Precision Agriculture AND ITS ADVANTAGES
- 1. Precision Agriculture Submitted to-Dr. Ranu Pathania Submitted by-Shivalika (A-2023-40-010)
- 2. HISTORY OF PRECISION FARMING The concept of precision agriculture first emerged in the United States in the early 1980s. In 1985, researchers at the University of Minnesota varied lime inputs in crop fields. It was also at this time that the practice of grid sampling appeared (applying a fixed grid of one sample per hectare). Towards the end of the 1980s, this technique was used to derive the first input recommendation maps for fertilizers and pH corrections. The use of yield sensors developed from new technologies, combined with the advent of GPS receivers, has been gaining ground ever since. Today, such systems cover several million hectares.
- 3. PRECISION FARMING IN INDIA As profitable as this technology can be, it is still at a nascent stage in India. Companies like Trimble, Tata Kisan Kendra (TKK), and Fasal, among many others, are working to introduce this concept to Indian farmers. TKK, which is an initiative launched by Tata Chemicals Limited (TCL), has the vision to propel rustic India from the ancient farm practices into the modern age of satellites and IT. TCL’s extension services are conveyed to farmers by the TKKs, using remote-sensing to assess soil conditions, examine crop health, pest invasions, and crop yield prediction. They assist the farmers in adapting promptly to varying conditions leading to enhanced crop production and higher earnings for farmers.
- 4. WHAT IS PRECISION AGRICULTURE? Precision agriculture, satellite farming or site specific crop management is a farming management concept based on observing, measuring and responding to inter and intra-field variability in crops. A key component of this farm management approach is the use of information technology and a wide array of items such as GPS guidance, control systems, sensors, robotics, drones, autonomous vehicles, variable rate technology, GPS-based soil sampling, automated hardware, telematics, and software.
- 5. WHY PRECISION AGRICULTURE ? 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 favorable attitudes Precision farming changing the socio-economic status of farmers
- 7. CONCEPTS Overall yield increase- • The precise selection of crop varieties, the application of exact types and doses of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides, and appropriate irrigation meet the demands of crops for optimum growth and development. • This leads to yield increase, especially in areas or fields where uniform crop management practices were traditionally practiced.
- 8. •Reduced production costs-The application of exact quantities at the appropriate time reduces the cost of agrochemical inputs in crop production. In addition, the overall high yield reduces the cost per unit of output. •Better decision-making in agricultural management- Agricultural machinery, equipment and tools help farmers acquire accurate information, which is processed and analyzed for appropriate decision making in land preparation, seeding, fertilizer, pesticide and herbicide application, irrigation and drainage, and post-production activities.
- 9. Reduced environmental impact- • The timely application of agrochemicals at an accurate rate avoids excessive residue in soils and water and thus reduces environmental pollution Efficiency improvement- Advanced technologies including machinery, tools and information, help farmers to increase the efficiency of labor, land and time in farming.
- 10. PRECISION FARMING v/s TRADITIONAL FARMING S.NO PRECISION FARMING TRADITIONAL FARMING 1. FARM FIELD IS BROKEN INTO “MANAGEMENT ZONES” WHOLE FIELD APPROACH WHERE FIELD IS TREATED AS A HOMOGENOUS AREA 2. MANAGEMENT DECISIONS ARE BASED ON REQUIREMENTS OF EACH ZONE DECISIONS ARE BASED ON FIELD AVERAGES 3. PRECISION FARMING TOOLS ARE USED FOR APPLICATION. INPUTS ARE APPLIED UNIFORMLY ACROSS A FIELD
- 11. PRINCIPLES OF PRECISION AGRICULTURE 1. GEOLOCATING 2.VARIABILITY 3. STRATEGIES 4. IMPLEMENTING PRACTICES
- 12. 1.GEOLOCATING • Geo locating a field enables the farmer to overlay information gathered from analysis of soils and residual nitrogen, and information on previous crops and soil resistivity. Geo location is done in two ways - 1. The field is delineated using an in-vehicle GPS receiver as the farmer drives a tractor around the field. 2. The field is delineated on a base map derived from aerial or satellite imagery. The base images must have the right level of resolution and geometric quality to ensure that geolocation is sufficiently accurate.
- 13. 2.VARIABILITY Intra and inter-field variability may result from a number of factors. These include climatic conditions (hail, drought, rain, etc. ), soils (texture, depth, nitrogen levels), cropping practices (no-till farming), weeds and disease. Permanent indicators are chiefly soil indicators— provide farmers with information about the main environmental constants. Point indicators allow them to track a crop's status, i.e., to see whether diseases are developing, if the crop is suffering from water stress, nitrogen stress, or lodging, whether it
- 14. 3.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 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.
- 15. IMPLEMENTING PRACTICES New information and communication technologies make field level crop management more operational and easier to achieve for farmers. Application of crop management decisions calls for agricultural equipment that supports variable-rate technology (VRT), for example varying seed density along with variable-rate application (VRA) of nitrogen and phytosanitary products. Practices used- 1.Positioning system (e.g. GPS receivers that use satellite signals to precisely determine a position on the globe); 2.Geographic information systems (GIS) i.e., software that makes sense of all the available data. 3.Variable-rate farming equipment (seeder, spreader).
- 16. BENEFITS OF PRECISION AGRICULTURE SIMPLIFIED FARMING PROCESS IMPROVED FARMING PROCEDURE COVER CROP NO TILL METHOD BETTER FARM MACHINERY FERTIGATION MORE COST EFFICIENT FARMING MORE TIME ON THEIR HANDS HIGHER YIELD AND MORE PROFITABILITY LESS WASTE HIGHER QUALITY OF LIFE
- 17. 1. Simplified Farming Processes Precision farmers are finding that the ordinary day to day farm processes are becoming easier to manage and this is as a direct result of technology implementation and streamlining procedures. 2. Improved Farming Procedures We have compiled a short list of 4 farming procedures that have been improved greatly using precision farming methods. 3. Cover Crops Farmers are using cover crops to protect soil during off seasons and also make extra revenue from the sale of the crops. 4. Strip Tilling/No-Till Methods. Strip tilling reduces the damage done to fields by completing a traditional full till and also allows for organic matter to be left and fertilize the soil naturally.
- 18. 5.Better Farm Machinery Running heavy duty farm equipment over fields often causes soil damage and compacting, technology companies and machinery developers have created tractors and combines with sensors to reduce compacting from tracks and wheels. 6.Variable Rate Fertilization and Irrigation (Fertigation). Precise systems that use sensors to gauge crop quality and irrigation needs. These provide fertilizer and water where needed as and when it is needed. FARM MACHINERY FERTIGATION
- 19. 7.More Cost-Efficient Farming • Precision farming aims to reduce a farmer’s expenditure by minimizing the need for things like fertilizer, pesticide and herbicide. Over a growing season, grower’s are seeing significant reductions in the amount of money they are spending on all of the above where technology is using the components sparingly and only where needed. 8.More Time on Their Hands • Accompanying the simplified processes, farmers are finding they are freeing up a lot more time to concentrate on the business operations of their farms so that they can focus their energy on making the farm more profitable.
- 20. 9.Higher Yields and More Profitability • Statistically, a precision farmer will make more money than a traditional farmer. Their yields are higher because they have improved growing practices and they are able to sell more produce at the end of the season as a result 10.Better Quality Produce • Implementing better growing processes is providing produce that is of a higher quality. This is done in many ways such as actively monitoring the nutrients in soil, strip tilling and irrigating plants correctly and when irrigation is needed. 11.Less Waste • Lost crop is a nightmare for farmers, and over a growing season there is expectation that a certain number of plants will not see the season through. With streamlined growing processes and healthier plants that crops have a much better chance of surviving and growing seasons are becoming more sustainable
- 21. 12.Less Debt • Precision farmers are no more able to avoid debt as a traditional farmer however they are able to clear it quicker because they have more money to pay it down. This is as a result of the increased profitability and many precision farmers are now debt free or taking big steps towards becoming debt free. 13.Higher Quality of Life • Farming is a difficult and exhausting job. Farmer suicide rates are high and overall quality of life was typically non-existent. Precision farming is changing this rapidly, and as a result of the things we have mentioned on the list they are experiencing a better quality of life with a reduction in stress levels
- 22. TOOLS FOR PRECISION AGRICUTURE 1. Global Positioning System 2. Geographical Information System 3. Grid Sampling 4. Variable Rate Technology 5. Yield Monitors 6. Yield Maps 7. Auto Guidance Systems 8. Proximate Sensors 9. Remote Sensing 10.Computer Hardware and Software
- 23. 1. Global positioning system GPS is a set of satellites that identify the location of farm equipment within a meter of an actual site in the field. The value of knowing a precision location within inches is that: • Location of soil samples and the laboratory results can be compared to a soil map. • Fertilizer and pesticides can be prescribed to fit soil properties (clay and organic matter content) and soil conditions (relief and drainage) • Tillage adjustments can be made as one finds various conditions across the field and • One can monitor and record yield data as one goes across the field. The GPS technology provides accurate positioning system necessary for field implementation of variable rate technology. The present internet makes possible the development of a mechanism for effective farm management using remote sensing.
- 24. Satellite Type Satellite Objectives Multispectral imaging satellite Resourcesat-2 & Resourcesat-2A Multispectral imaging for crop production forecast, land, water and natural resource inventory and management, and disaster management support Cartography satellite Cartosat-1 High resolution cartographic mapping, digital elevation mapping – drainage and irrigation networks, topographic mapping and contouring Radar imaging RISAT-1 All weather imaging capability targeted for kharif crop (June to November) during south-west and north-east monsoon seasons. Flood and natural disaster management
- 25. 2. Geographical information system (GIS) A geographical information system (GIS) consists of a computer software data base system used to input, store, retrieve, analyze and display, in map like form, spatially referenced geographical information. 3. Grid sampling Grid sampling is a method of breaking a field into blocks of about 0.5-5 ha. The sampling soils within those grids to determine appropriate application rates. Several samples are taken from each grid, mixed and sent into the laboratory for analysis.
- 26. 4. Variable rate technology Variable rate technology (VRT) consists of farm field equipment with the ability to precisely control the rate of application of crop inputs that can be varied in their application commonly include tillage, fertilizer, weed control, insect control, plant population and irrigation. 5. Yield monitors Yield monitors are crop yield measuring devices installed on harvesting equipment. The yield data from the monitor is recorded and stored at regular intervals alongwith positional data received from GPS unit. GIS software takes the yield data and produce yield maps.
- 27. 6. Yield maps Yield maps are produced by processing data from adopted combine harvester that is equipped with a GPS that is integrated with a yield recording system. 7.Auto-guidance systems Auto-guidance system allows farmers to maintain straight rows during farm operations and to come back to the same rows the next season. They allow more precise input application with these systems. 8. Proximate sensors Proximate sensors can be used to measure soil (N and pH) and crop properties as the tractor passes over the field. The soil sample is scooped, pressed against an electrode, stabilization period of about 10-15 seconds allowed, and the reading taken.
- 28. 9. Remote sensors Remote sensors are generally categorized as aerial or satellite sensors. They can indicate variations in field color that corresponds to changes in soil type, crop development, field boundaries, roads, water etc. Remote science in agricultural terms means viewing crop from overhead (from a satellite or low flying aircraft) without coming into contact, recording what is viewed and displaying the image and provide the map to pinpoint the field problems more earlier and more effectively. In remote sensing, information transfer is accomplished by use of electromagnetic radiation (EMR). EMR is a form of energy that reveals its presence by the observable effects it produces when it strikes the matter. Due to remote sensing we have been able to observe large regions suitable for agriculture, making use of sensors to measure energy at wavelengths which are beyond the range of human vision (ultraviolet infrared, etc.) and globally monitoring earth possible from nearly any site. Remote sensing technology can be used to provide valuable information on various agricultural resources which influences production. Some of the broad agricultural application areas are:
- 29. 1.Water stress: The use of remote sensors to directly measure soil moisture has had very limited success. 2.Insect detection: Aerial or satellite remote sensing has not been successfully used to identify and locate insects directly. Indirect detection of insects through the detection of plant stress has generally been used in annual crops. 3.Nutrient stress: Plant nitrogen stress areas can be located in the field using high- resolution colour infrared aerial images. The reflectance of near infrared, visible red and visible green wavelengths have a high correlation to the amount of applied nitrogen in the field.
- 30. 4.Crop production forecasting: It includes the identification of crops, acreage estimation and yield forecasting. 5.Soil mapping: Soil maps afford the information on the suitability and limitation of the soil for agricultural production, which are helpful in selection of proper cropping system and optimal land use planning. 6.Wasteland mapping: Information on degraded and wasteland e.g. salt affected areas, acidic soils, eroded soils, water logged area, dryland etc.
- 31. 10. Computer hardware and software In order to analyses the data collected by other precision agriculture technology components and to make it available in usable formats such as maps, graphs, charts or reports, computer support is needed.
- 32. DRAWBACKS High cost Lack of technical expertise knowledge and technology Not applicable or difficult/costly for small land holdings Heterogeneity of cropping systems and market imperfections
- 33. Challenges To Precision Farming In India Resistance in adopting new technology: High illiteracy among Indian farmers holds them back from adopting technology in agriculture practices. Various initiatives taken by public and private sector towards ICT adoptability in agriculture has not generated desired result in terms of awareness, and adoptability. Economic Challenges: Higher initial cost-Precision farming includes many expensive machines and tools which are beyond the economic reach of small and marginal farmers. Operational cost of machine and tools under precision agriculture are the fear factor for its adoption. Financial credit to farmers can help to stimulate agriculture technology adoption. Social And Behavioural Factors- The lack of awareness and absence of dedicated education of precision agriculture among farming communities is major obstacle for its adoption. Indian farming is predominated by age old farming practices. The same agriculture practices are being carried out from generation. Resistance and rigidity are two major hurdles in adoption of precision farming.
- 34. Connectivity Challenges- As technology progresses and the Internet of Things is increasingly a part of the farmer’s arsenal, connectivity becomes an increasing challenge. Relying on a strong internet connection - 4G or higher will be required for many new technologies in precision agriculture - is a gamble when rural locations are often inherent in the business models of customers. Especially in the developing world, but across North America too, a lack of good connectivity will pose a barrier to uptake in technology and slow the rise of precision agriculture. Digital farming can only progress as long as connectivity speeds keep up. A Lack Of Scalability- Agriculture can exist on any scale, from one-man operations to powerful conglomerates operating over hundreds of hectares. Often, the problems encountered by each operation will be similar, and require similar solutions. For precision agriculture to take hold, any technology that farmers are expected to implement must be scalable to the size of their own operation. Personal gardens and industrial agriculture should be able to leverage the same tools for precision farming to become ubiquitous. What’s more, for these tools to be optimized they should be able to self-configure without the need for time-consuming manual adjustments based on local characteristics. Data Management In Agriculture Even a small contemporary farm has hundreds of thousands of data points where information can be gathered. Trying to understand this data as it surges in on a daily basis is an impossible task, and even attempting to process this data in real time will be a losing battle for precision agriculturalists.
- 35. “ICAR-Network Programme on Precision Agriculture (ICAR-NePPA)” The Network Programme has been developed initially involving 16 partner Institutes (covering major zones) with the ICAR-IARI as lead. Considering the challenges in Indian agriculture and opportunities in advances of technologies, digital ecosystem and recent government initiatives, the programme is well designed to develop precision AG-Techs for sustained enhanced input use and production system with safe environment and quality produce to make agriculture a profit making enterprise. -(Source: Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi)
- 36. CONCLUSION Precision agriculture aims to optimize field-level management with regard to crop science by matching farming practices more closely to crop needs. Its implementation might take several years before you have sufficient data to fully implement the system. Initial capital cost may ne high and so it should be seen as a long term investment. Minimize the risk to the environment particularly with respect to nitrate leaching and groundwater contamination via the optimization of agrochemical products.
- 37. SOURCE AND REFERENCES • http://www.journalcra.com/sites/default/files/Download%20366.pdf) • Precision Agriculture - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics • Precision Agriculture | Home • What is Precision Agriculture and How is Technology Enabling it? • ADVANTAGES OF PRECISION AGRICUTURE - Google Search • The Benefits of Modern Precision Farming • Modern-farming-620x330.jpg • Tools of precision farming • http://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/agriculture/why-farmers-today-need- to-take-uo-precision-farming-64659