Login

Proceedings

Find matching any: Reset
Add filter to result:
Practical and Affordable Technologies for Precision Agriculture in Small Fields: Present Status and Scope in India
S. Kumar, M. Singh, H. Mirzakhaninafchi, R. U. Modi, M. Ali, M. Bhardwaj, R. Soni
Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India

The objective of this review paper is to find out practical and affordable precision agriculture(PA) technologies present status and scope in India that are suitable for small fields. The judicious use of inputs like water, fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and better management of farm equipments will increase the net profit for farmers. The important components of PA in India which are being used for small lands are Geographic Information System(GIS), laser land leveler, leaf color chart, tensiometer, automatic drip irrigation system, pneumatic planters, soil testing etc. The futuristic PA technologies currently under research are satellite navigator, variable rate applicator, yield monitoring system, nitrogen sensor and drones for imaging and chemicals applications. The use of tensiometers has helped in saving of 20% water in paddy crop while laser levelers helped in saving 22-33% irrigation water. Currently approx 8000 laser land levelers are operational in Punjab State covering about 17.5 lakhs ha area. The excessive consumption of fertilizers resulted in water logging problem of 4.5 million hectares of land and salinity problem in 6.73 million hectares. Research studies have shown that variable rate granular fertilizer applicator has reduced variability up to 15% and saved 13-15% fertilizer as compared to conventional method. A lot of research has been carried out to develop and use drones for chemicals application and using yield monitoring system in combines. The main obstacle in the way of PA adoption is small land holdings. 

Keyword: Precision agriculture, sensors, nutrient management, variable rate