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PRECISION FARMING
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- Precision Farming or Precision
Agriculture is a concept of using the new technologies and
collected field information, doing the right thing, in the right place,
at the right time. Collected information may be used to more precisely
evaluate optimum sowing density, estimate fertilizers and other inputs
needs, and to more accurately predict crop yields.
- It helps in avoiding unwanted practices to a crop, regardless of
local soil/climate conditions, i.e., it reduces labour, water, inputs
such as fertilizers, pesticides etc. and assures quality produce.
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Capsicum finds new commercial value in
Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh
TAMIL NADU
PRECISION FARMING PROJECT
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- Precision Farming Project was started in Tamil Nadu first in
Dharmapuri district during 2004-05. It was implemented initially in 250
acres in 2004-05, 500 acres in 2005-06 and 250 acres in 2006-07.
Government of Tamil Nadu had assigned this task to Tamil Nadu
Agricultural University.
- An amount of Rs. 75,000/- for installation of drip irrigation and
Rs. 40000/- for crop production purposes were given. The first crop has
be taken up under the total guidance of Scientists from the University.
Subsequent 5 crops had been taken up by the farmers in 3 years.
- In the first year, farmers were not ready to accept this project
initially because of their frustration in Agriculture due to continuous
drought in that area for 4 years since 2002. But after seeing the
success of the first 100 farmers and high market rate of the produce
from this scheme, farmers started registering in large numbers for the
second (90 per cent subsidy) and third year (80 per cent subsidy)
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Fertilizer application and soil management based on the Satellite
based Soil Maps. This technology helped in identifying the exact
nutrient status of the particular area soil.
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| Due to the usage of tractor for many years and flood irrigation
practices, the upper layer of the soil has become hard up to 45 cm. It
affects the proper drainage and aeration of soil. Chisel ploughing help
overcoming this problem. It is recommended yearly two times
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- Drip laterals are installed in a spacing of 1.5 x 0.6 m. It has
many advantages.
- Reduced water and fertilizer requirement per acre
- Less weed infestation due to the dryness of the top soil
- Reduced flower and fruit drop due to proper moisture maintenance
and soilaeration
- Less infestation of disease and pests due to the maintenance of
relativehumidity less than 60 per cent
- 40 per cent increased aeration helps increased root growth
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| Community nurseries were developed by the precision farmers with
the guidance of the university scientists to produce 100% healthy
vegetable seedlings.
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Precaution measures based on the climatic conditions and need based
application of pesticides and fungicides helped in reducing the one
third of expenses.
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For every 25 to 30 beneficial farmers jointly formed a registered
Precision Farmers Association. These societies involved in
various activities like,
- Negotiation of the inputs purchase with the agro traders
- Discussing the possibilities of contract farming of vegetables
- Visiting various markets and getting the market information
- Sharing their farming experience with fellow members
- Sharing their precision farming experience with farmers coming from
other districts.of Tamil Nadu
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- Scientists helped in marketing the produce at a higher price. Based
on the market demand crops are selected and cultivated in right
season
- With the help of TNAU experts, an exclusive logo has been developed
for the produce marketed from Precision Farming Areas.
- Because of the quality, all the produce from Precision Farming
areas are fetching premium price in all the markets
 
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 Precision Farming Technologies
For
more details visit the following link:
http://www.tnau.ac.in/horcbe/hitechfld.swf
or
Write to
Dr. E.
Vadivel,
Nodal Officer and Director of Extension
Education,
Tamil Nadu Precision Farming Project
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University,
Coimbatore – 641003, Tamil
Nadu.
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