Application GPS and GIS in agricultural field

Group 6

The widespread availability of the Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Global Information Systems (GIS) to the general public opened many doors to the uses of new technologies, particularly in the agricultural sector.

GPS and GIS are valuable tools that can be used to increase efficiency and productivity in agriculture.

mapping natural resources, marking weed infestations, evaluating insect damage, referencing crop yield, identifying crop stress, and labeling soil types.

agricultural businesses an additional management tool to deal with production issues, strategize management decisions, and implement control methods.

I n t r o d u c t i o n

• Precision Agriculture is the application of technology of GPS and GIS to conventional farming for improving agricultural practices. What is

Precision Agriculture?

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Flowchart of the precision farming process

The precision farming process can be viewed as

four steps:

Data logging

Data analysis

Spatial modeling

Point sampling

Data logging

However the paired yield measurements is

for a location well behind the harvester,

as it takes several seconds for material to pass from the point of

harvest to the yield monitor.

When positioning are different, the coordinates are

accurate to about a meter.

Accurate measurements

GPS positioning and material flow adjustments are major concerns.

Most systems seek the GPS and generate monitor

every second, which at 4 mph translates into 6

feet.

The mass flow and speed of the harvester are

constantly changing when different terrain

and crop conditions are encountered.

Point Sampling

The cost of soil lab analysis dictates “smart sampling” techniques based

on terrain and previous data be used to balance

spatial variability with a farmer’s

budget.

Surface modeling such as sampling frequency/ pattern and interpolation

technique are concerns.

technique for evaluating alternative

interpolation techniques and

selecting the “best” map using residual analysis are available in some of the soil

mapping systems.

Data Analysis

The traditional statistical techniques are concern. For example, regression analysis of field plots has been used for years to derive crop production functions, such as corn yield versus potassium level.

in GIS, you can use regression to derive a production function relating mapped variables, such as the links among a map of corn yield and maps of soil nutrients-like analyzing thousands of sample plots.

Spatial Modeling

moves the derived relationships in space or time to determine the "optimal" actions, such as the blend of phosphorous, potassium and nitrogen to be applied at each location in the field.

The issues surrounding spatial modeling are similar to data analysis and involve the validity of using traditional "goal seeking" techniques, such as linear programming or genetic modeling, to calculate maps of the optimal actions.

GPS Use in Agriculture:

Yield Monitoring Tracking Livestock

Soil Sampling

Tractor Guidance

Cropduster Targeting

GIS for Agriculture & Land Management

land management practices

data mapping

eSpatial OnDemand GIS to map and track

data

eSpatial OnDemand GIS

agricultural productivity

land manOptimise administration

proceduresagement practices

Why using Geographical Information Systems (GIS)?

For the purpose of this study, the following advantages of using a GIS proved to be most useful:

*Visualization of spatial data, particularly the distribution of agricultural open spaces in a city.

* Simple analytical functions such as calculation of the sizes of agricultural areas.

* Potential for updating digital maps in the future, and extension to a greater range of topics and layers.

* Possibility to print hardcopies of maps showing any desired selection of topics and areas in any scale, for discussions with stakeholders.

* Linkage of vector data in maps with attribute data such as type of crops grown or number of farmers.

* High flexibility: According to the respective local contexts and available data sources, a wide variety of spatial data can be integrated and combined for optimal outcome: Satellite imagery, aerial photography (digital or analogue), topographic or thematic maps of all scales, cadastral maps, GPS measurements etc

* Possibility for data overlay in order to investigate relations with various relevant factors, e.g. designated land use, irrigation water quality, socioeconomic variables etc.

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PS Benefits that

immediately come to mind are cost reduction,

increased yields and minimizing

environmental impact. Cost reduction is important to

producers because of its immediate impact along with increased

yields.

The GPS system provides precise measurement with

precise application. It reduces leaching and runoff into

ground and surface water due to unnecessary chemicals and

fertilizers.

The GPS can operate at night with lower

manpower costs, and increase machine

utilization.

An additional benefit for using the GPS for

precision agriculture is the ability to reduce soil

compaction by limiting traffic to same traffic

lanes.

Global Positioning System (GPS). GPS is widely available in the agricultural community and its potential is growing. Farm uses include mapping yields (GPS + combine yield monitor), variable rate planting(GPS + variablerate planter drive), variable rate lime and fertilizer application (GPS + variable-rate spreader drive), variable rate pesticide application (GPS + variable-rate applicator), field mapping for records and insurance purposes (GPS + mapping software) and parallel swathing (GPS + navigation tool). Terms associated with GPS are listed in the Glossary.

Geographic Information System (GIS) software empowers those working in agriculture and land management to gain a clear view of the environment, surroundings, and the factors that influence them.

C o n c l u s i o n

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