Geoinformatics and Nanotechnology and Precision
Farming 2(1+1)
Definition, Concepts, Techniques and Issues
of Precision Agriculture
Course Teachers
Dr. M. KUMARESAN, Ph.D.
(Hort.)
School of Agriculture
Vels Institute of Science, Technology
and Advanced Studies (VISTAS)
Pallavaram, Chennai - 600 117
Precision Farming
Precision Farming (PF) - précised application of inputs
(Water, fertilizer, pesticides etc.) at the correct time to the crop
for increasing its productivity and maximizing its yields
Precision Farming is about doing the right thing, in the right
place, in the right way, at the right time. This approach
recognizes site-specific differences within fields and regulates
management actions accordingly
Managing crop production inputs such as water, seed, fertilizer
etc. to increase yield, quality, profit, reduce waste and becomes
eco-friendly - concept based on observing, measuring and
responding to inter and intra-field variability in crops
Precision Farming
• New technologies such as Global Positioning Systems
(GPS), sensors, satellites or aerial images and Geographical
Information Systems (GIS) are utilized to assess and analyze
variations in Agricultural and Horticultural production
Precision farming actually is application of
technologies and principles to manage spatial and
temporal variability associated with all aspects of
production (Pierce and Nowak, 1999)
History of precision farming in India
The history of precision farming in India dates back to the early 2000s when the
country began exploring ways to improve agricultural productivity through advanced
technologies. While traditional farming practices were dominant, there was growing
recognition of the need for more efficient and sustainable agricultural methods.
Key Milestones in the History of Precision Farming in India:
Early 2000s
Introduction of Technology: Precision farming began to gain attention in India with
the introduction of GPS technology and satellite imagery. In this period, the Indian
government, along with research institutions, started exploring ways to use technology
for better land management, irrigation systems, and crop monitoring.
History of precision farming in India
2005
National Initiative on Precision Farming: The Government of India launched the
National Mission on Precision Farming (NMPF), aiming to increase productivity and
reduce input costs. The initiative focused on adopting satellite-based mapping and soil
health management to improve crop yields.
2010s
Growth in Adoption: The use of Global Positioning System (GPS), drones, and
remote sensing technology began to increase. Pilot projects in states like Punjab,
Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh demonstrated the potential of precision farming in
improving crop management and resource use efficiency. Research institutions like
ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) started conducting studies and
training programs to promote these technologies among farmers.
History of precision farming in India
2014-2015
Private Sector Involvement: Private companies and startups began offering technology-
based solutions such as variable rate technology (VRT) for fertilizers, automatic
irrigation systems, and data analytics platforms to help farmers make data-driven
decisions. This period saw the rise of AgTech in India.
Recent Developments
Ongoing Challenges: Despite some progress, precision farming in India still
faces challenges such as high technology costs, limited awareness, small
landholdings, and poor internet connectivity in rural areas. However, ongoing
efforts by the government, research bodies, and the private sector are focused
on making these technologies more accessible to Indian farmers.
Need of precision farming
For assessing and managing field variability: variable yields across the
landscape because of variations to management practices
For doing the right thing in the right place at the right time: After
assessing the variability PF allows management decisions
For higher productivity: Proper management practices, definitely
increase the yield per unit of land
For increasing the effectiveness of inputs: Increased productivity per
unit of input used indicates increased efficiency of the inputs
For maximum use of minimum land unit: After knowing the land
status, a farmer tries to improve each and every part of land and uses it for
the production purpose
Key Concepts in Precision Agriculture
Site-Specific Management (SSM): adjusting farming practices within a
field, as soil quality, moisture, temperature, and crop conditions
Variable Rate Technology (VRT): application of inputs at variable rates
based on the needs
Remote Sensing: helps in monitoring crop health, detecting pest
infestations, or identifying soil issues
Global Positioning System (GPS): Precise tracking of farm equipment for
field mapping and soil sampling
Geographic Information Systems (GIS): decision-making and planning
the site-specific treatments for fields.
Internet of Things (IoT) and Sensors: provide real-time data on soil
moisture, temperature, weather conditions, and crop growth
Techniques in Precision Agriculture
Soil Sampling and Mapping: Create detailed maps of soil properties
Self-directed Machinery: Tractors, combines, and other farm equipment
can be automated and guided by GPS systems
Variable Rate Application (VRA): adjustment of input application on the
go, in real-time, based on GPS data
Crop Monitoring: Drones or satellites are used for remote sensing to
monitor crop health, growth stages, and to detect pest or disease outbreaks
Yield Mapping: Yield monitors on harvesters collect data on crop yield
throughout the field
Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI predict trends,
optimize input usage, and enhance decision-making
Components of Precision Farming
Crop Characteristics : Stage of crop, crop health, nutrient requirements etc
Detailed soil layer with physical and chemical properties, depth, texture,
nutrient status, salinity and toxicity, soil temperature etc.
Micro-climate data (seasonal and daily) about crop canopy temperature,
wind direction and speed, humidity etc.
Surface and sub-surface drainage conditions, Irrigation facilities, water
availability, and other planning inputs of interest
Farm machinery and Equipments equipped with sensors
Benefits
• Precision farming not only is potentially more economical,
but it also reduces the amounts of chemicals released into
the environment.
Other benefits:
• Improves crop yield and profit
• Provides better information for making management decision
• Provides more details & useful farm records
• Reduces fertilizer costs
• Reduces pesticide costs
• Reduces pollution
Basic steps in precision farming
1. Assessing variation
2. Managing variation and
3. Evaluation
There are three important issues regarding
precision agriculture evaluation:
Crop science: by matching farming practices more closely to crop needs
(e.g. fertilizer inputs)
Environmental protection: by reducing environmental risks and footprint of farming
(e.g. limiting leaching of nitrogen)
Economics: by boosting effectiveness through more efficient practices
(e.g. improved management of fertilizer usage and other inputs).
Tools in precision farming
Global Positioning System (GPS) In Precision Agriculture
GPS refers to ground-based technology permitting growers to gather data with accurate
location information in real-time.
GPS is suitable for the following tasks:
Mapping of irrigation systems, fields, and roads
Detection of areas with problem plants
Soil testing in specific field areas
The tractor driving with a parallel steering system
VRA for precise seed and fertilizer application
GIS Technology In Precision Agriculture
GIS in precision agriculture permits farmers to view records, such as soil survey
maps and plant characteristics. Satellite images and aerial photographs provide
additional information. Another handy feature of GIS is analyzing multiple farm
management options by comparing and manipulating data layers.
GIS + Remote Sensing In Precision Agriculture
GIS in Remote Sensing technology allows growers to observe the yield health
using satellite images. They provide up-to-date information on moisture stress,
disease, structural anomalies, and nutrient levels. Modern PF satellite imagery
has a high spectral resolution, allowing growers to get the most accurate data.
VRT In Precision Agriculture
VRT - allows growers to apply fertilizer, chemicals, seeds, etc. to a different parts
of a field depending on their needs. Also, farmers can test the soil for nutrients,
such as nitrogen, and feed only those areas that lack certain nutrients.
Yield Monitoring and Mapping In Precision Agriculture
GPS and satellite remote sensing are used for providing data of landscape, earth,
and weather . PF yield map, EOSDA Crop Monitoring functionality allows
growers to effectively monitor the readiness of crops for harvest with the help of
vegetation indices
NDRE (Normalized Difference Red Edge) index is excellent for such purposes,
which more clearly shows the state of vegetation in the later stages of culture’s
development. It has to analyze the vegetation along with the entire depth of
foliage
Micro Irrigation (Drip Irrigation)
A micro-irrigation system allows growers to effectively plan the field’s irrigation by
identifying areas with high or low soil moisture. Precision agriculture irrigation
makes it possible to carry out variable rate irrigation (VRI) to vary the water
supply volume for different field parts. This level of control can significantly
improve irrigation efficiency and result in significant water savings. One of the
indexes used in EOSDA Crop Monitoring is NDMI.
Site-Specific Crop Management (SSCM)
It is an agricultural management concept based on monitoring, counting, and
reacting to crop variability between fields or within one area. Most current
SSCM methods use accurate global positioning combined with site-specific
measurements to quantify spatial changing field conditions. They are field data
collection (such as pest presence) and remote sensing data (such as from
satellites). EOSDA Crop Monitoring allows growers to use management zones
in precision agriculture effectively. It can identify problem areas in a field with
various possible pathogens: pests, fungus, fertilizer misuse, weeds, lack of
moisture, etc. Once identifying a site with deviations, the farmer can send a scout
to make a report based on the data collected during the inspection.
Soil Mapping In Precision Agriculture
Precision agriculture is impossible without quality ground
mapping. With its help, farmers evaluate the soil properties, its chemical
composition, the nutrients’ presence, etc. Soil mapping practice has existed
for a long time, but modern technologies provide even more detailed
information, making the new generation of digital maps more efficient.
For obtaining data, farmers use several types of precision agriculture sensors:
optical sensors interpret data based on the coefficient of reflection of light
from the ground; electrochemical sensors analyze the soil’s electrical
characteristics, such as the potassium’s presence; mechanical sensors in
contact with the ground determine the types and density of the elements
present
IoT In Precision Agriculture
IoT system gives farmers more control over the field with dedicated data sensors,
remote control, and an IoT platform. With IoT based precision agriculture,
growers can control all the most critical information: from air temperature to soil
conditions
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
AI and precis agriculture are constantly being improved and provide new
intelligent tools for managing agricultural production. Image-based pattern
recognition systems allow applications to adjust the watering and nutrition of
plants according to their type. For example, sprayers equipped with AI can
recognize specific weeds and spray them without affecting the crops
Recent developments in precision agriculture in India
Government initiatives: Indian government is planning to invest Rs 6,000
crore in precision farming. This includes a Smart Precision Horticulture
Programme that will cover 15,000 acres of land over five years.
Apps: Automated FruitScout, AgriApp, Auravant, and xFarm are being used
to support precision agriculture
AI-powered robots: Cameras can scan the ground in real time to avoid
spraying fertilizers
Customized Leaf Colour Chart (CLCC): ICAR-National Rice Research
Institute (NRRI) developed a low-cost CLCC for nitrogen management
Tamil Nadu Precision Farming Project (TNPFF): This project, initiated in
2004-2005, was a key driver of drip irrigation.
Highlights of recent developments in precision agriculture
Drone Technology for Crop Monitoring
Drones equipped with cameras and sensors are being used to monitor crop
health, assess irrigation needs, and detect pest infestations.
Satellite and Remote Sensing
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) provides satellite data for
monitoring soil health, crop conditions, and water availability, aiding
precision farming efforts across vast agricultural areas.
IoT and Smart Sensors
IoT-enabled soil sensors and weather stations help farmers optimize
irrigation, monitor soil conditions, and apply fertilizers and pesticides more
accurately, saving costs and resources.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Decision Support
AI is being used for predictive analytics, such as forecasting pest outbreaks,
disease risks, and weather patterns. AI-driven apps also help with crop
management advice and personalized recommendations.
Highlights of recent developments in precision agriculture
Smart Irrigation Systems
Precision irrigation systems use data from soil sensors and weather forecasts to deliver
the right amount of water
Mobile Apps and Digital Platforms
Platforms like eNAM and apps from agri-tech startups are empowering farmers with
real-time information on weather, market prices, and government schemes, facilitating
better decision-making.
Variable Rate Technology (VRT)
VRT systems are enabling farmers to apply fertilizers, pesticides, and water more
precisely according to soil variability, reducing waste and improving crop yields.
Government Support and Schemes
Initiatives like PM-KISAN and eNAM are promoting digital solutions, financial
support, and market access for farmers
Sustainability Focus
Precision agriculture practices, such as climate-smart agriculture and water-efficient
technologies, are being adopted to increase resilience to climate change and reduce
environmental impacts
Issues in Precision Agriculture
High Initial Costs: Technology and equipment required for PF can be
expensive
Data Management and Integration: Collecting large amounts of data from
various sources can be over lapping
Technical Skills: Use of advanced technologies in PF requires technical
expertise
Connectivity Issues: Many PF technologies depend on internet connectivity
Scalability: Implementing PF practices on a small farm may be possible, but
scaling these technologies up to larger operations can be complex
Access to Technology: Not all farmers have equal access to the technologies
and tools
Drawbacks of precision farming
High cost: It has proven difficult to determine the cost benefits of precision
agriculture management. At present, many of the technologies used are in
their initial stages, and pricing of equipment and services is costly
Lack of technical expertise knowledge and technology: Success of PF
depends largely on how well and how quickly the knowledge needed to guide
the new technologies can be found (India spends only 0.3% of its
agricultural Gross Domestic Product in Research and Development)
Not applicable or difficult/costly for small land holdings
Heterogeneity of cropping systems and market imperfections
