While historically agriculture was based on hard labour, agtech has become a vital part of the industry. Whether you’re a farmer or agricultural retailer, you’re likely to be dependent on technology to improve efficiency and productivity.

What Is Precision Agriculture?

Precision agriculture (PA), also known as precision farming, satellite farming and site-specific crop management (SSCM), refers to incorporating information technology into agriculture to make it more controlled and accurate. This is used for both crop and livestock farming. Examples of technology used in precision agriculture include robotics, drones, GPS systems, automated hardware, GPS-based soil sampling, autonomous vehicles and variable rate technology.

Precision agronomics is also an important part of precision agriculture. It consists of combining technology and methodology to create more accurate farming techniques. When used correctly, these ensure efficiency and profitability while still keeping sustainability in mind. Actionable data gathered by the technology used gives farmers insight and helps them determine when and where to use resources like seeds, chemicals, fertilisers, etc., for maximum yield.

Technology Used in Precision Agriculture?

Precision agriculture as a whole has been in existence for several years. However, the impressive technology used today has made the field more popular, becoming increasingly mainstream over the past decade. Most farmers in the developed world use at least one precision agriculture practice. The following is some of the most well-known technology used in precision farming;

Remote Sensing Technology. Remote sensing technology has been used in agriculture for decades and is extremely helpful in managing and monitoring land and water. From estimating moisture levels in the soil to determining the factors that can be damaging a crop at any given moment, remote sensing technology uses drones, satellites and other sources to collect data and use it to help in decision-making.

GPS Soil Sampling. Soil sampling shows farmers a field’s pH level, available nutrients, moisture level and other data. Knowing this can help guide decisions such as crop choice, fertiliser and seed optimisation and much more. This data can be made more accurate by sampling specific locations. GPS soil sampling does this by using GPS to look for more accurate sampling locations. Unlike methods like W sampling, GPS soil sampling ensures soil analysis is available for every hectare of a field.

Computer-Based Applications. Computer-based applications are used to make precise plans for farms, field maps, yield maps and more. These allow farmers and precision agriculture specialists and technicians to use inputs like fertilisers, seeds and pesticides more effectively and precisely. In addition to producing higher yields, this helps reduce costs and makes agriculture more sustainable.

Variable Rate Technology (VRT). Variable Rate Technology (VRT) allows farmers and growers to control inputs applied in different locations. It can be manual, map-based or sensor-based an…