Precision Agriculture and ICT: Future Farming

Abstract

Current farming equipments that are being used in the country are not sufficed to bridge yield gaps between average and progressive farmers due to conventional nature and lack of standardization. The potential crop yield gap can be narrowed by applying site-specific agricultural inputs precisely through decision support mechanisms. The Precision Agriculture is an environment friendly system, which aims at reducing amount of inputs required to grow crops and focuses on increasing yield by increasing the efficiency of inputs. The spatial variability of soils can be mapped and yield monitors can be adopted to map yield. The researchers have developed Precision Seed drills and Variable Rate Applicators of fertilizer and pesticides. Such systems have resulted in 25 – 50% saving in use of Nitrogen alone. We need to reverse engineer and adapt available technologies and engineering options.
Use of Agricultural Drones and satellites is a hot topic of research. In advanced countries, most of the crop monitoring, yield mapping and agrochemical spraying is being carried out by manned and un-manned aerial vehicles. It needs to be introduced in the country while developing flight laws. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in Farm Production Systems using Precision Agriculture Techniques and Mobile Agriculture Applications (MAgA) for research distribution & real time interaction with farmers could be a game changer. Other ICT applications include dissemination of knowledge and provision of databases for a better planning and land use. LRMIS in Punjab has digitized land records. The province of Sindh is also close to achieving the target. Punjab should share the experience with the Baluchistan province for a better land management future. Its future uses will include a possibility of better provision of credit facilities and site-specific advisory services.