What is Precision Farming and why is important for India’s sustainable agriculture?

India’s ambitious goal to achieve net zero by 2070 is impossible if we overlook the agriculture sector. The reason is quite clear: India's large dependence on its agriculture contributes to 14% of the GDP and gives employment to nearly half the population (58% of the workforce). India’s 13% of exports are from agriculture, which includes different demographic dividends for labourers and cultivators. It promotes inclusive growth in the rural economy and helps sustain food security. 

In recent decades, the share of agriculture in GDP has declined, and overall productivity has witnessed a dip compared to China, despite having diverse geographical advantages. We surely have come a long way. From being hit by frequent plagues by famines and chronic food shortages to food for all, we have incorporated the ‘Right to Food’ and a ‘Green Revolution’. Scientists and policies in the 1960s helped India have a breakthrough and success in agriculture with its ‘Green Revolution’ after Independence. Aiming to achieve net-zero carbon emissions and foster sustainable agricultural practices, precision farming (PF) techniques emerge as a transformative solution, particularly in the context of India's agricultural landscape. With a burgeoning population and increasing pressure on land and resources, the adoption of precision farming holds immense promise for enhancing agricultural productivity, minimising environmental impact, and mitigating the effects of climate change. 

Dr. Pierre Roberts introduced precision farming to big farms in the United States as a solution to the issue of nutrient deficiency. The primary goals were to maximise output, reduce input costs, and reduce environmental pollution. Geo-referenced grid soil sampling made it possible to evaluate field variability and eliminate the need for a composite sample that served as a single suggestion for the whole farm. As the harvester travelled across the field, the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) made it easier to record crop yields. The yield fluctuation and the nutrient levels noted in the grid sample might be readily connected. This made it possible to divide the area into more manageable, uniformly smaller parts. 

Precision farming means managing the farm with the help of technology to ensure soil health and promote overall productivity. Precision farming, also known as precision agriculture, entails the application of advanced technologies and data-driven approaches to optimise resource use, maximise crop yields, and minimise input waste. By harnessing real-time data, satellite imagery, sensors, and automation, precision farming enables farmers to make informed decisions tailored to the specific needs of their crops, soil conditions, and environmental factors. The adoption of precision farming techniques represents a paradigm shift towards a more sustainable and resilient agricultural sector. From smallholder farmers in rural villages to large-scale agribusinesses, stakeholders across the agricultural value chain stand to benefit from the implementation of precision farming practices. Some of the essential techniques used in precision farming are:

Satellite positioning systems (GPS): It uses a network of orbiting satellites to monitor crop conditions, analysing precise location details from space. 

Sensors (optical): They provide essential information on soil properties, fertility, and water levels.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS): It helps in understanding the factors affecting a crop on a specific site by sharing information on data parameters.

Grid soil sampling is used in soil management for specific sites.

Remote sensing uses satellites to collect data, monitor crop health, and monitor related parameters.

Variable rate technology: It helps in automating the application of materials such as fertilisers, pesticides, seeds, and irrigation on the land.

Laser land levellers: levelling of a field within a certain degree of the desired slope using a guided laser beam throughout the field.

Combine harvesters with yield monitors. Continuously measure and record the grain flow in the combine's clean grain elevator. When linked with a GPS receiver, a yield monitor furnishes the necessary data for yield maps.

Leaf-coloured charts: an instant, easy, and low-cost technique for N diagnosis of a crop (see Box 17 for more).

Automated irrigation systems: systems that allow for minimal manual intervention apart from surveillance. Systems (drip, sprinkler, surface) are automated with timers, sensors, computers, or mechanical appliances.

Crucially, precision farming techniques offer a multifaceted approach to addressing the complex challenges facing Indian agriculture, including water scarcity, soil degradation, pest infestations, and fluctuating market prices. By optimising inputs such as water, fertilisers, and pesticides, precision farming not only improves crop yields and quality but also reduces environmental pollution and conserves natural resources. Furthermore, precision farming facilitates the integration of climate-smart agricultural practices, enabling farmers to adapt to changing climatic conditions and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. By incorporating techniques such as controlled irrigation, variable-rate fertilisation, and crop rotation, farmers can minimise their carbon footprint while enhancing the resilience of their agricultural systems.