Precision farming: As they sow, so do these farmers reap

Between 2004 and 2007, the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University undertook a pilot project in Tamil Nadu’s Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts with about 400 farmers. Both districts suffered from water scarcity and farmers in the region followed traditional agricultural practices.

The university helped the farmers adopt “precision farming”. Within a short period, the farmers were enjoying yields that were three to 12 times higher than normal.

They were also conserving water and spending less money on labour.

Scientific approach

Precision farming typically relies on technology to get the optimum performance out of agricultural resources.

Specifically, this farming method, which was developed in the US in the 1980s, involves the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning System and Remote Sensing Technology.

In India, precision farming is not as advanced as in the West owing to the high cost of technology and the high level of fragmentation of farm holdings. However, by adhering to the basic principles of precision farming, farmers in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, among others, have more than doubled their yields.

This method of farming involves studying the soil to ascertain its quality. Doing this helps determine which crop to grow, how much fertiliser the land needs, how many seedlings to plant in a plot, and how far apart to plant them.

Seedlings are grown in a nursery and then planted. This ensures higher productivity of the seeds.

Fertigation Advantage

Fertiliser (water soluble) is delivered directly to the roots along with water through drip irrigation. This “fertigation” ensures that the soil is not be affected by direct application of fertilisers and that there is no residue. A fertigation schedule is drawn up, depending on the crop, soil type and weather conditions.

“Every input is targeted at the root and it aids us in reaping the maximum yield,” says C. Bhoopathy, Secretary of the Dharmapuri Precision Farmers Agro Services Ltd. His co-operative was part of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University’s project.

By using drip irrigation, water consumption is minimised. Indeed, precision farming is particularly suitable for areas with less water.

The plants are monitored constantly, particularly for pests and insects. Pesticides and insecticides are used based on the actual need.

Better Resource Use

This precision has helped farmers maximise the output from their fields while lowering resource consumption as well as input and labour costs.

This is very different from the traditional way of cultivating crops in India, which is imprecise and involves sowing a large number of seeds. Most farmers depend on rainfall. Those who have irrigation facilities flood their fields. Fertilisers are also used without regard for the actual requirement. Over time, this has a detrimental effect on the soil.

Wide application

Precision farming is suitable for cultivation of a number of crops. “We grow almost every crop, including vegetables, tapioca, sugarcane and groundnut,” says Bhoopathy.

It can also be used for cultivation of fruits and vegetables such as banana, papaya, tomato, brinjal, turmeric, onion, potato, carrot and cabbage.

However, the initial costs are higher. Farmers will have to purchase fertiliser tanks, pumps, pipes for drip irrigation, and so on. But the returns more than make up for this cost.

“Precision farming is helping us save over 60 per cent of costs on fertilisers, weedicides and electricity. It also conserves a good amount of water,” says Rama Reddy, who has reaped handsome gains growing Dutch roses.

Higher Yields

Output has increased tremendously. The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University’s report cites how the chilli crop on one farm increased from 22 tonnes per hectare to 35 tonnes.

Another farmer harvested 170 tonnes of produce against 60 tonnes earlier.

Elsewhere, a farmer harvested 44,000 cauliflowers from his land against 32,000 earlier.

In general, the university’s project recorded higher yields. Over one hectare, Bt cotton increased from 2 tonnes to 3 tonnes; sunflower rose from 2,100 kg to 3,000 kg; maize from 6.2 tonnes to 14 tonnes; watermelon from 40 tonnes to 60 tonnes and carrot from 12 tonnes to 22 tonnes.

The farmers from Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri are now supplying vegetables to Bangalore and Chennai. “We also send musk melon to Kerala, thanks to TNAU’s marketing initiative,” says Bhoopathy.

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