Precision Agriculture: A Promising Technology for Wise Use of Agricultural Resources

Qamar Zaman, PhD

International Seminar on “Water Issues and Options”University of Agriculture, Faisalabad

Challenge: How to Feed the WorldPopulation (1950 – 2050)p ( )

Potential for Cropland Expansion

Agriculture Land Utilization In Pakistan

An increasing number of countries are reaching alarming levels of water scarcity1.4 billion people live in areas with sinking groundwater levels.

Precision Agriculture (PA)Precision Agriculture (PA)

PA techniques involve doing more with less and reducing harmful applications to the soil or crop.

For farmers that means minimizing the use of waterFor farmers, that means minimizing the use of water, fuel, fertilizers, pesticides and maximizing farm profitability.

Objectives of Precision AgricultureObjectives of Precision Agriculture

Site specific application of inputs required to growSite-specific application of inputs required to grow crops = IMPROVE CROP PRODUCTIVITY

Increase the efficiency of agriculture resources utilization by crops = LOWER ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTIMPACT

Automate and log farm operations = DATA g pANALYSIS, EFFICIENCY & CONVENIENCE

No citrus in future if greening disease continues in country: Experts

UAF Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan said citrus fruit was being cultivated in more than 100 countries of the world and it was 2nd highest horticultural crop after grapeswas 2nd highest horticultural crop after grapes.

Pakistan, the sixth largest citrus producing country, will be producing “no citrus” and the commodity can become a fancy tale of past after a couple of decades if greening disease continues killing the trees at massive scale.

He said that citrus greening disease (CGD) was one of the mostHe said that citrus greening disease (CGD) was one of the most hazardous viral diseases of citrus in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

What is an “Advanced Citrus Production System” (ACPS)?What is an “Advanced Citrus Production System” (ACPS)?

ACPS is advanced fertigation (Irrigation and Liquid Fertilization)

Main goals: Increased water and nutrient use efficiencies, reduced environmental impacts.

Other goals are early, high production, early return on investment, disease avoidance?. Built-in redundancy

t f i l d kcompensates for greening removal and canker infection.

S i h i d f i i i Synonymous with computerized fertigation, using pulsed drip emitters, frequent monitoring and remote control

Computer control system for intensive fertigation

Flow meters and pumps for liquid fertilizer injection. Fertilizer tanks with nutrient mixtures

Weather data loggers station:solar radiometer, raingauge,temp., humidity sensors

High gain antenna for data communications network. Soil water, rainfall, air temperature,

and humidity data logger station

16 December 2008 (0 weeks)

Progress and Selected ResultsProgress and Selected Results16 December 2008 (0 weeks)

Immature ‘Hamlin’ with ACPS – August 2010 (age 19 months)

Conventional Drip fertigation

Microsprinkler fertigation

Early fruit production early ripening high quality after 24 monthsEarly fruit production, early ripening, high quality after 24 months

Conventional methods Advanced drip fertigation methods

Gapway grove ACPS 8x15 feet = 363 trees/acre(36 months)

Gapway grove drip ACPS high density: 897 trees/haApprox 30 Mg/ha yield at 36 months

48-inch width tractorfor high density plantings

Greening infectionGreening infection1st infection found at 20 months

(0 1% i 2)(0.1% in year 2)

(8.5% in September, year 3)

View SW from last row on W side: 10/01/11

Row of highest greening incidence

Situation analysis: 10/01/11

ACPS i t

Zone of highest incidence

ACPS experiment95 feet from yard trees

View NNW from SW corner: 10/01/11

infected yard trees

Successful fertigation strategy for immature trees

• Fertigate to keep the top 0-15 cm of soil at about field capacityMonitor moisture at 45 cm depth to avoid excess. Use sensors.

• Fertigate in the morning after sunrise when photosynthesis and transpiration are at their peak;

DRIP ONLY:• During long dry periods in the first year, flush salts from the root zone

with plain irrigation (3 to 4 x normal irrigation amount) every 2 weeks

Conclusions after 2.5 yearsConclusions after 2.5 years

Reduced fertilizer + water Liquid fertilizer is 5 times efficient than granular fetilizer Saved two year cost of production Early yields and quality are above average, reliable Higher production may be possible – pest control,

nutrients PGRs super high densities (800 trees/acre)nutrients, PGRs, super high densities (800 trees/acre)

Conclusions after 2.5 yearsConclusions after 2.5 years

H l t t l i Help to control greening The ACPS is productive and versatile High efficiencies suggest ACPS economically viable High efficiencies suggest ACPS economically viable

- full economic analysis possible after third year

Future possibilities…Future possibilities…

Central irrigation control

e.g. ACPS in California

40 acres in containerized hydroponics

& fertilizer injection

2,000 trees /acre; 3.0 x 7.5 feet Fresh fruit – mandarin varieties Under shade cloth

450 trees /acre

Future trends Future trends –– fresh fruit under coverfresh fruit under cover 2 000 trees /acre; 3 0 x 7 5 feet 2,000 trees /acre; 3.0 x 7.5 feet 1,680 boxes /acre at 4 years First crop in 14 months First crop in 14 months

Future trends…Future trends… Traditional containerized hydroponics

Future trends…Future trends…

Future trends…Future trends… Requires a very high level of management and

computerizationcomputerization Initial capital investment is high Well adapted for automation with robotics Well adapted for automation with robotics Very profitable

Thank You!