Precision agriculture: what benefits and types of it
Precision agriculture, as a new direction in farming, is being successfully engendered by the Internet of Things (IoT). Due to technological advancements, precision agriculture is now possible for both small and large-scale agricultural companies. Since the development of agriculture, many different types of products implemented. Precision agriculture must implement principles to be successfully sustainable. For instance, agriculture techniques must be environmentally friendly, encouraging healthy biodiversity and intelligent management systems. A farming procedure must be advantageous, or it will fail rapidly. If you find these requirements in farming techniques, it can say that it is already adapted precision agriculture system. For further, let's explore and get to know more about types of agriculture and the benefits of every kind for your companies or businesses.
Types of precision agriculture
The three modern agricultural methods and practices listed below are only some of the many ways you can obtain much more sustainable agriculture.
Crop monitoring
Precision agriculture's leading solution is to determine the most efficient solutions. Precision agriculture can also define as procuring accurate near-real-time information for crop farming utilizing cutting-edge computer techniques. Hence, crop management computers are essential for making the most of precision agriculture technology. These devices will install in the research area. They will oversee water levels, crop health, and other biochemical and physical characteristics that are relevant. You can use crop monitoring tools to monitor malfunctions, create hypothesis models and methods, and prevent possibly hazardous diseases.
In addition, laser land leveling is one of the crop management techniques. Laser leveling is a customer precision method used on agricultural fields to achieve excellent leveling with the preferred grade. Laser leveling accomplish by utilizing a laser transmitter unit that continuously emits a 360-degree spinning beam linear to the data source plane. The researcher examines Cambodia as one of Southeast Asia's most prominent agriculture production countries. According to the results of land leveling experimental investigations in irrigated agriculture fields in Cambodia, the average increase in crop yield was 24 percent or 530 kilograms per hectare.
Sensors and drones
Agricultural drones are an acceptable option that does not involve satellites. They are primarily used for land mapping these days. Still, most modern systems use infrared sensors and visual images to diagnose the condition as seen with visible light, just like satellites. Environmental sensors installed in fields, proficient in tracking natural climate data and information on soil water specifications, are another vital technique for precision agriculture that does not require any invasion. Apart from satellites and drones, which are highly effective for landholdings, the sensors can use in confined areas such as greenhouses. Sensors and drones can also create interactive maps that capture the field's health and clearly and quickly emphasize differences between individual crop areas.
Livestock monitoring system
By facilitating tracking and informed decision making, precision agriculture that uses the Internet of Things (IoT) allows farmers to improve crop production and boost cattle health. The farmer will always get factual information about whether or not his livestock, such as cows, pigs, and other livestock, are sick or hungry. The most common type of livestock monitoring technology is attached collar labels.
Netherland is one of the examples that already applied a livestock monitoring system. Taken from the Netherland Animal diseases journal, the government takes several points its actions. They are:
- Find out the causes of livestock diseases that do not regularly exist in the Netherlands.
- In emergencies of contagious pathogens for livestock, the government can act immediately.
- The government can quickly figure out new diseases.
Precision agriculture, as opposed to intensive agriculture, can enhance the surroundings and protect natural resources. Therefore, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) actively invites countries to adopt some precision agriculture methods, just mentioned before. Here are the advantages of precision agriculture for the environment and well-being:
- Ensure animal health while also allowing for friendly relations with natural wildlife.
- By recycling nutrients on the land, soil fertility will naturally be sustained.
- Improve the energy consumption of agricultural systems to manage more quickly and effectively, leading to a drop in hourly costs.
All in all, an agriculture business owner or farmer will be able to anticipate and respond to environmental changes, minimize risk when developing distribution strategies, and make intelligent choices.