How can GIS be used to change the future of Agriculture?

A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a tool used to collect, store, distribute, analyse, and display information about a given geographic area. Agriculture has found this system to be useful in a variety of ways. Users have been able to build interactive questionnaires, analyse three-dimensional data, edit data in maps, and exhibit the results of the operations thanks to the tools offered by the system. Farmers can benefit from the application of GIS as it helps them maximise productivity while reducing unnecessary expenses that could have been incurred during operations. This translates into improved management for farmers.

How GIS work in agriculture?

1. Agricultural mapping:

Agriculture can greatly benefit from the use of GIS due to its usefulness in determining current and future changes to precipitation, crop yield, and soil temperature. Farmers and scientists can work together toward the same aim of developing more diverse,effective, and efficient agricultural approaches by mapping the current features of a farm. A country’s food output is also increased by this and can remove food shortages in some places.

2. Soil analysis:

GIS is also critical in soil analysis for agricultural purposes, as they aid in determining the type of soil, which plants may thrive in it, and how best to preserve and keep nutrients in the soil.

3. Data combination:

With the use of GIS and several USDA divisions, a vast amount of data has been combined into one data collection. The US, for example, uses GIS to deal with crop problems, protect the crops, and provide remedies against the people who claim crop damage falsely. . As a result, farmers have been able to keep track of their harvests throughout the year.

4. Interaction with farmers:

Farmers in the US have benefited greatly from the applications of GIS in agriculture. This does not necessitate that they have access to a GIS. The ability to interact with the data and ask questions as well as provide solid on-ground data not possible through satellites is also a benefit. About 90% of the growth is due to this method of data collection.

5. Nutrient determination:

Farmers must first determine the number of nutrients in their fields before deciding to add fertilisers to the soil. Farmers can use a GIS to examine the varying levels of nutrients in a field in order to meet a given nutritional need. With the help of this, a comprehensive interpretation of many outputs and inputs can be achieved via combining computer software for modelling analysis as well as site analysis

6. Assemble information:

In order to create a map that illustrates some of the characteristics that influence crop yield, a GIS gathers many types of data, such as elevation, nutrients, terrain, as well a soil moisture. On top of all that, the predicted yield informs decisions about what resources will be employed where, when, and how.

7. Store and create land inventory maps using geospatial data:

The information provided by GIS indicated whether the property in question could sustain tourism, wildlife, forestry as well as agriculture, among other uses. Agriculture relies on land that can grow crops, which is crucial for both local and worldwide food production.

8. Precision farming:

Tractor, satellite, and field sensors are critical to the data collection process. Talking about the foremost role of GIS in agriculture, the use of GIS in agriculture makes it possible for landowners and farmers to make sense of the data they’ve acquired. Making well-informed choices is made easier with this information at hand.

9. Real-time mapping:

Drones, as well as satellites, have risen in popularity and scale dramatically in the last few decades. Furthermore, agriculture in India has had to deal with a number of difficulties, the most significant of which has been the management and availability of agricultural water. It is possible to monitor the state of the land using satellite technology, which collects real-time data from the Earth’s surface. As an additional benefit of drone technology, it has made it possible to collect data such as plant height, disease prevalence, flower count and weed presence in the nearby field.

10. Raising alertness:

Awareness about the crops as well as their availability is critical in farming, which is an agricultural industry in need of it. Agriculture can benefit greatly from the use of GIS since they successfully raise awareness of food shortages. Assistance can be provided once the impacted region has been located. The root causes of insecurity for food are discovered using GIS data, and these groups or areas are safeguarded. Farmers can now visualise, analyse, and comprehend the volume of geospatial data that is stored on a regular basis, thanks to GIS. Using the information provided by the GIS systems for crop production, farmers are able to see which crops are flourishing, how much fertiliser is being used, and how much natural catastrophes and pollutants are affecting production.

11. Historical data comparison:

Increased human populations have resulted in a dramatic reduction in food supplies around the world. This is a major worry in todays governing agencies because securing the essential food sources to maintain the ever-increasing population has proven impossible. Crop production has to double by the year 2050 in order to meet the worlds growing demand for protein. A GIS can be utilised for real-time analysis and historical comparisons.

12. Agriculture environments can be visualised and analysed:

The only way a farm can be successful and lucrative is if the inputs and outputs are equal. Geospatial information systems are useful in the agriculture sector because they are able to visualise agricultural landscapes and their flow of activity. Farming businesses have found this to be a boon in terms of productivity.

13. Increase production:

In addition, GIS is used in agriculture to boost the output of farmers. Farmers can also cut costs and better manage their property as a result of these developments. The farm managers office has production statistics that can be used for this purpose.