Precision Agriculture for Sustainable Crop Production: A Transformative Technological Approach
Ankita Kumari
School of Agriculture, Galgotias University, Greater Noida, U.P., India.
Uzma Manzoor
School of Agriculture, Galgotias University, Greater Noida, U.P., India.
Sahadeva Singh
School of Agriculture, Galgotias University, Greater Noida, U.P., India.
Mahendra Anjna
Development Block Ujjain, (M.P), India.
Ravi Kumar
School of Agriculture, Galgotias University, Greater Noida, U.P., India.
Shikha Arya
Department of Horticulture, JNKVV, Jabalpur (M.P), India.
Shubham Ahirwar
Department of Horticulture, JNKVV, Jabalpur (M.P), India.
Shani Gulaiya *
School of Agriculture, Galgotias University, Greater Noida, U.P., India.
S K Goyal
Department of Agriculture Engineering, Institute of Agriculture Sciences, BHU, Varanasi, (U.P), India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Precision agriculture technologies (PATs) are reshaping modern crop production by promoting efficient and sustainable farming practices. Core components of precision agriculture include remote sensing, GPS-enabled machinery, variable rate technology (VRT), and Internet of Things (IoT)-based systems. Remote sensing tools and unmanned aerial vehicles provide high-resolution data that support accurate assessment of crop health, soil variability, and pest incidence. GPS-guided equipment improves the precision of field operations such as sowing, fertilizer application, and harvesting, leading to reduced input losses and higher operational efficiency. VRT allows site-specific application of water, fertilizers, and pesticides according to crop demand and real-time field conditions, thereby minimizing excessive input use, nutrient runoff, and greenhouse gas emissions. The adoption of precision agriculture significantly enhances environmental sustainability by conserving water, lowering chemical inputs, and improving soil health. By reducing the ecological footprint of farming while increasing yields and profitability, PATs offer a viable solution for meeting the growing global food demand and ensuring long-term agricultural and environmental sustainability. Precision agriculture integrates advanced technologies to enhance farm productivity, efficiency, and sustainability. Precision farming, defined by the strategic application of data analytics and advanced technologies, has emerged as a transformative approach for achieving sustainable agriculture. precision agriculture provides an effective pathway for building sustainable and resilient agricultural systems by improving resource-use efficiency, while simultaneously supporting food security and environmental sustainability.
Keywords: Precision agriculture, data-driven farming, remote sensing and GIS, Variable Rate Technology (VRT), Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence and sustainable crop production