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The easiest way to understand precision farming is to think of it as everything that makes the practice of farming more accurate and controlled when it comes to the growing of crops and raising livestock.
Features of Precisions Farming
- 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 (It enables the variable application of inputs and allows farmers to control the amount of inputs they apply in a specific location)
. GPS based soil sampling (Soil sampling allows growers to consider productivity differences within a field and formulate a plan that takes these differences into account)
. automated hardware, telematics, and software (Computer applications can be used to create precise farm plans, field maps, crop scouting and yield maps)
- An information and technology-based farm management system identifies, analyses and manages variability in fields by conducting crop production practices at the right place and time and in the right way, for optimum profitability, sustainability and protection of the land resource.
- Research suggests educational and economic challenges as the two most important factors in the application of precision agriculture.
. Among the variables that contribute to educational challenges, lack of local experts, funds, knowledgeable research and extension personnel have more of an impact compared to others.
. Precision agriculture and initial costs have more of an impact among the economic challenges compared to the other issues.
- Advantages of precision farming
. Increase in 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
. Precision farming changes the socio-economic status of farmers
