Precision Farming for increased productivity

Thodupuzha, 21-Jan-2010
Farmers should make use of the precision farming technology for increasing the productivity in the agricultural sector so that India can become self sufficient in Agricultural production, said Dr. E Vadivel, Project Officer, Precision Farming & e-Extension, Tamilnadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore. He was inaugurating the seminar on precision farming conducted as part of the Karshikamela in Thodupuzha. The state of Tamilnadu and TNAU been successful in implementing precision farming in the state and were able to convert 50,000 hectors of land in to this methodology. Here are the salient features of this technology as explained by him:

• Extensive soil testing to determine the nutrients and fertilizers and amount of water to be used.
• Irrigation and fertilizing is done by drip irrigation technique called fertigation.
• Usage of water is reduced by 60%.
• Fertilizer costs are reduced considerably due to no wastage.
• Labor is reduced since most of the work is mechanized.
• Uniform growth of the plants.
• Uniform size and weight of the produce so better marketability.
• Prolonged productive life of plants.
  
• Productivity of plants are increased by 100 to 200%, in some cases upto 10 folds.

In Tamilnadu, precision farming technique has been applied for the cultivation of around 30 varities of vegetables and flowers. TNAU will now be concentrating on the marketing of agricultural products he said. Farmers open markets will be opened throughout the state so that better price will be obtained for the produces.

In his presidential address, Sri P J Joseph, Hon. minister for Public Works said that Kerala must strive hard to become self sufficient in the agricultural sector. Adapting precision farming methods to Kerala conditions will be a major milestone in achieving that target he said.

In order to promote precision farming, Kerala will spend Rupees 20 lakhs per district, said Dr. K Prathapan, Director, State Horticulture Mission, Kerala. This amount will be distributed to farmers societies(minimum 25 members) at a rate of Rs 325 per square meter, he said.

Dr. I Muthuvel and Dr. N Sreeram from TNAU, took study classes on various aspects of precision farming. The welcome address was delivered by Prof. V A Joseph and Adve. K V Mani said vote of thanks. There was also a demonstration of the fertigation system used for precision farming by experts from Jain Irrigation Systems.