Context:

India’s yield from farming is low and the pressure on land is enormous. This needs to change with the help of precision farming.

Precision farming

• Precision farming (PF) is an approach where inputs are utilized in precise amounts to get increased average yields, compared to traditional cultivation techniques.
• Commercial, as well as horticultural crops, also show a wider scope for PF in cooperative farms.
• Farmers really need to take up precision farming due to the following reasons:
• To increase agriculture productivity
• Prevents soil degradation
• Reduction of chemical application in crop production
• Efficient use of water resources
• Dissemination of modern farm practices to improve quality, quantity, and reduced cost of production.
• Developing favorable attitudes
• Precision farming changing the socio-economic status of farmers.

Drawbacks of precision farming

• High cost
• Lack of technical expertise knowledge and technology
• Not applicable or difficult/costly for small landholdings
• Heterogeneity of cropping systems and market imperfections.