Electricity and Control November 2023

SENSORS + SWITCHES

Sustainability from farm to table In the global calendar October is marked as World Food Month. It is a month dedicated to raising awareness about food security, hunger, and the importance of sustainable agriculture. In this digital age, technology plays a pivotal role in addressing these challenges.Technology is revolutionising the food industry: enhancing productivity, reducing waste, and contributing to the global effort to eliminate hunger.

Sustainable farming Sustainability was a central theme of World Food Month. Sustainability in food production encompasses a holistic approach to harmonising the steps and processes from the field to production and distribution and, in parallel, mitigat ing environmental impact and promoting long-term wellbe ing. It involves managing resources and processes metic ulously to achieve energy efficiency, resource optimisation, waste reduction, innovative production techniques and continuous improvement. Ifm’s smart sensor solutions sup port sustainable farming practices by helping farmers use resources more efficiently. Sensors help farmers to optimise irrigation, fertilisation, and pest control, and thus reduce the environmental impact of agriculture while increasing yields. Precision agriculture One of the key aspects of modern agriculture is precision farming. Here, Ifm electronic’s sensor technology and au tomation solutions enable farmers to optimise their agricul tural processes, improving efficiency and productivity. Effi ciency in food production entails a strategic and systematic approach that aims to optimise processes, resource use

and overall operational efficiency to achieve higher produc tivity, reduce costs and improve product quality. With great er efficiency, food manufacturers can gain a competitive advantage, reduce environmental impact, and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient industry. Water management Freshwater is a precious and limited resource. The irriga tion of fields and greenhouses still accounts for around 70% of water demand. Food producers are under pres sure to improve productivity while maintaining animal wel fare, sustainability, and profitability. ifm provides water cost saving solutions suitable for outdoor and indoor farming, livestock, aquaculture, and the production of alternative proteins. It also provides solutions for the production and storage of raw materials. For a water-saving, productive and sustainable future, ifm’s digital solutions support intel ligent agriculture. Its smart sensor solutions help farmers optimise their water usage by providing accurate data. This information allows farmers to irrigate their fields when and where necessary, reducing water wastage and conserving this vital resource.

Food safety and reducing food waste Prioritising food safety and min imising food waste are global concerns. Food safety in food processing means automated sys tems, technologies, and process es used in food production need to maintain or improve the safety and quality of the final products. Ifm’s range of process sensors with IO-Link technology are used to monitor various parameters during food processing, transpor tation, and storage. The sensors used can self-monitor their status to ensure accuracy and reliability in meeting food safety standards. Holistic digitalisation solutions can improve traceability by accu rately recording and tracking the flow of ingredients and products. This real-time monitoring helps maintain the quality and safety

Ifm’s smart sensor solutions support sustainable farming practices.

16 Electricity + Control NOVEMBER 2023