultivation of high-value crops.