₹6,000-Crore Scheme to Enhance Precision Farming

Why It’s News:

The Central Government is set to allocate ₹6,000 crore to advance precision farming. As part of this initiative, the Union Ministry of Agriculture will introduce a Smart Precision Horticulture Programme under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) scheme.

What’s in today’s article?

• Precision farming
• Precision Farming Technologies
• Benefits and Challenges
• Precision farming (PF) in India
• Proposal to launch a scheme to boost precision farming

Precision farming

About

• Precision farming, or precision agriculture, is a contemporary agricultural practice that utilizes advanced technologies such as GPS, sensors, data analytics, drones, and remote sensing to monitor and manage crop production with a high degree of accuracy.
  • Precision agriculture (PA) is a contemporary farming method that leverages advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), drones, and data analytics. It incorporates tools like mapping systems, GPS, satellite imagery, sensors, and remote sensing technologies.
  • The primary goal is to develop a decision-support system for comprehensive farm management, aimed at optimizing resource utilization, enhancing crop yields, and conserving natural resources.
  • The objective is to optimize inputs such as water, fertilizers, and pesticides according to site-specific conditions, in order to maximize crop yields, minimize waste, and reduce environmental impact.

Precision Farming Technologies:

• Global Positioning System (GPS): GPS utilizes satellites to assist farmers in creating precise field maps.
• Grid Sampling: A method for collecting soil samples at regular intervals to assess properties like pH levels, nutrients, and moisture, helping farmers understand variations across the field.
• Variable-Rate Technology (VRT): This technique applies inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and water at varying rates, preventing over- or under-application and optimizing field management.
• Overview of the Smart Precision Horticulture Program:
• The Smart Precision Horticulture Program focuses on leveraging advanced technologies and data-driven approaches to optimize horticultural practices. It aims to enhance productivity, improve crop quality, and efficiently manage resources such as water, nutrients, and energy by utilizing tools like sensors, automation, and data analytics for precise cultivation.
• It is an initiative launched by the Union Ministry of Agriculture.
• The program will span 15,000 acres of land from 2024-25 to 2028-29, with the goal of benefiting approximately 60,000 farmers.

Benefits:

• Increased Productivity: By tracking field variability, farmers can customize inputs to address the specific needs of their crops, resulting in enhanced yields and efficiency.
• Resource Optimization: Precision farming promotes the efficient use of water, fertilizers, and pesticides, minimizing waste and cutting production costs.
• Environmental Benefits: Decreasing chemical use helps prevent soil and water contamination, fostering sustainable agricultural practices.
• Risk Management: Real-time data collection and analysis enable farmers to make well-informed decisions, mitigating risks associated with unpredictable weather and crop diseases.

Challenges:

• High Initial Cost: Adopting precision farming technologies involves substantial investment in tools and infrastructure, which can be a significant hurdle for small-scale farmers.
• Technical Expertise: Farmers must be trained to operate precision tools, analyze data, and apply the insights to their farming practices.
• Digital Divide: Limited access to reliable internet, particularly in rural areas, hampers the adoption of precision farming in many regions.
• Data Management: Handling and interpreting large volumes of data necessitates specialized software and skills, which may not be readily available to smaller farmers.

Precision Farming (PF) in India:

• Context:
  • Precision agriculture is a modern farming approach that focuses on optimizing the use of resources like soil, water, and nutrients for efficient farming.
  • In India, precision farming has primarily been developed for improving nutrient-use efficiency (NUE) and water-use efficiency (WUE).
  • However, PF has yet to be fully integrated into mainstream farming practices across the country.

Steps Taken:

• The National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) focus on improving water-use efficiency and monitoring soil health.
• The government has promoted the use of drones, soil health cards, and satellite-based monitoring systems.
• A Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for agriculture has been introduced to provide farmers with access to technology and information.
• Precision farming technology is being developed and spread through 22 Precision Farming Development Centres across the country.
• The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), established during the COVID-19 pandemic, includes provisions for financing infrastructure projects related to smart and precision agriculture.
• Additionally, funds are allocated to states and Union Territories for projects that incorporate AI and machine learning, under initiatives like the National e-Governance Plan in Agriculture.

Area Under Precision Farming:

• Precision farming in India is still in its early stages, covering a relatively small area, primarily in states such as Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh.
• The technology is predominantly utilized in large commercial farms and areas with advanced irrigation systems.

Challenges in India:

• Fragmented Land Holdings: The small size of farms in India poses a challenge for the large-scale implementation of precision farming technologies.
• Cost and Awareness: Many small farmers lack both the awareness and the financial resources to invest in advanced technological solutions.
• Infrastructure Gaps: Inadequate digital infrastructure in rural areas restricts the accessibility and effectiveness of precision farming tools.
• High Costs: The expense of tools such as GPS and drones can be prohibitive for many farmers.
• Lack of Standardization: The absence of uniform guidelines for data collection complicates the effective implementation of precision farming.
• Connectivity Issues: Reliable internet is essential for real-time data sharing, but rural areas often suffer from weak connectivity.
• Environmental Concerns: Improper use of technology can negatively impact the environment, potentially causing problems like soil degradation and water shortages.

Proposal to Launch a Scheme to Enhance Precision Farming:

• Scheme Overview:
  • The Indian government is set to allocate ₹6,000 crore to promote precision farming.
  • This initiative will employ advanced technologies such as IoT, AI, drones, and data analytics to boost productivity, optimize resource use, and minimize environmental impact.
  • The Union Ministry of Agriculture is developing a Smart Precision Horticulture Programme under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH).
• Coverage:
  • The scheme will encompass 15,000 acres over a five-year period, from 2024-25 to 2028-29, and aims to benefit approximately 60,000 farmers.

The Role of the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) in Advancing Precision Farming:                             

• The AIF currently supports financing for infrastructure projects related to smart and precision agriculture.
• Under the AIF, loans with a 3% interest subsidy are available to individual farmers and farming communities, including Farmer Producer Organizations, Primary Agricultural Credit Societies, and Self-Help Groups, for adopting technological solutions in their farming practices.
• These technologies encompass:
  • Farm and harvest automation
  • Purchase of drones and installation of specialized sensors in fields
  • Use of blockchain and AI in agriculture
  • Remote sensing and Internet of Things (IoT)

International Partnerships to Advance Precision Farming in India:

The Indian government is partnering with countries such as the Netherlands and Israel to advance farming solutions, with plans to establish 100 Centres of Excellence (CoEs) over the next five years.

• Currently, 32 Indo-Israel CoEs have been established across 14 states.

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