Precision Agriculture- By Anjali Patel (IGKV Raipur, C.G)

1. Speaker:
Anjali Patel
PhD (Agronomy)
INDIRA GANDHI KRISHI VISHWAVIDYALAYA, RAIPUR

2. OVERVIEW
 Definitions
 History
 Needs
 Concept
 Objectives
 Prospects
 Components
 Opportunities
 Requirements
 Applications
 Advantages
 Limitations
 Conclusion
 summery

3. DEFINITIONS
 “Precision agriculture can be defined as the application of
principles and technologies to manage spatial and temporal
variability associated with all aspects of agricultural production
for the purpose of improving crop performance and
environmental quality.”
(Pierce and Nowak, 1999)
 “Precision farming is also referred as site specific farming, smart
farming and GPS (Global Positioning System) based farming.”
(Palaniappan, 2002)
 “Precision farming is the only solution to identify the causes of
variability within the field and to carefully tailor soil and crop
management to fit in each cultivated field.”
(Gautam and Sharma, 2002)

4.  “Precision farming can be defined as farming system, which
enables profit to be maximized and where inputs (tillage
operations, seed, fertilizer and chemicals) are varied
according to the yield potential of individual parts of a
field. It facilitates the optimal use of inputs, resulting in
increased gross margins with reduced impact on the
environment. It is sometime known as Variable Rate
Technology (VRT) and site specific agriculture.”
(Sahoo et al., 2002)
 “Precision agriculture is defined as the management of
inputs to small plots as a function of diversity of the
physical medium and the enviroment.”
(Escribano et al., 2001)
Cont…

5.  The term precision agriculture appears to have been
used first in 1990 as the title of the workshop held in
Great Falls, Montana, sponsored by Montana State
University. Before this in 80’s, the terms ‘site-specific
crop management’ or ‘site-specific agriculture’ were
used.
 The concept of precision agriculture is not a new thing,
but the terminology is of recent origin.
 The present status of precision agriculture is similar to
no tillage concept of 1960.
HISTORY

6. NEED FOR PRECISION AGRICULTURE
 Increased land degradation.
(in India, about 144 million ha of land are affected by
water or wind erosion alone)
 Depletion of water resources.
 Socio economic need for enhanced productivity/unit of
land, water and time.
 Environment pollution because of increased use of
fertilizers and chemicals.
 PA is essential in order to address poverty alleviation,
enhance quality of life and food security.

7.  40-60% higher yield
 First grade marketable produce
 Weight by volume is 25% higher
 30 % premium price in the market
 5-6 days more shelf life
 Less labour dependence
 30-40% water economy
 Extended crop harvest
 Empowerment of farmers.
Precision Farming Models Ensure….

8. S.No. Precision Farming Traditional Farming
1. Farm field is broken into
“management zones”
Whole field approach where field is
treated as a homogeneous area
2. Management decisions are based on
requirement of each zone
Decisions are based on field averages
3. PF tools (e.g. GPS/GIS) are used to
control zone
Inputs are supplied uniformly across the
field
PRECISION FARMING V/S TRADITIONAL FARMING

9. Concept is simple……
 Right input
 At right time
 In right amount
 At right place
 In right manner
CONCEPT OF PA

10. BASIC CONCEPTS
Assessing variability
 In precision farming, inputs are to be applied precisely
accordance with the existing variability.
 Special variability of all the determinants of crop yield
should be well recognized, adequately quantified and
properly located.
 Construction of condition maps on the basis of the
variability is a critical component of PF.
 Condition maps can be generated through
 Surveys
 Point sampling and interpolation
 Remote sensing (high resolution)
 Modeling

11. Managing variability
 Variations occur in crop or soil properties within a field.
 These variations are noted, and often mapped.
 Management actions are taken as a consequence of the
special variability within the field.
 Land levelling.
 VRT
 Site specific planting
 Site specific nutrient management.
 Precision water management.
 Site specific weed management.
Cont…

12. Replace
 Big machinery
 High energy consumption
 Over application of chemicals
With
 Intelligent machines
 Intelligent processes
PA Aims to..

13.  To enhance the productivity in agriculture.
 Prevents soil degradation in cultivable land.
 Reduction of chemical use in crop production.
 Efficient use of water resources.
 Dissemination of modern farm practices to improve quality,
quantity and reduced cost of production in agricultural
crops.
OBJECTIVES OF PA

14.  Agronomic perspective : Adjustment of cultural practices to
take into account the real need of the crop rather, eg. data
acquisition and analysis, decision support system,
increased attention to management etc.
 Technical perspective : Better time management at the farm
level, eg. GPS system, VRT, SSM service, financing etc.
 Environmental perspective : reduction of agriculture
impacts, eg. Reduce input losses, increase water and
nutrient use efficiency.
 Economical perspective : increase the output and reduction
of the input and increase efficiency, eg. Change in cost,
change in revenue etc.
PROSPECTS OF PRECISION FARMING IN
INDIAN SITUATIONS

15. COMPONENTS OF PA

16.  GIS is a computer based system or a
type of computerized map, provides
information on field topography, soil
types, surface drainage, subsurface
drainage, soil testing, irrigation,
chemical application rates and crop
yield.
 GIS is the key to extracting value from
information on variability.
 It is the brain of precision farming
system and it is the spatial analysis
capabilities of GIS that enable
precision farming.
Geographical Information System (GIS)
Spatial data GIS Computer
GIS coupled with GPS, microcomputers, RS and sensors

17.  GPS is a satellite based signal
broadcast system that allow GPS
recievers to determine their position.
 GPS provides the accurate positional
information, which is useful in
locating the spatial variability with
accuracy.
 This is the satellite-based
information, received by a mobile
field instrument sensitive to the
transmitting frequency.
 GPS help in identifying any location
in the field to assess the spatial
variability and site specific application
of inputs.
Global Positioning System (GPS) P
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18.  Remote sensing is a tool which gather
information in the form of map with
the help of satellites.
 RS is used for collection, processing
and analysing data to extract
information from earth surface
without coming in to physical contact
with it.
 The specific application of remote
sensing techniques can be used for-
 Detection
 Identification
 Measurement
 Monitoring of agriculture phenomena.
Remote Sensing (RS)

19.  kokokkmm

20.  It enables to a producer to
measure yield and grain
moisture in a field using crop
yield measuring devices
installed on harvesting
equipment.
 It also stores the information
generated in the computer
system.
 Yield monitors are available for
grain, forage and cotton crops.
Yield Monitoring (YM)

21.  It is the implementation of gathered
information for site specific
agriculture.
 It consists of farm field equipment
with the ability to precisely control
the rate of application of crop inputs
and tillage operations.
 Uses of VRT
 Nutrients/ fertilizers
 Micronutrients
 Pesticides
 Seeding
 Irrigation
 Computer controlled nozzels vary the
types and amounts of inputs
according to the variable rate
application plan.
Variable Rate Technology (VRT)

22. Map-based
 Grid sampling a field
 Performing laboratory analysis of the soil samples
 Generating a site-specific map of the properties
and finally
 Using this map to control a variable rate
applicator.
Sensor based
Utilizes real time sensors and feed back control to
measure the desired properties, usually soil
properties or crop characteristics, and
immediately use this signal to control the variable
rate applicator.

23. Map based v/s Sensor based

24. PF
Cycle
Precision Agriculture Cycle

25. OPPORTUNITIES
• We have an opportunity to brake the plateau of agriculture growth.
• An opportunity to reduce the gap between demand and supply of
inputs for optimum output.
• Most effective utilization of resources and reduction in losses thus
reduction in the cost of cultivation.
• We can develop a package of technologies that is cost effective and
most appropriate for Indian condition.
• There is an opportunity to get a strong support form clean
environmentally popularize precision farming .

26. Requirements for of Precision Farming
• Information / Data base
• Technology
• Management

27. INFORMATION / DATA BASE
• Soil properties
• Crop characteristics
• Infestation by weeds, pests and diseases
• Weather parameters
• Yield maps

28. TECHNOLOGY
• Remote Sensing (RS)
• Geographic Information
System (GIS)
• Global Positioning
System (GPS) and
• Differential Global
Positioning System
(DGPS)

29. MANAGEMENT
• Site specific prescriptions and
• Variable Rate Applicators

30. Steps in Precision Farming
1. Characterization
Measure – Extent, Scales and Dynamics of variation
2. Interpretation
Assess significance, Identify major causes of uncertainty and
Formulate management STRATEGIES
3. Management
What? When? Where? How to do?
“doing the right thing, at the right time, in the right place, in the
right way”
4. Monitoring
the outcome in a continuous learning process of change

32. Applications of PA technologies

33. Precision nutrient management
 Site Specific Nutrient Management (SSNM) - Leaf Color
Chart (LCC) and Chlorophyll meter (SPAD)
 Integrated Nutrient Management
 Application of organics (FYM/Bio Compost/Cakes/Green
manuring/Crop residues)

35. Leaf Color Chart (LCC)
 The leaf color chart
(LCC) is an easy-to-
use and inexpensive
diagnostic tool for
monitoring the
relative greenness
of a rice leaf as an
indicator of the
plant N status.
A standardized leaf color chart for assessing
leaf N status

36. Using the LCC in rice crop for N management
N deficiency
Apply high N dose
Immediately
Still showing N deficiency
Apply less N dose
very soon
Less N deficiency
Apply baseline N dose
Surplus of N
Do not apply N

37. Chlorophyll meter
 The soil plant analysis
development (SPAD)
chlorophyll meter is one
of the most commonly
used diagnostic tools to
measure crop nitrogen
status.
 Released in 1984
(Minolta Co. ltd., Japan).

38.  A green seeker handheld crop
sensor can detect wavelengths
of reflected light from the
crop canopy and produce a
normalized difference
vegetation index value called
NDVI that is correlated with
leaf chlorophyll.
 Based on this information,
side dress nitrogen rates that
are aligned with site specific
crop needs can be prescribed.
Green seeker sensor

39. Precision water management
Agriculture contributes less
than 25 % to India’s GDP
whereas it consumes 78 % of
India’s water resources
 Micro irrigation –
Drip/sprinkler
method
 Fertigation
 Through laser
aided land leveler

40. Drip irrigation
 Drip irrigation is a method which
optimizes the use of irrigation
water by providing it uniformly and
directly to the roots of the plants,
through a close network of plastic
pipes and emitters.
 Nutrients can also be supplied to
the plant through the drip system,
which is called Fertigation.
 Saving of water by 30 to 50% as
compared to conventional mode of
irrigation.
 Yield increase from 50 to 100%.

41. Large sprinkler
 Cheapest available system for
sprinkler irrigation.
 Substantial power saving and
cost effective.
 Suitable for all open field close
spaced crops.
 Suitable for a variety of crops
such as coffee, tea, arecanut
etc.

42. Micro sprinkler
 These are the best tools for
under-foliage irrigation for
many crops like citrus,
apple, banana etc.
 Good for irrigating close
growing vegetable crops.

43. Laser leveled land
 Saves 25-30% of water.
 Reduces the amount of water
required for land preparation.
 Reduces labor requirement for
irrigation by 35 %.
 Improves uniformity of crop
maturity.

44. Precision weed management
Weed detection: Processed image
Red = Johnsongrass
Yellow = Spurge
Green = Cotton
Black = Unclassified

45.  Covering the soil around plant
with plastic film to conserve
moisture, prevent weed
growth and modify soil
temperature is called
mulching.
 Increase in yield and plant
productivity up to 20%.
 Prevents weed growth.
 Maintains soil moisture
leading to reduced need for
irrigation.
 Improved seed germination.
Mulching with plastics/organics

46. Herbigation
 Herbigation is an
effective method of
applying herbicides
through irrigation
systems.
 It provides greater
flexibility in weed control
programs.

47. Precision plant protection measures
• Net houses
• Pests and disease
monitoring/detection through
Remote Sensing and GIS

48. Nets for crop protection from damage
 Net houses- plastic nets
are used for protection
of crops against damage
from birds, insects, hails
and severity solar
radiation during
summer.

49. Satellite Imagery for Plant Disease Detection
Use of GIS and Remote Sensing for insect pest and disease detection
or monitoring so that we are able to control these infestation
precisely and timely.

50.  Though PF is very much talked about in developed countries,
it is still at a very nascent stage in developing countries,
including India. Space Application Centre, ISRO, in
collaboration with Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla
has initiated a study on exploring the role remote sensing for
PF.
 Other institute in India initiated work on PF are:
- Central Potato Research Station – Jalandhar (Panjab)
Role of remote sensing in mapping the variability .
- MS Swaminathan Research Foundation- Chennai in
collaboration with NABARD has adopted a village in Dindigul
district of Tamilnadu for variable rate inputs application
PRESENT SCENARIO

51. ADVANTAGES OF PRECISION FARMING
• Food security
• Increased productivity
• Better utilization of resources
• Reduced cost
• Environmental control

52.  From Productive to Profitable Agriculture
 From Production driven to Market driven
 From Localized to Globalized Agriculture
 Yes, Through Precision Farming
Can we Transform Agriculture…?

53. LIMITATIONS OF PRECISION FARMING IN INDIA
 Poor financial status of the farmers.
 Illiteracy of Indian farmers.
 Heterogeneity of cropping systems and market
imperfections.
 Lack of local technical expertis.
 Knowledge and technical gaps.
 Unawareness about PF among the farmers.
 Unassured availability of quality seed or planting materials
of desired crops.
 Dependence on monsoon.
 Complexity of tools and techniques requiring new skills.
 High initial investment.

54.  PF can immensely help in reducing cost of production and
increasing profit and marginal return.
 It can enable optimal use of input through site specific
application and precise land levelling by Lesser Land
Leveller.
 Application of GPS, GIS, Remote Sensing and VRT in
finding out graph performance in relation to productivity
linked soil parameters and weather forecasting specially
Mansoon.
CONCLUSION

55.  Research on Precision Farming is at infancy stage in out
country.
 Precision Farming technologies are successful in their role
of enhancing crop production, input use efficiency while
minimizing the cost of production and environmental
impacts.
 Precision land leveling, precision planting, real time N
application using LCC, SPAD (chlorophyll meter), Green
seeker sensor having demonstrated potentialities for
improving crop yield and increasing resource-use
efficiency in real farming situation.
SUMMARY

56.  Tools and techniques for assessing soil and yield
variability for application of inputs need to be
standardized at a low cost and farmers friendly.
 Thus, Precision Farming may help farmers to harvest
through frontier technologies without compromising on
the quality of land and produce.
 The Precision Farming would trigger a techno-green
revolution in India which is the need of the hour.
Cont…