Use of Geographical Information Technologies in a Precision Agriculture Management System for Food Traceability

Abstract

Precision agriculture management system (PAMS) can be defined as the system based on the use of GITs (geographical information technologies) in agriculture. In this system, instead of managing the whole field as a single unit, fields are divided into small areas, and for each area different information and data related to soil and vegetation characteristics (e.g. yield, moisture, texture, structure, nutrient status, etc.) are collected and archived in a geographical information system (GIS) database. On the other hand, coordinates of harvesting machines and the fields are also collected and archived in the same GIS database. If there is a real-time operating CORS (Continuously Operating Reference Stations) network in service in the region, then the obtainable real-time coordinate accuracy will reach up to 2–4 cm. If the GNSS receivers on the agricultural machinery are connected to a yield/crop/moisture sensor, then all collected data will be georeferenced. Consequently, all data collected with georeferenced info will provide farmers with the possibility of mapping of the existing status of the field. When the field is mapped and stored in a GIS database, it will enable the farmer to see and understand all conditions throughout his field. It is also possible to analyse relations between the crop variability and field conditions using GIS software. Once these relations are set up, it is possible to prepare the prescription maps for each area within the field. The use of GITs in a country which has numerous and scattered farming fields is inevitable due to its advantage in reducing the cost for labour and mineral fuels and saving time by minimizing the operation hours of machinery in the field to the minimum required.