Each year, farmers invest heavily in future crops, taking on significant risks, as the return on investment remains uncertain. In such an unstable environment, agricultural producers are always searching for effective solutions that can improve yields and profitability.

Precision farming has proven to be a promising approach that can reduce costs by up to 70% while boosting the sustainability of agricultural production. Additionally, this technology helps improve working conditions and significantly saves time during field operations.

What is Precision Farming?

Precision farming is a modern approach to agriculture that uses digital technologies, data, and automated systems to optimise farm management. The primary goal is to maximise yields and profits while minimising resource use and reducing environmental impact.

Modern Tools for Precision Farming

Today, the precision farming market offers a wide range of devices and software solutions designed to improve the efficiency of agricultural production. These technologies cover the entire cycle of agricultural work – from sowing to harvesting, providing farmers with accurate data and automation of processes. Below are the key devices and software actively used in modern agriculture.

Modern tools for precision farming

Title

Characteristics

GPS Navigation

The Global Positioning System (GPS) allows you to accurately determine the coordinates of agricultural machinery in the field. It helps plan straight routes, minimise overlaps, and optimize farming operations. This reduces fuel, chemical use, and the overall cost of processing.

RTK (Real-Time Kinematic)

RTK base station is a technology for differential correction of GPS signals, providing positioning accuracy of up to 2-3 cm. It ensures high precision during operations like seeding, inter-row cultivation, and fertilisation. RTK receiver also maintains stable autopilot operation even in challenging environments.

Tractor Manual Control System with GPS

These systems provide visual or audio cues to help the operator maintain the intended route. The manual steering system is particularly useful in low-visibility conditions and reduces operator fatigue, increasing work efficiency.

Automatic tractor control system (autopilot)

Fully automated tractor control along pre-set routes, improving productivity and reducing operator workload. This system also increases fuel efficiency by following the most optimized routes and reduces the risk of human error.

Soil and Yield Sensors

These sensors measure various parameters such as moisture, temperature, pH levels, and nutrient content. By monitoring these factors, they help create precise yield maps and inform better decision-making for planting and fertilisation.

Drones

Drones help quickly survey large areas, capturing images and videos in real-time. They assist in detecting plant stress, monitoring crop growth, and assessing soil conditions. This helps farmers make informed decisions about irrigation, pesticide application, and fertilisation.

AgriAnalytics Software

Specialized platforms (such as FMS – farm management software) integrate data from GPS, RTK systems, sensors, and drones to help farmers manage their fields more efficiently. The software creates detailed reports and provides insights on how to optimize the farm’s operations.

 

Benefits of Precision Agriculture for Farmers

Precision farming systems allow farmers to use resources like seeds, fertilisers, water, and plant protection products more efficiently, applying them only when and where needed. This helps reduce waste and cuts costs, making the production process more cost-effective. In large-scale operations, even small reductions in input costs can lead to significant savings. Here are the key benefits that precision farming brings to farmers:

  • boosting and stabilising yields. By monitoring soil, plants, and weather conditions, farmers can quickly identify issues and adjust their practices. Using productivity maps to apply resources precisely to each part of the field allows farmers to unlock the full potential of their land, making yields more predictable and less dependent on external factors;

  • enhancing product quality. With better plant nutrition, timely processing, and protection from stress, the overall quality of crops improves. This is essential for meeting the high standards of export markets or retail chains, where quality is paramount;

  • saving time and labor. Automating processes such as equipment guidance and field mapping enables farmers to complete tasks more efficiently and accurately. This reduces manual labor, freeing up time for other essential tasks, particularly during busy periods like planting or harvesting;

  • improving operational accuracy and reducing human error. Even with skilled operators, human error can affect the quality of work. Automated systems like autopilot, sensors, and algorithms ensure consistent results, minimising mistakes that could lead to crop loss or excessive resource usage;

  • environmental benefits and sustainability. Precision farming reduces chemical inputs, lowering the risk of pollution to soil, water, and air. This supports sustainable farming practices and can be an advantage when certifying products for environmentally-conscious markets;

  • better management transparency. Digital solutions provide farmers with a detailed record of their operations, including the resources used and the outcomes achieved. This enhances internal management, streamlines operations, and prepares farms for regulatory inspections or investor reviews.

Farmers adopting precision farming technologies increase their competitiveness, gain access to preferential financing, and find it easier to collaborate with large agricultural holdings and exporters.