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THE PRECISION Agriculture (PA) or site specific farming is basically a low-input, high-efficiency, sustainable agriculture system that mainly benefits from the emergence and convergence of several technologies, involving the use of GPS and remote sensing for data collection, GIS for data processing and analysis and variable rate technology for implementing ideal models. These techniques have numerous applications ranging from row crops to dairy industry and widely adopted across the globe especially the developed world.
Here are some core innovations entailing PA.
Global Positioning System (GPS)
GPS is a satellite-based navigation system made up of a network of satellites placed into an orbit. GPS has commercial as well as scientific uses. In agriculture, its main uses include field mapping, soil sampling, tractor guidance, crop scouting, variable rate applications and yield mapping. It allows farmers to work during low visibility field conditions such as rain, dust, fog, and darkness. By GPS, we can accurately map field boundaries, roads and can navigate to specific locations within field. Pest problem areas in crops can be pinpointed and mapped for future management decisions and input recommendations. Using Crop dusters equipped with GPS, we can apply chemicals only where needed, minimizing chemical drift, reducing the amount of chemicals needed, thereby benefiting the environment. Farmers and agriculture service providers can expect even further improvements as GPS continues to modernize.
Geographical Information System (GIS)
GIS is a technological tool for comprehending geography and making intelligent decisions. GIS allows us to view, understand, question, interpret, and visualize data in many ways that reveal relationships, patterns, and trends in the form of maps, globes, reports, and charts. GIS operates on many levels. On the most basic level, GIS is used as computer cartography i.e. mapping.
GIS software can be used to forecast elements that may affect your agricultural productivity. Identifying and understanding the changeable elements in your land empowers you to create accurate forecasts, and plan for maximum productivity. GIS allows farmers to determine where deficiencies exist, search for the cause of the deficiencies, and make management decisions necessary to improve productivity in the problem areas. With GIS and GPS systems, farmers can have access to a tremendous amount of information on yield variation, soil properties, topography, water absorption, plant health during the growing season and records of chemical use.
Remote Sensing
Remote sensing is the technique of obtaining information about objects by special instruments that are not in physical contact with the objects of investigation. There are two main types of remote sensing: active and passive remote sensing, later most commonly used in agriculture. It senses the electromagnetic energy reflected from plants. Remote sensing imagery has many applications in mapping land-use and cover, agriculture, soils mapping, forestry, and geo-morphological surveying. For example, foresters use aerial photographs for preparing forest cover maps, locating possible access roads, and measuring quantities of trees harvested. Specialized photography using color infrared film has also been used to detect disease and insect damage in forest trees. Remotely sensed images can be used to identify nutrient deficiencies, diseases, water deficiency or surplus, weed infestations, insect damage, hail damage, wind damage, herbicide damage and plant populations. Information from remote sensing can be used as base maps in variable rate applications of fertilizers and pesticides. Information from remotely sensed images allows farmers to treat only affected areas of a field.
Around the world, precision agriculture developed at a varying pace. Precursor nations were the USA, Canada and Australia. In Europe, the United Kingdom was the first to go down this path, followed closely by France.
Today, agriculture demands improved productivity and efficiency. To feed the staggering population, we have only two options; either to increase the inherent potential of crops that is only possible through genetic engineering and biotechnology or to harvest the existing potential through better management practices. By practising PA, we can reduce our expenses by more precise application of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers so producing a higher yield, and creating a more environment friendly farm.
PA is gaining in popularity largely due to the introduction of high technology tools that are more accurate, cost effective and user friendly. Precision agriculture management practices can significantly reduce the amount of nutrient and other crops inputs used while boosting yields. The second, larger-scale benefit of targeting inputs; in spatial, temporal and quantitative terms, concerns environmental impacts. Applying the right amount of inputs in the right place and at the right time benefits crops, soils and groundwater, and thus the entire crop cycle. Consequently, PA has become a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture, since it respects crops, soils and farmers.
Many believe that the benefits of precision agriculture can only be realized on large farms with huge capital investments and experience with information technologies. It seems true as it needs huge capital as well as technical skills. But the government should Practice PA technologies in large-scale, government-run farms or adaptive research stations first. It should also encourage commercial farmers to adapt this noble innovation and if possible provide some facilitation. Of course, it will increase the food production in the country, ensuring food security and is also environmentally safe.
After its successful implementation at government farms and research stations, pre-assembled, pre-proofed PA technique modules in rural areas can be introduced to farmers through extension services or social services. Then gradually expand the scale of PA applications as the farm sizes increase. PA can be extended into precision livestock husbandry, precision horticulture, precision post-processing, and precision management. Government should develop information and knowledge-based technology modules to provide strong support to agriculture. These modules may include GIS, sensors and data-acquisition systems, yield monitors, yield mapping systems, precision water-saving irrigation systems, spot sprayers, animal identification systems, information-management and decision-support systems, and multi-media systems.
Pakistan has very low average national yield of major staple food crops (wheat and Rice) as compared to existing potential. To exploit it, precision farming is a decent choice but without active involvement and encouragement of government, it seems impractical as PA needs substantial capital and technical skills
By Muhammad Imran Azeem, Muhammad Afzal and Muhammad Matloob Javed Students of the International Research Students at King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
THE PRECISION Agriculture (PA) or site specific farming is basically a low-input, high-efficiency, sustainable agriculture system that mainly benefits from the emergence and convergence of several technologies, involving the use of GPS and remote sensing for data collection, GIS for data processing and analysis and variable rate technology for implementing ideal models. These techniques have numerous applications ranging from row crops to dairy industry and widely adopted across the globe especially the developed world. Here are some core innovations entailing PA. Global Positioning System (GPS)GPS is a satellite-based navigation system made up of a network of satellites placed into an orbit. GPS has commercial as well as scientific uses. In agriculture, its main uses include field mapping, soil sampling, tractor guidance, crop scouting, variable rate applications and yield mapping. It allows farmers to work during low visibility field conditions such as rain, dust, fog, and darkness. By GPS, we can accurately map field boundaries, roads and can navigate to specific locations within field. Pest problem areas in crops can be pinpointed and mapped for future management decisions and input recommendations. Using Crop dusters equipped with GPS, we can apply chemicals only where needed, minimizing chemical drift, reducing the amount of chemicals needed, thereby benefiting the environment. Farmers and agriculture service providers can expect even further improvements as GPS continues to modernize. Geographical Information System (GIS)GIS is a technological tool for comprehending geography and making intelligent decisions. GIS allows us to view, understand, question, interpret, and visualize data in many ways that reveal relationships, patterns, and trends in the form of maps, globes, reports, and charts. GIS operates on many levels. On the most basic level, GIS is used as computer cartography i.e. mapping. GIS software can be used to forecast elements that may affect your agricultural productivity. Identifying and understanding the changeable elements in your land empowers you to create accurate forecasts, and plan for maximum productivity. GIS allows farmers to determine where deficiencies exist, search for the cause of the deficiencies, and make management decisions necessary to improve productivity in the problem areas. With GIS and GPS systems, farmers can have access to a tremendous amount of information on yield variation, soil properties, topography, water absorption, plant health during the growing season and records of chemical use.Remote SensingRemote sensing is the technique of obtaining information about objects by special instruments that are not in physical contact with the objects of investigation. There are two main types of remote sensing: active and passive remote sensing, later most commonly used in agriculture. It senses the electromagnetic energy reflected from plants. Remote sensing imagery has many applications in mapping land-use and cover, agriculture, soils mapping, forestry, and geo-morphological surveying. For example, foresters use aerial photographs for preparing forest cover maps, locating possible access roads, and measuring quantities of trees harvested. Specialized photography using color infrared film has also been used to detect disease and insect damage in forest trees. Remotely sensed images can be used to identify nutrient deficiencies, diseases, water deficiency or surplus, weed infestations, insect damage, hail damage, wind damage, herbicide damage and plant populations. Information from remote sensing can be used as base maps in variable rate applications of fertilizers and pesticides. Information from remotely sensed images allows farmers to treat only affected areas of a field. Around the world, precision agriculture developed at a varying pace. Precursor nations were the USA, Canada and Australia. In Europe, the United Kingdom was the first to go down this path, followed closely by France. Today, agriculture demands improved productivity and efficiency. To feed the staggering population, we have only two options; either to increase the inherent potential of crops that is only possible through genetic engineering and biotechnology or to harvest the existing potential through better management practices. By practising PA, we can reduce our expenses by more precise application of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers so producing a higher yield, and creating a more environment friendly farm.PA is gaining in popularity largely due to the introduction of high technology tools that are more accurate, cost effective and user friendly. Precision agriculture management practices can significantly reduce the amount of nutrient and other crops inputs used while boosting yields. The second, larger-scale benefit of targeting inputs; in spatial, temporal and quantitative terms, concerns environmental impacts. Applying the right amount of inputs in the right place and at the right time benefits crops, soils and groundwater, and thus the entire crop cycle. Consequently, PA has become a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture, since it respects crops, soils and farmers. Many believe that the benefits of precision agriculture can only be realized on large farms with huge capital investments and experience with information technologies. It seems true as it needs huge capital as well as technical skills. But the government should Practice PA technologies in large-scale, government-run farms or adaptive research stations first. It should also encourage commercial farmers to adapt this noble innovation and if possible provide some facilitation. Of course, it will increase the food production in the country, ensuring food security and is also environmentally safe.After its successful implementation at government farms and research stations, pre-assembled, pre-proofed PA technique modules in rural areas can be introduced to farmers through extension services or social services. Then gradually expand the scale of PA applications as the farm sizes increase. PA can be extended into precision livestock husbandry, precision horticulture, precision post-processing, and precision management. Government should develop information and knowledge-based technology modules to provide strong support to agriculture. These modules may include GIS, sensors and data-acquisition systems, yield monitors, yield mapping systems, precision water-saving irrigation systems, spot sprayers, animal identification systems, information-management and decision-support systems, and multi-media systems. Pakistan has very low average national yield of major staple food crops (wheat and Rice) as compared to existing potential. To exploit it, precision farming is a decent choice but without active involvement and encouragement of government, it seems impractical as PA needs substantial capital and technical skillsBy Muhammad Imran Azeem, Muhammad Afzal and Muhammad Matloob Javed Students of the International Research Students at King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.