Precision farming

Karan Verma (A-2014-40-004)

Precision farming is defined as “information and technology based agricultural management system to identify analyze and manage site soil spatial and temporal variability within fields for optimum profitability, sustainability and protection of the environment.

The term "Precision Farming" or "Precision Agriculture" is capturing the imagination of many people concerned with the production of food, feed, and fiber. It offers the promise of increasing productivity, while decreasing production costs and minimizing the environmental impact of farming

Precision farming is also termed as:

•Precision agriculture•Variable rate technology •Spatially variable farming •GPS based agriculture •Site specific farming •Site specific management etc

Components of precision farmingBasically Precision farming relies on the interaction of three broad and fundamental components. They are categorized in terms of information, technology and management.

Data baseUnder field conditions both soils and crops vary spatially and temporally. The information related to soil properties, crop characteristics, weed and insect population and harvest data are important to develop database necessary for realizing the potential of precision farming. Of these, entire crop yield monitoring is the most important component of precision farming technology and is the logical starting point for precision farming.

Establishment of soil related characteristics within a field through regular soil sampling is another important database. In precision farming a decision has to be made on how to sample and how often to sample and what property to look for so that interpretation from database can be made with greater confidence.

Technology Technologies include a vast array of tools of hardware, software and equipments. These are:

Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers GPS provides continuous position information in real time, while in motion. Having precise location information at any time allows soil and crop measurements to be mapped. GPS receivers, either carried to the field or mounted on implements allow users to return to specific locations to sample or treat those areas. GPS receiver with electronic yield monitors generally used to collect yield data across the land in precise way. Global positioning systems (GPS) are widely available in the agricultural community. Farm uses include: mapping yields (GPS + combine yield monitor), variable rate planting (GPS + variable rate planting system), variable rate lime and fertilizer application (GPS + variable rate controller), field mapping for records and insurance purposes (GPS + mapping software), and parallel swathing (GPS + navigation tool)

Geographic information systems (GIS) Geographic information systems (GIS) are computer hardware and software that use feature attributes and location data to produce maps. An important function of an agricultural GIS is to store layers of information, such as yields, yield maps, soil survey maps, remotely sensed data, crop scouting reports and soil nutrient levels. E.g. GIS for Paddy Fields is an interactive user friendly system that is used for better management of the paddy fields for better efficiency and cost effectiveness.

Remote sensing

Remote sensing technology is a very useful tool for gathering much information simultaneously. It is the collection of data from a distance. Data sensors can simply be hand-held devices, mounted on aircraft or satellite-based. Remotely-sensed data provide a tool for evaluating crop health. Plant stress related to moisture, nutrients, compaction, crop diseases and other plant health concerns are often easily detected in overhead images. Remote sensing can reveal in-season variability that affects crop yield, and can be timely enough to make management decisions that improve profitability for the current crop. Although much information is gathered by remote sensing technology, it is difficult to find the key management factor because each field has varying conditions such as timing and period of midseason drainage, timing and amount of nitrogen fertilizer application, and timing of harvest.

Variable Rate Applicator

The variable rate applicator has three components. These include control computer, locator and actuator. The application map is loaded into a computer mounted on a variable-rate applicator. The computer uses the application map and a GPS receiver to direct a product-delivery controller that changes the amount and/or kind of product, according to the application map, e.g. Combine harvesters with yield monitors. Here Yield monitors continuously measure and record the flow of grain in the clean-grain elevator of a combine. When linked with a GPS receiver, yield monitors can provide data necessary for yield maps.

THE NEED FOR PRECISION FARMING IN INDIA:-

The ‘Green revolution’ of 1960’s has made India self sufficient in food production. In 1947, India produced a little over six million tonnes of wheat, in 1999 Indian farmers harvested over 72 million tonnes, taking the country to the second position in wheat production in the world. The production of food grains in five decades, has increased more than threefold, the yield during this period has increased more than two folds. All this has been possible due to high input application, like increase in fertilization, irrigation, pesticides, higher use of High Yield Varieties, increase in cropping intensity and increase in mechanization of agriculture

Why Precision Farming?

• To enhance 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 & reduced cost of production in agricultural crops

1. Monitor the soil and plant physicochemical parameters: by placing sensors (electrical conductivity, nitrates, temperature, evapotranspiration, radiation, leaf and soil moisture, etc.) the optimal conditions for plant growth can be achieved.2. Obtain data in real time: the application of sensing devices in your fields will allow a continuous monitoring of the chosen parameters and will offer real time data ensuring an updated status of the field and plant parameters at all time.3. Automate your field management: by incorporating a Decision Support System (DSS) in your Precision Agriculture environment the best conditions for the specific soil and plant species will be automatically optimised based on the data obtained by the sensors. The DSS will suggest the best moment for watering (or whether there is need or not), the need to irrigate to wash the salt content due to an excess in the radicular area, the need to fertilise, etc.

4. Save time and costs: by introducing a PA system in the daily operation of an agricultural exploitation time is saved due to the on-line measurement methods. Data from the sensors is automatically transmitted to a central server and this can be consulted using a Smartphone or Laptop. Or even, email or SMS alerts can be programmed to notify the field owner when there is a need to irrigate, fertilise or address any issue in their properties. Moreover, costs in terms of water, pesticides and others are optimised and can easily be reduced.

5. Improve your image: By using PA technology, not only the yield and profits will be increased but also the perception of the general public and Public Administration (through Smart Agriculture and environmental care) towards your activity will be enhanced.

7. Agronomical perspective: Use agronomical practices by looking at specific requirements of crop

8. Technical perspective: Allows efficient time management

9. Environmental perspective: Eco-friendly practices in crop

10. Economical perspective: Increases crop yield, quality and reduces cost of production by efficient use of farm inputs, labour, water etc.

11. GPS allows fields to be surveyed with ease.

12. Yield and soil characteristics can be mapped.

13. Non-uniform fields can be sub-divided into smaller plots according to their specific requirements.

14. Provides opportunities for better resource management and so could reduce wastage.

15. Minimises the risk to the environment particularly with respect to nitrate leaching  and groundwater contamination via the optimsation of agrochemical products.

Disadvantages

Techniques are still under development and so it is important to take specialist advice before making expensive decisions.

1. Initial capital costs may be high and so it should be seen as a long-term investment.

2. It may take several years before you have sufficient data to fully implement the system.

3. Extremely demanding work particularly collecting and then analysing the data.