Precision farming is a method of growing in which the correct amounts of inputs are used to achieve higher average yields than conventional cultivation techniques. The use of GPS and satellite technology allows application with incredible accuracy and makes it possible to maximise crop outputs while minimising inputs.
There are several benefits to precision farming, including increased yields, more efficient land use, reduced environmental impact, and enhanced economic returns. Many farmers have also found that this method can reduce production costs through the use of fewer inputs.
Precision farming is becoming increasingly popular among modern farmers as they look for ways to boost efficiency and maximise profits in a competitive marketplace. If you’re looking to take advantage of these advantages and improve your operations, consider switching to a precision farming strategy today!
In short, precision farming is the term used for when high-tech tools and software are employed in order to manage a farm. This includes things like using artificial intelligence or IoT in order to make the most efficient decisions that lower costs while also maximising productivity and profit.
Precision farming is about applying precisely the correct amount of inputs at precisely the right time and place in order to achieve a particular outcome. It takes a whole approach to field and soil health management that increases yield quality and quantity while minimising environmental damage.
A farm management system that is based on information and technology recognizes, analyzes, and manages variation in fields by executing agricultural procedures at the appropriate place and time for maximum profitability, sustainability, and protection of the land resource.
Although a lot of research has gone into it, precision agriculture (PA) technologies are still only used by a minority of farmers. PA is an approach to reorganising the total system of agriculture towards low-input, high-efficiency and sustainable agricultural practices.
It is a resource-conserving and environment-friendly concept that brings together a complex network of technologies, practices and approaches.
In general, Precision agriculture seeks to optimise profitability for each farm by making use of information about the spatial variability in external factors such as climate, soil type, topography, pests and diseases. This makes it possible to target resources more precisely where they are required.
The policy approach to promote precision farming at farm level
- Identify the market gaps that crop-specific precision farming might exploit.
- Precision agriculture requires agricultural scientists from multiple disciplines, engineers, manufacturers and economists to study the comprehensive functionality of precision agriculture.
- Provide complete technical backup to farmers who want to build prototypes or models that may be implemented on a large scale.
- To demonstrate the outcomes of precision agriculture implementation, a pilot study should be conducted in farmers’ fields.
- Increasing understanding among farmers of the consequences of applying imbalanced doses of agricultural inputs like irrigation, fertilisers, insecticides and pesticides
Why precision farming
- To increase agriculture productivity
- Prevents soil degradation
- Reduction of chemical application in crop production
- Efficient use of water resources
- Dissemination of modern farm practices to improve quality, quantity and reduced cost of production
- Developing favourable attitudes
- Precision farming changing the socio-economic status of farmers
Advantages
- Agronomic perspective
- Technical perspective
- Environmental perspective
- Economic perspective
Technology
- Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers
- Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS)
- Geographic information systems (GIS)
- Remote sensing
- Variable Rate Applicator
- Combine harvesters with yield monitors
Need For Precision Farming In India
Precision farming technologies enable farmers to increase productivity and profitability by making the best use of resources. By leveraging these tools, farmers can make more efficient decisions about seed selection, irrigation, fertilisation, and crop monitoring.
This is the ultimate objective of precision farming: to produce more with less material while still maintaining high standards of quality.
India’s main priority is to increase food production without having to use more water or fertilisers. Additionally, it is essential that the Soil’s physical and chemical qualities are not deteriorated in the process- this is the only way a sustainable food production model can be put into effect.
Precision farming has the potential to revolutionise agriculture in India by allowing farmers to produce high yields without having a negative impact on the environment.
Components of Precision Agriculture
The soil pH, nutritional status, pest infestation, yield rates, and other factors that influence plant growth are all used to divide the field into “management zones” called “grids,” based on soil pH.
The first component of precision agriculture is the use of global positioning satellites (GPS) receivers and differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) to precisely map the spatial variability of external factors in a field, such as weather and soil composition.
The second component is remote sensing technologies, such as hyperspectral imagers, which use light spectra to determine plant stress levels, nutrient uptake, and leaf area index.
The third component is a geographic information system (GIS), which allows farmers to overlay different layers of data and analyse the spatial relationships between them. This allows farmers to better understand how different management zones interact with each other, and how to optimise their use of inputs across the entire field.
Finally, variable rate applicators are used to apply different doses of inputs to each management zone. For example, a combine harvester equipped with a yield monitor can adjust the amount of fertiliser applied based on local soil variation, resulting in more efficient use of resources while still achieving optimal yields.
Overall, the combination of these tools and techniques enables farmers to make more informed decisions about how to best manage their crops in order to achieve high yields while minimising the environmental impact.
Mapping
The primary and most crucial step in precision agriculture is generating maps for crop properties and soil. By measuring spatial variability, these maps will then be able to provide the foundation for controlling it.
To ensure a successful crop production, data must be collected both before and during the process. This data is then further strengthened by gathering accurate location coordinates via GPS.
Ground soil sampling, yield monitoring, RS, and crop scouting are examples of data collection technologies. Data are collected using sensing instruments such as soil probes, electrical conductivity, and nutrient status in cropland during production. During field operations, RS can be used to create maps; GIS is also useful for this purpose. Manually gathered data may be integrated into maps.
Global Positioning System (GPS) Receivers
Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers are a key component of precision agriculture. Using satellite signals, GPS receivers precisely measure the geographic location and elevation of a given point.
This data can be used to generate maps of crop properties and soil variation across a field or farm, which allows farmers to more accurately determine how and where to apply inputs such as water, fertiliser, pesticides, and seed.
The ability to obtain real-time accurate location information allows soil and crop measurements to be plotted. GPS receivers, which may be carried or installed on instruments, allow field personnel to visit past points of interest and collect or treat samples there.
Yield Monitoring and Mapping
Another important component of precision agriculture is yield monitoring and mapping. This involves using a specialised sensor to collect data on the amount of crop produced in a given area, which can then be used to optimise input usage based on actual crop yields.
Yield monitors can be used with a GPS receiver to provide yield data, which may then be used to create yield maps. Yield measurements are critical for making wise management decisions.
Remote sensing
Remote sensing refers to gathering information from a distance. This can be done with handheld devices, cameras mounted on aircraft or satellites. These tools provide valuable insight into a wide range of agricultural processes and phenomena, including plant health, crop growth and development, soil variation, and local weather conditions.
Precision farming relies on remotely-sensed data to evaluate crop health. Overhead images can often easily detect plant stress related to moisture, nutrients, compaction, crop diseases and other plant health concerns.
Electronic cameras can also record near infrared images that strongly relate to healthy plant tissue. Remote sensing provides real-time data that can be used to improve crop yield and profitability.
Remotely-sensed images can determine the location and extent of crop stress, helping farmers to understand what is causing the issue. By providing visual insights, a spot treatment plan can be developed and implemented that maximises the use of agricultural chemicals.
Geographic information systems (GIS)
Computer hardware and software that focus on feature attributes and location data in order to create maps is known as a geographic information system (GIS). A GIS is a powerful tool that can be used to store and retrieve data.
It’s important to keep track of what you’re growing, how well it’s growing, and whether or not you should plant more of it. A GIS may save time by storing layers of information such as yields, soil survey maps, remotely sensed data, crop scouting reports, and soil nutrient levels.
Geographically referenced data can improve the visual interpretation of your data by adding a spatial perspective. In addition to basic storage and display, GIS can be used for more sophisticated analyses, such as creating alternative management scenarios or considering the trade-offs between different management options.
Quantifying on Farm Variability
Every farm has its own set of challenges. Not all of the techniques described above will aid in determining the reasons for field variation, and it would be prohibitively expensive to implement them all at once. A cautious approach with one or two of the tools at a time is preferable, and careful evaluation of outcomes is essential.
Soil Variation
A spatial variable is soil variation. Water retention or organic matter variation, as well as topography, provide a more fascinating perspective on a field where a grower places inputs or modifies the soil. Other variables may be added to this plot to produce a series of interacting components.
Variability of Soil Water Content
The temporal and spatial variability of soil water content can have significant impacts on both precision agriculture and water management. Remote sensing is useful in determining soil water content variation because it can be measured at a high frequency and spatial resolution.
Having a solid understanding of how water is distributed underground could act as a foundation for better irrigation and lead to various cost savings, such as energy, water usage, equipment expenses, labour. Ultimately this would result in increased productivity.
Time and Space Scales
Precision Agriculture demands an understanding of how time and space scales interact. Time scales are crucial because you have to take action when it will impact the crops positively. Additionally, space scales matter because different inputs and practices work better on various types of soil or depending on whether there are a lot of pests or not, etcetera. The challenge then becomes using time and space scale effectively in order to improve our Agricultural Management processes overall.
The Way Forward
By definition, precision farming is “a farm management concept based on observing, measuring and responding to inter and intra-field variability in crops.” By adopting this newer technology, India has the chance to revolutionise its current farming practices with digitally transformed agricultural practices.
Precision farming has plenty of possibilities for farmers in developing countries such as India to use sustainable methods, increase production, and increase farm revenue.
The Green Revolution’s long-term effects on environment and soil health have been disastrous. Precision farming can help reverse the consequences of the Green Revolution and bring about a new era of Evergreen Revolution.
However, similar to the United States and Europe, precision agriculture in India is gradually being developed and adopted. The small size of farms and fields present in most of Indian agriculture restrains economic gains that could be reaped from available precision farming technology.
In order to fully take advantage of the benefits of precision farming, it will require a significant amount of investment and resources.Despite the challenges that remain, it is clear that precision farming has the potential to transform India’s agricultural landscape for the better.