How GIS is enabling the agricultural sector

GIS in agriculture is not a new phenomenon anymore. The agricultural sector is the mainstay of the rural
Indian economy around which socio-economic privileges and deprivations revolve, and any change in its
structure is likely to have a corresponding impact on the existing pattern of social equality. No strategy of
economic reform can succeed without sustained and broad-based agricultural development, which is
critical for raising living standards, alleviating poverty, assuring food security, generating a buoyant
market for expansion of industry and services and making a substantial contribution to the national
economic growth.

The future growth in agriculture must come from new technologies which are not only cost-effective but
also in conformity with natural climatic regime of the country; technologies relevant to rain-fed areas
specifically; continued genetic improvements for better seeds and yields; data improvements for better
research, better results, and sustainable planning; bridging the gap between knowledge and practice;
and judicious land use resource surveys, efficient management practices and sustainable use of natural
resources.

Sustainable agricultural production depends on the judicious use of natural resources (soil, water,
livestock, plant genetic, fisheries, forest, climate, rainfall, and topography) in an acceptable technology
management under the prevailing socio-economic infrastructure. Technology plays an important role in
the rapid economic growth and social transformation in developing countries.

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Agricultural mapping

Technological innovations and geospatial technology help in creating a dynamic and competitive
agriculture which is protective of the environment and capable of providing excellent nutrition to the
people. While natural inputs in farming cannot be controlled, they can be better understood and
managed with GIS applications. GIS can substantially help in effective crop yield estimates, soil
amendment analyses and erosion identification and remediation. More accurate and reliable crop
estimates help reduce uncertainty.
A central issue in agricultural development is the necessity to increase productivity, employment, and
income of poor segments of the agricultural population, and by applying GIS in agriculture, this situation
can be addressed. GIS tools and online web resources are helping farmers to conduct crop forecasting
and manage their agriculture production by utilizing multispectral imagery collected by satellites. The
ability of GIS to analyze and visualize agricultural environments and workflows has proven to be very
beneficial to those involved in the farming industry. GIS has the capability to analyze soil data and
determine which crops should be planted where and how to maintain soil nutrition so that the plants are
best benefitted.

GIS in agriculture helps farmers to achieve increased production and reduced costs by enabling better
management of land resources. The risk of marginalization and vulnerability of small and marginal
farmers, who constitute about 85% of farmers globally, also gets reduced.

Agricultural Geographic Information Systems using Geomatics Technology enable the farmers to map
and project current and future fluctuations in precipitation, temperature, crop output etc.

Agricultural mapping is day by day becoming crucial for monitoring and management of soil and
irrigation of farmlands. It is facilitating agricultural development and rural development. Accurate
mapping of geographic and geologic features of farmlands is enabling scientists and farmers to create
more effective and efficient farming techniques. As farmers are able to take more corrective actions in
the form of better utilization of fertilizers, treating pest and weed infestations, protecting the natural
resources etc., we are bestowed with more and higher quality food production.

Also Read:

History of scientific farming in India

Smart farming

Sensors in fields, on tractors and on satellites high above farms are constantly collecting data. Advanced
technologies are able to turn this data into information that farmers and land managers can use to make
more informed and timely decisions. This, in turn, boosts productivity and reduces environmental
impacts.
Farming is getting smarter with the availability of advanced technologies like precision equipment, the
Internet of Things (IoT), sensors and actuators, geo-positioning systems, Big Data, Unmanned Aerial
Vehicles, robotics etc.

A concept in agriculture that is gaining wide popularity due to the plethora of benefits it offers is that of
precision agriculture. It enables farmers to collect timely geospatial information on soil-plant
requirements and prescribe and apply site-specific treatments to increase agricultural production and
protect the environment. Precision agriculture is tied up with high technology tools that are more
accurate, cost-effective and user-friendly. Global Market Insights has launched a market report recently,
according to which by 2024, the world’s precision farming market size will reach $10 billion by 2024.

As the agricultural sector opens its arms to embrace new technologies, in times to come, we hope to see
every platter to be filled with more nutritious food.

Shimonti Paul

Former Deputy Executive Editor, Geospatial Media and Communications. When asked, when are you at
your creative best? I could cheerily say, “Hey! Who needs an ambiance? I just need a thought!”

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Shimonti Paul

TAGS:

AgriculturegeospatialGIS & MappingPrecision agriculture

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