Precision agriculture (PA) or smart agriculture is a whole-farm management approach using information technology, ground sensing, satellite positioning (GNSS) data, remote sensing, drone and proximal data gathering to optimize inputs for improved output and a sustainable environment.
Precision Agriculture Potential
Smart farming includes modern technologies like field mapping or satellite imagery to reduce inputs and produce more sustainably. To meet future food demands from the ever-growing global population and minimize environmental impact, farmers need advanced and precise technology. The agricultural management system contributes to the development of sustainable agriculture and optimizes the use of traditional resources. Data are received on crop status, soil moisture content, environmental changes, weather forecast and more from technologies like sensors, drones, GPS, and satellite images.
Benefits of Precision Agriculture
In precision agriculture systems the processes can be remotely controlled, and efficiency in tools and technologies combination increases crop production and saves financial costs. Predictive analytics software is used after collecting data which provides farmers with the ability to identify fields that require treatment and determine the optimum amount of water, pesticides, and fertilizers for a particular area to apply. In the beginning, smart agriculture technologies are costly but more economical in the long run than traditional agricultural methods. Helping to prevent run-off and wasting resources, making sure the soil has the optimum additives while also reducing costs and controlling environmental impact by observing and measuring soil type, plant growth, weather, terrain, and yield data when managing crops.
Zoning in Precision Agriculture
Wetting or irrigating based on crop need and soil health, using fuel more prudently, optimizing technique movement, and adjusting the fertilizer amount are made possible by the ability to manage fields not as a single block but by dividing them into separate areas which is the crucial difference between precision farming and traditional agriculture. Zoning enables management decisions for separate areas of the field. A stable food supply is assured when soil health is preserved and improved. Wetting and refilling based on crop need. Therefore, Smart farming in agriculture plays an essential part in solving the global problem of hunger. Sustainability and the protection of the environment.
Precision Agriculture Technologies
Precision agriculture technology comprises both hardware and software to collect and analyze all the information. The three major divisions of precision farming technology are the satellite, aerial and ground sensing. Satellite and aerial are relevant to real-time yield state analysis from anywhere and solving global problems. Ground sensing is suitable for production planning, mapping, scouting, and machine control. Integrating and coupling more than one sensing technology is to obtain optimized data.
Satellite Remote Sensing in Precision Agriculture
Satellite sensing technology allows Agrotronic and growers to observe the soil and yield health using satellite images. Up-to-date data on disease, moisture stress, nutrient levels, and structural anomalies. Advanced and recent precision agriculture satellite imagery has a high spectral resolution, allowing growers to get the most accurate data. Combining drone scouting with satellite remote sensing can help farmers plan plant treatments and select agricultural chemicals to ascertain the cause of variations from the standard.
IoT In Precision Agriculture
The Internet of Things provides farmers more control over the field with remote control, dedicated data sensors, and an IoT platform. Farmers control all information from the atmosphere to soil health status.
Global Positioning System (GPS) in Precision Agriculture
GPS is a ground-based technology to gathers data with accurate location information in real-time executing the following tasks:
- Tractor driving with a parallel steering system for controlling agricultural machinery.
- Mapping of irrigation systems, fields, and roads.
- VRA for precise fertilizer, moisture, and seed application
- Detecting areas with a diseased plant.
- Soil monitoring in specific field areas.
GIS Technology in Precision Agriculture
Map creation from object details and location data including digital ones. farms are divided into separate zones, based on characteristics, GIS and GPS are used for the analysis. Traditionally, these zones are divided according to soil moisture content and type, nutrient availability, pest infestation and pH rate. Soil survey maps, plant characteristics and multiple farm management options by comparing and manipulating data layers in GIS.
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in Precision Agriculture
unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) use aerial technologies for crop management. They are remotely controlled and consume no or less fuel. Additionally, precision agriculture drones can analyze the field thoroughly, conducting complex thermal, multispectral, and hyperspectral soil analyses. Farmers can monitor the yield’s condition without scouting all fields in person. Old days spraying crops with moisture and protection products from agricultural aircraft. Today using UAVs or drones in precision agriculture is a more progressive solution.
VRT In Precision Agriculture
Variable Rate Technology allows farmers to apply moisture, fertilizer, chemicals, seeds, etc. to different parts of a field depending on the crop and soil need. Also, farmers can estimate the soil for nutrients, such as phosphorus, and feed only those areas that lack certain nutrients. With variable rate application, precision agriculture requires specialized software and a differential global positioning system (DGPS). The sensor sensing VRT examines the soil with sensors in real-time and can help determine phosphorus deficiency. The map sensing VRT determine the number of applied pesticides, fertilizers, and other products according to the previously generated area map. After this, the control system estimates the required number of inputs for effectiveness and efficiency. Variable rate irrigation (VRI) Varies the moisture content on different field parts made possible by Precision agriculture irrigation. This level of control can significantly optimize irrigation efficiency and save water wastage. One of the main indexes used in Agrotronic crop monitoring shows the crop water stress in the tested field. This enables farmers to quickly identify areas of the field that require additional watering, and areas with excessive water.
Precision Agriculture management
Site-Specific Crop Management (SSCM)
As agricultural management systems for monitoring, measuring and responding to crop variability within one area or between fields. SSCM methods use accurate global positioning combined with site-specific measurements to quantify spatial changing field conditions.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Management in Precision Agriculture
AI uses Image-based pattern recognition systems to adjust the soil nutrient and moisture status in relation to the crop need.
