Co-author: Govindaraj Kamalam Dinesh
With the world's population increasing alarmingly, it is estimated that it will reach 9 billion by 2050 (Walker, 2016). This puts enormous pressure on improving agricultural production to feed the surging population from available cultivable lands. Despite low productivity, other hurdles include the unavailability of sufficient cultivable area, fragmentation of land holdings, biotic losses, insufficient availability of natural resources, poor mechanization, and inadequate input use efficiency. Hence, boosting agricultural production using conventional methods is unrealistic and urging the need for an even better version of agriculture – "precision agriculture".
What is precision agriculture?
Precision agriculture, as the name suggests, is the accurate management of the croplands where the inputs are utilized in precise amounts, thus paving the way for increased production. Precision agriculture deals with optimizing yields by employing information, technology, and management. It radically changes productivity by using minimal external inputs, especially for small farmers and poor and developing countries. Besides requiring low inputs, less labor requirements, and reduced time, this approach substantially deals with productivity, profitability, and sustainability. It is a technology-dependent agriculture that will play a crucial role in the third agricultural revolution.
What does precision agriculture involve?
Precision agriculture deals with crop-specific management practices rather than the overall cropland management followed by conventional methods. It allows exact and timely management of each crop plot, optimizes yields, reduces overuse of inputs, reduces environmental impact, provides better risk management, and provides farmers with higher farm income. This precision agriculture approach involves the following tools and technologies:
- Global Positioning System (GPS)
GPS is a satellite-based program used to map and collect field-level data. The GPS device is mounted on either the vehicle or the farm equipment, giving accurate information on the farm boundary and the field's location, shape, and size. It also offers particulars on the various farm elements like soil type, irrigation structures, weed invasion, pest occurrence, drainage systems, and fencing lines. This allows the farmers to schedule various field operations accordingly.
- Geographical information system (GIS)
The GIS is a database program and a computerized map designed for storing, analyzing and retrieving information such as topography, soil types, land use, irrigation and drainage systems, farm layout, climate patterns, pests and diseases, and overall crop yields. It helps in site-specific management practices.
- Grid sampling
This method involves dividing the field into small areas, and the soil sample from each grid is sent to the laboratory for testing. The laboratory provides the necessary details on the soil's pH, organic matter, and nutrients. This method is pivotal in predicting the application rates of various inputs like fertilizers and irrigation.
- Variable rate technology (VRT)
This technique is based on the idea that each region in the field has different soil and crop characteristics. Hence, it becomes evident that each field region has different input requirements.VRT involves the precise controlling of inputs required for each area in the field.
- Yield monitors and yield maps
Yield monitors assess the yield of crops as they pass through the harvesting machine. The sensors measure the yield while the data recording device records the yield data obtained. These monitors analyze the spatial variability of yield and identify areas of low yield rates. Based on the data obtained, yield maps are formulated, which provide insights into the yields of various parts across the same field, resulting in precise input application.
- Remote sensors
Remote sensors are aerial or satellite-based devices that pinpoint and evaluate the field from the overhead position or aerial view. This method gives accurate information on the crop without direct contact by recording and displaying the field images.
- Proximate sensors
Proximate sensors give real-time information on soil properties (like nitrogen content and pH) and crop properties. These sensors may be mounted on vehicles or farm implements to provide information as they move through the field.
- Computer hardware and software
The computer aids in recording, storing, and analyzing various data obtained and presents it in summarised forms like charts and graphs.
Principles of precision agriculture
Focus on efficiency
Precision agriculture, by making use of GPS, sensors, and other technological advancements, helps in the precise management of resources, giving higher yields as well as reducing waste and avoiding excess costs. At the same time, climate-smart agriculture addresses the broader aspects of climate resilience and greenhouse emissions and thus focuses only on long-term benefits.
Increased productivity
Precision agriculture focuses on specific crop needs, thus increasing productivity, while climate-smart agriculture, with its principal aim of long-term sustainability, generates lower yields comparatively.
Technology-driven
Precision agriculture relies on technology to improve farm yield, while climate-smart agriculture still emphasizes the traditional and sustainable aspects of farming.
Cost-effectiveness
Finally, precision agriculture reduces the cost of production by precisely utilizing inputs and is thus cost-effective. Climate-smart agriculture, on the other hand, requires the adoption of new practices like agroforestry and conservation agriculture, which may not generate economic returns immediately.
Focus on specificity
Precision agriculture aims at specificity by focusing on specific crop-based needs, while climate-smart agriculture does not focus on addressing immediate on-farm issues.
Thus, precision agriculture is both highly productive and efficient in terms of resource utilization, while climate-smart agriculture is a more comprehensive approach targeting long-term global climate challenges.
How are precision agriculture farmers friendly?
- Precision agriculture is easily adaptable to conventional agriculture without much endeavor. The technologies are user-friendly and do not require much technical knowledge and skills.
- Precision agriculture is a financially sustainable option since it reduces the overall cost by optimizing resource utilization.
- With its technological breakthroughs, farmers can save a lot of time, allowing them to focus on other farm operations.
- Precision agriculture leads to higher productivity by employing precise management tools and thus generating higher profits.
- For farmers who aspire to take up sustainable agriculture, precision agriculture would be a great preference since it overlooks the overuse of inputs, enabling an environment-friendly variant of agriculture.
How precision agriculture is climate-friendly?
Precision agriculture (PA) is becoming an invaluable approach to fighting climate change, improving crop yields, and minimizing environmental impact. Through the use of cutting-edge technologies like GPS, drones, satellite imaging, and sensors, PA facilitates farmers' capacity to work smarter, improve agriculture sustainability practices, and thereby cut down on GHG emissions.
1. Reduced use of Synthetic Fertilizer
Precision Agriculture (PA) fine-tuning of fertilizer and pesticide application limits excess use by eliminating nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. A study reported that precision agriculture can reduce fertilizer application by 10–20% (Adesemoye et al. 2009).
2. Optimized Irrigation
The soil moisture monitoring and precision irrigation systems developed by PA reduce water waste and associated energy costs of pumping and water treatment. PA helps to reduce water usage by about 20 to 30% (Sanghera, 2021)
3. Improved Crop Yields
By PA's data-driven decision-making, we can reduce the need to convert more land for agriculture and allow farmers to optimize crop growth without expanding their footprint. It is possible to increase crop yield by 10 – 20% by adopting PA (Vatin et al., 2024)
4. Soil Conservation
PA employs reduced tillage and a more optimal rotation to limit soil erosion, maintain soil organic carbon, and decrease GHG emissions. A study found that conservation tillage can reduce soil erosion by 50 to 70% (Nyakatawa et al. 2001)
Case studies of precision agriculture
Impact on a large farmer from Australia (Robertson et al. 2007)
The following case study documents the precision agriculture practices followed by a farmer in Western Australia. The farmer Stuart McAlpine planted about 3400 ha (8401.5 acres) of wheat, barley, lupins, and canola in the Northern wheat belt of Western Australia. The area receives an annual rainfall of about 330 mm and soils ranging from deep yellow soils to gravels. Stuart began using precision agriculture tools like yield mapping in 1996. He employs yield mapping as a record-keeping mechanism and the variable rate technology for efficient nutrient application. According to him, precision agriculture has led to efficient fertilizer application, timely sowing, less fuel usage, improved yield potential, and an overall enhanced knowledge of crop management. Potential benefits of a variable rate of nitrogen application are a 1% (or about $1.3/ha) increase in gross margin. The largest benefits come from reduced chemical usage ($12/ha), less fuel use ($4/ha), and more timely sowing ($4/ha). He observed an overall increase of $20/ha in the gross margin. Thus, the farmer has benefited from the overall increased yield, enhanced farm income, and reduced input requirement.
Impact on a medium farmer from India (Ravikumar and Gopu, 2021).
Precision agriculture has gained momentum recently, but it is still unattainable by most small farmers. Yet some farmers have successfully adopted precision agriculture and have undoubtedly made success. The case study focuses on how a farmer from the Dharmapuri district of Tamilnadu – one of the most backward districts and drought-prone areas, which are majorly rain-fed, has triumphantly incorporated precision agriculture into his field. Mr R.Velapan, a 55-year-old farmer from Dharmapuri, owns about 2.75 ha or 6.8 acres of agricultural land. The farmer cultivates papaya and guava in about 2 acres each. He has received training in precision farming from KVK and TNAU. Mr.Velapan has successfully implemented precision agriculture on his farm. He has attained annual sales of Rs 7,00,000 to Rs.10,00,000 (8,100 to 11,600$) through precision agriculture. According to him, precision agriculture has reduced the cost of inputs like fertilizers to a greater extent, which has helped increase his overall profit. Now, he is very much satisfied with the outcomes of precision agriculture combined with its efforts to reduce soil and environmental degradation.
Challenges in precision agriculture
Despite the urging need to transform conventional agriculture, adopting precision agriculture is also challenging. Precision agriculture has certain disadvantages:
- High initial cost
- Challenges in data management
- Lack of technical skill
- Inadequate infrastructure
- Higher dependency on technology
- Limited access to smallholders.
The future
Precision agriculture leverages technology to increase yields with minimal inputs. Despite many positive aspects, the adoption of precision agriculture remains unattainable. Still today, precision agriculture is a mere concept in many developing countries, and its adoption requires huge capital. Hence, precision agriculture, when adopted, undoubtedly increases productivity and profitability while considering environmental concerns.
References
- https://www.cropin.com/precision-agriculture
- Robertson, M., Carberry, P., & Brennan, L. (2007). The economic benefits of precision agriculture: case studies from Australian grain farms. Crop Pasture Sci, 60, 2012
- Walker, R. J. (2016). Population growth and its implications for global security. American Journal of Economics and Sociology, 75(4), 980-1004.
- Adesemoye, A. O., Torbert, H. A., & Kloepper, J. W. (2009). Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria allow reduced application rates of chemical fertilizers. Microbial ecology, 58, 921-929.
- Sanghera, G. S. (2021). Strategies to Enhance Input Use Efficiency and Productivity of Sugarcane through Precision Agriculture. Int. J. Curr. Microbiol. App. Sci, 10(06), 774-801. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2022.121510
- Vatin, N. I., Joshi, S. K., Acharya, P., Sharma, R., & Rajasekhar, N. (2024). Precision Agriculture and Sustainable Yields: Insights from IoT-Driven Farming and the Precision Agriculture Test. In BIO Web of Conferences (Vol. 86, p. 01091). EDP Sciences.
- Nyakatawa, E. Z., Reddy, K. C., & Lemunyon, J. L. (2001). Predicting soil erosion in conservation tillage cotton production systems using the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE). Soil and Tillage Research, 57(4), 213-224.
- Robertson, M., Carberry, P., & Brennan, L. (2007). The economic benefits of precision agriculture: case studies from Australian grain farms. Crop Pasture Sci, 60, 2012.
- Ravikumar, R., & Gopu, A. J. (2021). A case study of farmers practicing precision agriculture in Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu. Strad Research, 8(10). https://doi.org/10.37896/sr8.10/011