Precision farming involves managing spatial and temporal variability across all aspects of agricultural production using technologies and principles. It distinguishes from traditional farming by customizing management for small field areas rather than treating the whole field uniformly. The key aspects are taking care of each plant throughout the crop cycle using information-based and technology-enabled decision making. Precision farming can increase profits and sustainability while improving product quality and conserving natural resources like water, soil and energy. It includes components like micro irrigation, fertigation, plastic mulching, integrated pest management and protected cultivation.

1. PRECISION FARMING
Dr. Abdul Hakkim, V.M., FIE
Head, Department of LWRCE & Principal Investigator
Precision Farming Development Centre (PFDC)
KCAET, Tavanur.
E Mail : abdulhakkim19@gmail.com
Mobile : 9446279626

2. Precision Farming
Application of technologies and principles to
manage spatial and temporal variability
associated with all aspects of horticultural
production.
Also referred to as
Hi-tech Farming
Variable rate application farming
Site specific farming
Prescription farming etc.

3. Comparison with Traditional Agriculture
Precision farming distinguishes from
traditional agriculture by its level of
management .
Instead of managing the whole field as a
single unit, management is customized for
small areas within the fields (micro
management concept).
Manages every field operation at each
location in the field, if it is technically or
economically advantageous to manage at that
level.

4. KEYASPECTS
• Take care of each and every plant in a farmers field
throughout the crop cycle
• Technology enabled, Information based and decision
focussed

5. Precision Farming
(Modern Eco friendly Technology)
Precision Farming
(Modern Eco friendly Technology)
Reduce
stress on
natural
resources
Leads to total
quality
management

6. Precision Farming- outcomes
 Increased profit and sustainability
 Improved product quality
 Effective and efficient pest management
 Energy, water and soil conservation
 Surface and ground water protection

7. Precision Farming: Components
 Micro Irrigation
 Fertigation
 Plastic mulching
 Crop geometry
 Integrated Pest and Disease Management
 Protected Cultivation

8. Micro irrigation and Fertigation
Irrigation Management through
Precision Farming

9. Scope and Potential of Micro Irrigation in
Kerala
1. Suitability to crops
Orchards (grape vine, citrus, mango, guava etc.),
coconut, vegetable crops, row crops like sugarcane,
cotton etc. and flowers ( rose, jasmine etc.)
2. Savings in water
Saves upto 70 percentage of water used in
conventional methods.
3. Additional land area available for crop
Only 5 to 6 per cent of the irrigable area lost in
surface ditches.
4. High Irrigation efficiency
Irrigation Efficiency is more than 90 %
5. No Evaporative losses

10. Characteristics of Micro Irrigation Systems
Water is applied at a low rate
Water is applied over a long period of time
Water is applied at frequent intervals
Water is applied near or into the plant root zone
Water is applied through a low pressure delivery
system (1 to 2 kg/ cm2
)

11. Micro Irrigation Systems
1. Micro sprinklers
Operating pressure - 1 to 2 kg/cm2
Discharge - 36 to 140 l/hr
2. Spray Jets
Operating pressure - 1 to 2 kg/cm2
Discharge - 32 to 47 l/hr
3. Drip
Operating pressure - 1 to 2 kg/cm2
Discharge - 2 to 8 l/hr

12. Drip irrigation
 Drip irrigation is an efficient method of providing
irrigation water directly into the soil at the root
zone of plants and it permits to limit the watering
closely to the consumptive use of the plants.
 Drip irrigation minimizes such conventional
losses as deep percolation, runoff and soil
evaporation.

13. Advantages of drip irrigation
• Increased beneficial use of available water.
• Enhanced plant growth and yield.
• Retarded weed growth.
• Improved application of fertilizers.
• Decreased energy requirement.
• Reduced operational labour.
• Suitable for irrigating hilly terrain and
problem soils.

14. Characteristics of Drip Irrigation System

15. Schematic Diagram of Drip Irrigation

16. Components of Drip Irrigation System
1. Pump with energy source or overhead storage tank
2. Filters (Primary filters and secondary filters)
a) Hydro cyclone or centrifugal filters
b) Gravel filter ( Fine gravel or coarse sand, 1-2 mm Ø)
c) Screen filter ( 100- 200 mesh) / disc filters
3. Main line
40 to 110 mm HDPE or PVC pipes.
4. Sub mains
25 to 50mm HDPE or PVC pipes.
5. Laterals
12 mm or 16mm LDPE or LLDPE is most common.
6. Emitters
Discharge rates : 1 l/hr, 2 l/hr, 4 l/hr, 8 l/hr and 16 l/hr
7. Other control and monitoring equipment

17. SAND SEPERATOR--- HYDRO CYCLONE FILTER

18. SAND FILTER

19. SCREEN FILTERS

20. Cover
Filter Element
Disc Filter

21. On-line Lateral

22. In-line Lateral

23. Emitters
 Online emitters
Fixed by punching a hole on the lateral and fixing it

24. On line drippers

26. Inline emitters
Fixed by cutting the lateral line and fixing the emitters in
between

27. Fertigation
Simultaneous application of solubles (plant
nutrients) and water through an irrigation
system is called fertigation.
Efficient and precise application of inputs
and practice good environmental stewardship
Saves water, energy and nutrients.
With drip/pressurised irrigation, fertigation
is not optional, but absolutely necessary.

28. IRRIRR IGATIONIGATION
++FERTFERT ILIZATIONILIZATION
F E R T I G A T I O NF E R T I G A T I O N
NN
P KP K
==

29. FERTILIZATION v/s FERTIGATIONFERTILIZATION v/s FERTIGATION
Conventional fertilization
Plants get a larger dosage of
fertilizer than they require at the
time it is applied. Losses occur.
Fertigation
Fertilizers are applied according
the need for nutrients, following
the uptake rate of the crop.

30. Fertigation-Advantages
Uniform application of fertilizers
 Placement in root zone
Quick and convenient method
Saves fertilizer
Frequent application is possible
Possibility of application in different grades
to suit the stage of crop
Micronutrients application along with NPK
Save groundwater pollution

31. DRIP FERTIGATION TECHNOLOGY
Provides better root zone environment
Water
Air Air
K
K
K
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
K
Water

36. Fertigation through Ventury

37. Banana under Drip Fertigation

40. Drip Fertigation in papaya

43. Plastic Mulching
Prepare the raise bed Spread the lateral pipes
Spread mulching sheet on bed Cover both end of the sheet with soil

44. Make appropriate holes Spray necessary chemicals
over seedlings
Transplant seedlings

46. Reduce fertilizer leaching
Fewer weed problems

47. Excellent Growth of White
Roots under Mulch
Soil becomes less compact &
there is more aeration nearby the
roots
Better Weed Management Coloured mulch reduce Aphids
and White Flies attack

48. Photo selective mulch films
White / Black Mulch Films
The black color facing the soil, blocks visible light
transmission, preventing Weed germination under the
mulch. The White color facing up, reflects 65% of the PAR
radiation, pushing photosynthesis, reflecting 8% of the UV
radiation & cools the soil more than other colors

49. Low Quality & Non Guaranteed
Mulch Film can ruin your
Investments and Planning
Seal the Mulch immediately in
case of any Physical Damages, as
it might expose the top Root Zone

53. Mulching in poly house

54. Methods to install the Mulch in Existing Plantations

56. Benefits of Mulching
 Moisture Conservation, Save fertilizers.
 Eliminates Weed, soil’s fertility is fully devoted to crops.
 Integrated Pest Management by Sunlight reflection.
 Controls Soil Temperature.
 Conserves natural earth gases.
 Covered soil is loose & so root growth is uninterrupted & fast
thus improves plant’s Photosynthesis activity.
 Protects Soil wash out in case of excess rains or floods.
 Loose soil is not splashed on crops so they remain fresh for
longer.

62. Precision Farming
The future of Water
Conservation