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Overview |
Crop Production |
Crop Pattern |
Crop Yield |
Irrigation |
Soil Management | Precision Farming |
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Operationalization of Precision Farming in India
4.1 Remote Sensing
This is for Data acquisition of the farms to find the soil, vegetation and other parameters that are amenable for remote sensing. Remote sensing techniques play an important role in precision farming by providing continuous acquired data of agricultural crops. Remote sensors image vegetation, which is growing on different soil types with different water availability, substrate, impact of cultivation, and relief. These differences influence the state of the plants and cause heterogeneous regions within single fields. Hence, the heterogeneous vegetation acts as an interface between soil and remote sensing information, because vegetation parameters describing the state of the plants can be deduced from remote sensing imagery. The analysis of the variability occurring within the field was carried out by measuring soil and plant parameters through conventional methods as well as through spectral techniques using ground truth spectroradiometer (350-1800 nm) and satellite data. Ray et al. (2001), in general, have reviewed by Moran et al. (1997) and for Indian conditions the potentials of remote sensing in providing information required for precision farming.
4.2 Geographical information system
The Geographic Information System (GIS) contributes significantly to precision farming by allowing presentation of spatial data in the form of a map. In addition, GIS forms an ideal platform for the storage and management of model input data and the presentation of model results, which the process model provides.
4.3 DGPS
‘Do the right thing, in the right place and in right time’
– This is where GPS comes into picture. In addition, the accuracy, which is the important factor in PF, demands for DGPS (Differential Global Positioning System). GPS makes use of a series of military satellites that identify the location of farm equipment within a meter of an actual site in the field. The value of knowing a precise location within inches is that:
- Locations 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 Global Positioning System (GPS) technology provides accurate positioning system necessary for field implementation of variable rate technology (VRT). The Internet makes possible the development of a mechanism for effective farm management using remote sensing.
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