Nanotechnology in farm machinery: New opportunities and perspectives

Abstract

Agriculture as a source of food is becoming increasingly important in a world of diminishing resources and an ever-increasing global population. It is necessary to utilize future ready solutions like nanotechnology to increase global food production, enhance food quality, and reduce waste for sustainable intensification. The potential uses and benefits of nanotechnology are enormous. Productivity enhancement through nanotechnology-driven precision farming and maximization of output and minimization of inputs through better monitoring and targeted action is desirable. Nanotechnology is the creation of devices and machines on an atomic level which will be a driving force for the next generation. Nano can be technically defined as manipulation of matter with at one dimension sized from 1 to 100 nanometers (0.000000001 m). The nanotechnology revolution had a ground-breaking impact in multidisciplinary fields, and there are likely to be considerable advantages in the field of agricultural engineering in the near future. Nanotechnology is expected to have a massive impact on the world food supply chain. It was found that nanotechnology can impact so many areas of farm machinery, and it has created a more significant impact on the manufacturing and service sectors. The recent advances in nanotechnology-based tools and techniques can address the various problems of conventional agriculture and can revolutionize the industry. In the present scenario, Nanotechnology is used in the manufacturing of agricultural equipment, production of nano-polymer composites, metal nanocomposites, paints, resistivity coatings in machinery, sensors used for precision farming, and lubricants.