Precision farming is an innovative method in agriculture using the latest technologies to improve crop quality. Precision farming technologies involve the use of accurate remote sensing data, such as images or videos from drones or satellites. Such images allow you to effectively monitor the condition of soils and crops, to make decisions based on accurate data. Plus, the rational use of resources helps to preserve the environment.
This farming method is gaining more and more attention from farmers as it helps to reduce costs and improve the environment. This allows farmers to use seeds, fertilizers and pesticides more efficiently, and to produce higher yields.
What kind of Technologies the Precision Farming are used?
Precision farming allows for remote control and management of fields using sensors in the fields themselves, as well as drones and satellites for observation from the sky. All of these tools are suitable for their specific purposes, so choosing them is not easy.
Satellite images initially appear to be the most profitable option for remote sensing. And here’s why: as the phrase suggests, online software allows you to collect, process and analyze data online. Thanks to satellites it is possible to obtain images that extract characteristics of crops that are not visible to the human eye, for example, in infrared. With this data, we can learn that plant water stress is perceived by the strong smell of the crop. As a result, we can use this data to understand and make decisions that help minimize costs and optimize results.
The use of IT products for precision farming allows you to save complete information in one place, obtain historical data and their comparative analysis, compile reports and share any necessary information with all participants in the field management process (farmers, agronomists, agrarians working in the fields, insurance companies, traders, etc.).
The global market for precision farming shows growth
This high growth is mainly due to the growing use of GPS and GIS systems for monitoring agricultural parameters. These field mapping systems help collect data in real time and allow you to analyze a huge set of geospatial data.
Wider adoption of variable rate application, remote monitoring and precise positioning technologies is driving the growth of the precision farming market. According to research from MarketsandMarkets, the precision farming market is expected to grow $12.8 billion in 2025.
Demand for agricultural products will continue to grow. According to the researchers, the main factors contributing to the development of agriculture and, in particular, the market for precision farming are:
- high demand for agricultural products due to population growth;
- increased adoption of variable rate application, remote monitoring and precise positioning technologies by farmers around the world;
- strong government encouragement for the use of precision farming methods.
In addition, government initiatives in many countries (Great Britain, USA, India, etc.) allow farmers to introduce more and more technical means to increase production levels. Increasing global warming is also cited as one of the factors pushing farmers to adopt advanced farming technologies.
Precise control
The European Union emphasizes the importance of developing precision farming. The study, commissioned by the European Parliament, concludes: “Given the needs of society and the environment, the main challenge facing EU agricultural enterprises is the combination of high productivity and the protection of natural resources. Precision farming is an information-based approach to decision-making in the management of agricultural enterprises to accurately control each stage of the agricultural process.”
The Latitudo 40’s approach
With Latitudo 40, you can save your entire dataset in one place and get detailed and comprehensive analysis of weather conditions, plant growth stages, optimal amount and time to sow or fertilize, GIS field zoning, and more. The intelligent software will notify you of the weather, crop status and crop development anomalies in advance to prevent losses.
Latitudo 40 has integrated the main satellite operators’ catalogues and also some from the most promising start-ups in the Earth observation landscape. With relevant information and expert advice on precision farming, you can get the most out of your farm, reduce seeds and fertilizers, and do your part to save the environment. We search and collect petabytes of images from a large number of sensors and constellations, in order to offer the highest level and quality of services to our customers.