When we think of agriculture we think of cultivation,
plant life, soil fertility, types of crops, terrestrial environment,
etc. But in today’s world we associate with agriculture terms
like climate change, irrigation facilities, technological
advancements, synthetic seeds, advanced machinery etc. In
short we are interested in how science of today can help us in
the field of agriculture. And so comes into the picture
Precision Agriculture (PA).
The general definition is information and technology
based farm management system to identify, analyze and
manage spatial and temporal variability within fields for
optimum productivity and profitability, sustainability and
protection of the land resource by minimizing the production
costs. Simply put, precision farming is an approach where
inputs are utilized in precise amounts to get increased average
yields compared to traditional cultivation techniques. Hence it
is a comprehensive system designed to optimize production
with minimal adverse impact on our terrestrial system. [1]
The three major components of precision agriculture
are information, technology and management. Precision
farming is information-intense. Precision Agriculture is a
management strategy that uses information technologies to
collect valuable data from multiple sources. This type of analyzing data gives idea what to do in upcoming years to tackle the situations.
8. The modern agriculture is
way different than
traditional methods . Things
are changing from scratch
to a better efficient world
and suitable environmental
friendly practices one such
practice is
Precision Farming .
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9. Overview
The first wave of the precision agricultural revolution came in the forms of satellite and aerial
imagery, weather prediction, variable rate fertilizer application, and crop health indicators.
The second wave aggregates the machine data for even more precise planting,
topographical mapping, and soil data.
Precision agriculture aims to optimize field-level management with regard to:
•crop science: by matching farming practices more closely to crop needs
•environmental protection: by reducing environmental risks and footprint of farming
•economics: by boosting competitiveness through more efficient practices
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10. Precision agriculture also provides farmers with a
wealth of information to:
•build up a record of their farm
•improve decision-making
•foster greater traceability
•enhance marketing of farm products
•improve lease arrangements and relationship with
landlords
•enhance the inherent quality of farm products (e.g.
protein level in bread-flour wheat)
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11. Precision Farming
Precision agriculture or Precision
farming can be defined as “the
application of modern information
technologies to provide, process and
analyze multisource data of high spatial
and temporal resolution for decision
making and operations in the
management of crop production - as per
(National Research Council, 1997).
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12. Precision Farming
In simple terms Precision Farming or
Precision Agriculture is a concept of using
the new technologies and collecting field
information, doing the right thing, in the
right place, at the right time. Collected
information may be used to more precisely
evaluate optimum sowing density,
estimate fertilizers and other input needs,
and to more accurately predict crop yields.
It helps in avoiding unwanted practices to
a crop, regardless of local soil/climate
conditions, i.e., it reduces labour, water,
inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides etc.
and assures quality produce.
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Precision Farming has three components:
• Capture of data at an appropriate scale and frequency
• Interpretation and analysis of the data
• Implementation of management response at an appropriate scale
and time
Precision Agriculture is a management strategy that uses information
technologies to collect valuable data from multiple sources which
factors into the decision-making process.
It relies on technologies like GPS (Global Positioning Systems), GIS
(Geographic Information Systems), yield monitors, remote mapping
sensors and guidance systems for application with variable rate
which enables in-depth monitoring of field variations.
14. Basic Concept Of Precision Farming
ASSESSING VARIABILITY
• In precision farming, inputs are to be
applied precisely in accordance with the
existing variability
• Spatial 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 precision farming
• Condition maps can be generated
through (i) Surveys, (ii) Point sampling &
interpolation, (iii) Remote sensing (high
resolution) and (iv) Modeling
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 spatial
variability within the field.
• Land leveling
• Site specific planting
• Site Specific Nutrient Management
• Precision water management
• Site specific weed management
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Prospects of precision farming in Indian agriculture situation
Agronomic perspective : Adjustment of cultural practices to take into
account the real need of the crop rather. e.g. Data acquisition & analysis,
decision support system, increased attention to management etc.
Technical perspective: Better time management at the farm level.eg GPS
System, Variable Rate Application Technology (VRT), Site Specific
Management Service, Financing etc.
Environmental perspective: Reduction of agriculture impacts.eg Reduce
Input Losses, Increase Water And Nutrient Use Efficiency etc.
Economical perspective: Increase of the output and/or reduction of the
input and increase efficiency.eg Change In Cost, Change In Revenue, Cash
Flow Risk etc.
16. Goal Of Precision
Farming
Increasing farm
profitability and
enhancing
environmental
protection by
developing precision
strategies that are
compatible with
farming practices.
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17. 1. To develop a methodology for
identifying the causes of within field
variation in crop performance.
2. To develop practical guidelines required
to implement precision farming
technology to achieve best
management.
3. To explore the possibilities of using
remote-sensing methods and GIS to
enable management decisions to be
made in real time during the growth of
the crop
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18. Strategies
Using soil maps, farmers can pursue two strategies to adjust field inputs:
•Predictive approach: based on analysis of static indicators (soil, resistivity, field history, etc.) during the crop cycle.
•Control approach: information from static indicators is regularly updated during the crop cycle by:
• sampling: weighing biomass, measuring leaf chlorophyll content, weighing fruit, etc.
• remote sensing: measuring parameters like temperature (air/soil), humidity (air/soil/leaf), wind or stem diameter is
possible thanks to Wireless Sensor Networksand Internet of things (IoT)
• proxy-detection: in-vehicle sensors measure leaf status; this requires the farmer to drive around the entire field.
• aerial or satellite remote sensing: multispectral imagery is acquired and processed to derive maps of crop biophysical
parameters, including indicators of disease. Airborne instruments are able to measure the amount of plant cover and
to distinguish between crops and weeds.
Decisions may be based on decision-support models based on data but in the final analysis it is up to the farmer to decide in
terms of business value and impacts on the environment- a role being taken over by artificial intelligence systems.
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19. It is important to realize why PF technology
is or is not adopted, "for PF technology
adoption to occur the farmer has to perceive
the technology as useful and easy to use. It
might be insufficient to have positive outside
data on the economic benefits of PF
technology as perceptions of farmers have
to reflect these economic considerations.
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22. • All phases of precision agriculture
require positioning information and it
can be provided by the GPS.
• 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.
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24. • A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a tool
that creates visual representations of data and
performs spatial analyses in order to make
informed decisions. It is a technology that
combines hardware, software, and data. The
data can represent almost anything imaginable
so long as it has a geographic component.
• GIS binds information in one place so that it can
be extrapolated when needed. Computerized
GIS maps contain layers of information like
yield, soil survey, crop type, nutrient levels and
prone pests
• A farming GIS database can provide information
on field topography, soil types, surface drainage,
subsurface drainage, rainfall, irrigation, rates of
chemical application and crop yield
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27. • Remote sensing is the process of detecting and
monitoring the physical characteristics of an area by
measuring its reflected and emitted radiation at a
distance (typically from satellite or aircraft). Special
cameras collect remotely sensed images, which help
researchers "sense" things about the Earth.
• Remote sensing has been used in soil mapping,
terrain analysis, crop stress, yield mapping and
estimation of soil organic matter, but on a scale larger
than what is required for precision agriculture.
• Remote sensing at high resolution can be of great use
in precision farming because of its capacity to monitor
the spatial variability.
• The role of satellite remote sensing in PF is to acquire
spatially- and temporally-distributed information to
identify and analyze crop and soil variability within
fields.
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29. • Variable rate application (VRA) in precision agriculture is
an area of technology that focuses on the automated
application of materials to a given landscape. The way in
which the materials are applied is based on data that is
collected by sensors, maps, and gps. These materials
include things like fertilizers, chemicals, and seeds, and
they all help optimize one’s crop production.
• Applying fertilizer is a common agricultural activity that
can be completely automated with the correct
implementation of variable rate application technology
(VRT). Here is a step-by-step guide on how you would
go about utilizing VRT for spraying fertilizer.
• There are many forms of technology that are used in
variable rate application for precision agriculture. They
include everything from drones and satellites, to artificial
intelligence (AI) and hyperspectral imaging. Regardless
of which variable rate application technology is used, it
is important to understand the general way in which this
technology is applied.
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31. • Sensor technology is an integral part of precision
agriculture technology and their application has been
widely reported to provide essential information on
soil properties, plant fertility and water status.
Location Sensors are the sensors that are used to
determine latitude, longitude, and altitude within feet.
Optical Sensors use light to measure soil properties.
• Essentially, there are two types of soil moisture
sensor, water potential sensors such as tensiometers,
and granular matrix sensors, and those that give a
percentage or relative water content of soil.
• A tensiometer measures suction pressure at its porous
tip, replicating how hard a root has to work to extract
water from the soil.
• Mechanical Sensors measure soil compaction. They
use a probe that penetrates the soil and records
resistive forces through use of load cells or strain
gauges
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32. Approach
Precision agriculture can be classified into two
broad categories, namely 'soft' and 'hard’ PF.
'Soft’ PF primarily depends on visual
observation of crop and soil and management
decision based on experience and intuition.
Whereas 'hard’ PF utilizes all modern
technologies like GPS, RS, VRT etc. relying on
statistical analysis of scientific data.
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33. Approach
GRID SAMPLING
• It was the very first approach used to develop
precision application maps
• The fields are to be sampled along a regular
grid at sample spacing ranging from 60-150
m depending on the field size and the samples
are analyzed for desired properties.
• The results of these analyses are interpolated
to unsampled locations by geo-statistical
techniques viz. Kriging and Inverse Distance
Weighing (IDW) and the interpolated values
are classified using GIS techniques into limited
number of management zones.
MANAGEMENT ZONES
• Production level management zones are
homogenous subregions of a field
having similar yield limiting factors.
• A more economically feasible approach
• The delineation of management zones
uses single or multi GIS data layers viz.
bare soil imagery, topography and
farmer’s experience, EC of soil etc.
• A field can be divided into three
different zones: high, medium and low
based on the productivity of the area
and the crop inputs can be applied
accordingly.
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36. Economic and Environment Impacts
Precision agriculture, as the name implies, means application of precise and correct amount of inputs like water,
fertilizer, pesticides etc. at the correct time to the crop for increasing its productivity and maximizing its yields.
Precision agriculture management practices can significantly reduce the amount of nutrient and other crop inputs
used while boosting yields. Farmers thus obtain a return on their investment by saving on water, pesticide, and
fertilizer costs.
The second, larger-scale benefit of targeting inputs concerns environmental impacts. Applying the right amount of
chemicals in the right place and at the right time benefits crops, soils and groundwater, and thus the entire crop
cycle. Consequently, precision agriculture has become a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture, since it respects
crops, soils and farmers. Sustainable agriculture seeks to assure a continued supply of food within the ecological,
economic and social limits required to sustain production in the long term.
A 2013 article tried to show that precision agriculture can help farmers in developing countries like India.
Precision agriculture reduces the pressure on agriculture for the environment by increasing the efficiency of
machinery and putting it into use. For example, the use of remote management devices such as GPS reduces fuel
consumption for agriculture, while variable rate application of nutrients or pesticides can potentially reduce the use
of these inputs, thereby saving costs and reducing harmful runoff into the waterways.[
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37. Limitations
• Small farms size.
• Heterogeneity of cropping systems.
• Land tenure/ownership restriction.
• High cost of obtaining site-specific data.
• Complexity of tools and techniques requiring new skills.
• High initial investment
• Knowledge and technological gaps including Inadequate
understanding of agronomic factors and their interaction
• Lack of understanding of the geo statistics necessary for
displaying spatial variability of crops and soils using
current mapping software
• Limited ability to integrate information from diverse
sources with varying resolutions and intensities
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Steps to be taken for implementing Precision
Farming in India
• Creation of multidisciplinary units involving scientists from
various fields, Engineers, Economists to layout design for
Precision farming.
• Formation of farmer’s co-operatives
• Governmental legislation to use agricultural inputs
judiciously
• Pilot study to be conducted on farmer’s field to show the
results of Precision Farming.
• Creating awareness amongst farmers
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Precision Farming Can Also Be Used In
• Implementing spatially-varied farm operations such as
tillage, seeding, harvesting, etc.,
• For detecting nutrient and moisture stress,
• On-farm testing of agronomic practices to evaluate
alternative management practices,
• Plant breeding programs to test the performance of
improved varieties, and in reevaluations of trial procedures.
41. Future Prospects
Future prospects for PA include improvement in the availability and performance of
existing technologies. These include improvements in internet connectivity, sensor
technology, better and more accurate mobile applications, machinery equipment's,
etc. However, the most promising prospect in the future of PA is the application of
drones towards the implementation of PA. Drones eliminate the need for GPS and
strong internet connectivity it requires. With the drone technology we can speedup
crop scouting, identifying pest or nutrient issues in crops and addressing them
right away, checking for weather damage, finding pivot breakdowns on irrigation
systems, checking drainage system performance, the list goes o
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42. Emerging technologies
Robots Drones and satellite
imagery
Internet of things Smartphone Applications
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45. Thank You
Venkata Surya Bellamkonda
17HM1A3504
Department Of Agriculture Engineering
A.M.Reddy Memorial College Of Engineering & Technology
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