Our plan is to use precision agriculture techniques by dividing up the land into 10-acre grids for sampling. This is implemented by using analytical software and technical equipment. Rigorous data collection will be done on soil testing, plot measurement, weather pattern analysis, crop analysis, and water management through sensor-equipped devices placed in the fields.
There are many suppliers of high-tech products on the market. They not only have the software needed but the hardware to match. This will enable our operation to focus on trouble areas before they become a problem.
SENSORS, INSTRUMENTS, AND SOFTWARE
- Trimble
- Cropin
- Atlas
- Renke
- Mouser Electronics
- Edinburgh Sensors
As the planet’s population grows farmers will have to be ready. We will need faster better ways to grow the most nutritious foods possible. The only way to do that is by using technology to maintain and monitor every aspect of the farm’s operation.
BENEFITS
- focused cultivation
- choice of crops
- lower risk factors
- reduced production costs
- optimized fertilizer usage
- waste management
- minimal environmental impact
- water management
Precision agriculture is growing to meet the increasing worldwide demand for food using technologies that make it simpler and cheaper to collect and apply data, adapt to changing environmental conditions, and use resources most efficiently. Although large farms have been the first to adopt these technologies, smaller farms are now able to benefit as well, using tools built into smartphones, relevant applications, and smaller-sized machinery. What’s more, these technologies are contributing to solutions that extend beyond farms, including pollution, global warming, and conservation.
TECHNOLOGIES AVAILABLE
- GPS/GNSS
- MOBILE DEVICES
- REMOTE IRRIGATION CONTROLS
- INTERNET OF THINGS/CLOUD
- SENSORS
- VRA SEEDING
- WEATHER MODELING
- NITROGEN MODELING
- STANDARDIZED TECHNOLOGY
REMOTE SENSORS
The use of electronics tied to computer software remotely is important not only for higher production rates but can also reduce the need for human monitoring thereby lowering production costs. There are many types of sensors available to monitor all aspects of the farm operation.
- Electromagnetic Sensors
- Optoelectronic Sensors
- Electrochemical Sensors
- Mechanical Sensors
- Airflow sensors
- Soil pH sensors
- Ammonium sensors
- Potassium sensor
- Soil-water sensor
| Sensors | Functional description |
|---|---|
| Location Sensors | These sensors determine the latitude, longitude, and altitude of any position within the required area. They take the help of GPS satellites for this purpose. |
| Optical Sensors | These sensors use light in order to measure the properties of the soil. They are installed on satellites, drones, or robots to determine clay, organic matter, and moisture contents of the soil. |
| Electro-Chemical Sensors | These sensors help in gathering chemical data of the soils by detecting specific ions in the soil. They provide information in the form of pH and soil nutrient levels. |
| Mechanical Sensors | These sensors are used to measure soil compaction or mechanical resistance. |
| Dielectric Soil Moisture Sensors | These sensors measure moisture levels by measuring the dielectric constant of the soil. |
| Air Flow Sensors | These sensors are used to measure air permeability. They are used in fixed positions or in mobile mode. |
Newer and cheaper technology is already in the works.