Precision farming, also known as smart farming or precision agriculture, is the use of data-driven approaches with advanced technology such as drones, sensors, satellite photographs, and real-time information in order to monitor and optimize the various activities associated with farming. Precision agriculture employs information technology, assuring that the soil and the crop receive just enough for good health and high yield ensuring the preservation of the environment, sustainable production, and profitability.
The drones with their several sensors can measure almost anything from parameters such as fertility and nutrients, soil types, and erosion levels to weather factors. This information, which is traditionally assumed and approximated, is important for several decisions such as crop selection and management techniques. Consequently, these drones can then also be used to track and monitor existing crops, ensuring continuous monitoring of the process from sowing to harvesting. It also has an added advantage as it provides precise details that enable farmers to make prompt and accurate decisions on factors such as irrigation, fertilization, and pesticides
Precision Farming could possibly reduce the costs of labour tremendously, by raising productivity across several manual processes. As such, the demand for physical labour is greatly reduced, enabling the resources to be redirected towards more difficult tasks at a lower cost. This strategy also ensures increased productivity and reduces resource wastage, thus mitigating the environmental impact of farming. In addition, such practices increase crop efficiency per unit cost of production which is a considerably important advantage, because initially, precision agricultural technology appeared as a steep investment. Long-term savings, however, are substantially greater than with conventional farming techniques. Furthermore, the use of precision farming technologies is crucial since they enhance long-term agricultural operations.
Agricultural robotics integration into current agricultural systems, however, takes careful design and training. For farmers and farmworkers to completely benefit from the technology, they must receive operating training. Programmes for education and training are crucial in assisting farmers in adjusting to this revolutionary technology. Moreover, owing to the large volume of data generated, assisting farmers acclimatize to this data, and perform data analysis independently is necessary for the smooth adoption of precision agriculture.
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