Precision Farming
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1 Definition: Precision Farming is generally defined as an information and technology based farm management system to identify, analyze and manage variability within fields for optimum profitability, sustainability and protection of the land resource. In this mode of farming, new information technologies can be used to make better decisions about many aspects of crop production. Precision farming involves looking at the increased efficiencies that can be realized by understanding and dealing with the natural variability found within a field. The goal is not to obtain the same yield everywhere, but rather to manage and distribute inputs on a site specific basis to maximize long term cost/benefit.

2 The Need for Precision Agriculture

The potential of precision farming for economical and environmental benefits could bevisualized through reduced use of water, fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides besides the farm equipments. Instead of managing an entire field based upon some hypothetical average condition, which may not exist anywhere in the field, a precision farming approach recognizes site-specific differences within fields and adjusts management actions accordingly. Farmers usually are aware that their fields have variable yields across the landscape. These variations can be traced to management practices, soil properties and/or environmental characteristics. Soil characteristics that affect yields include texture, structure, moisture, organic matter, nutrient status and landscape position. Environmental characteristics include weather, weeds, insects and diseases.

3 Technologies for Precision Farming

In order to collect and utilize information eff ectively, it is important for anyone considering precision farming to be familiar with the modern technological tools available. The vast array of tools include hardware, soft ware and the best management practices. These are enlisted as follows.

1. Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers
2. Yield monitoring and mapping
3. Grid soil sampling and variable-rate fertilizer (VRT) application
4. Remote sensing
5. Crop scouting
6. Geographic information systems (GIS)
7. Information management
8. dentifying a precision agriculture service provider
9. Quantifying on Farm Variability





5 The approach required by the policy makers to promote Precision farming

1. Promote the precision farming technology for the specific progressive farmers who
2. have sufficient risk bearing capacity as this technology may require capital investment.
3. Identification of niche areas for the promotion of crop specific organic farming.
4. Encourage the farmers to adopt water accounting protocols at farm level.
5. Promote use of micro level irrigation systems and water saving techniques.
6. Encourage study of spatial and temporal variability of the input parameters using primary data at field level.
7. Evolve a policy for efficient transfer of technology to the farmers.
8. Provide complete technical backup support to the farmers to develop pilots or models, which can be replicated on a large scale.
9. Policy support on procurement prices, in formulation of cooperative groups or self help groups
10. Designation of export promotion zones with necessary infrastructure such as cold storage, processing and grading facilities