Geographic Information System (GIS) and Its Application in Precision Farming

A geographic information system (GIS) is a computer-based tool that stores, analyzes, and displays information about locations on Earth:
GIS combines database operations like statistical analysis and queries with the visualization and geographic analysis capabilities of maps. It can be used to:
Analyze patterns and relationships,
Make informed decisions,
Solve social and business challenges,
Improve logistics,
Plan for extreme weather events

1. GeographicInformationSystem(GIS) and Its
Applicationin PrecisionFarming
Course Teachers
Dr. M. KUMARESAN, Ph.D.
(Hort.)
School of Agriculture
VelsInstitute of Science, Technology
and Advanced Studies (VISTAS)
Pallavaram, Chennai -600 117
GeoinformaticsandNanotechnologyandPrecision
Farming 2(1+1)

2. What is Geographical Information System?
A geographic information system (GIS)
integrates hardware, software, and data for
capturing, managing, analyzing, and
displaying all forms of geographically
referenced information
•A powerful set of tools for collecting,
storing, retrieving, transforming, and
displaying spatial data from the real
world. (Burroughs, 1986)

3. Introduction
Geographic Information Systems plays a crucial role in precision agriculture by
integrating spatial data and advanced mapping tools to help farmers make
informed decisions.
Through the use of GPS technology, remote sensing, and satellite imagery, GIS
enables farmers to gather detailed information about soil conditions, crop
health, and weather patterns.This data allows them to monitor variability
within their fields, identify areas that need attention, and apply inputs like water,
fertilizers, and pesticides more precisely.
By GIS, farmers can optimize resources, reduce waste, and ultimately improve crop
yields while minimizing environmental impact.
Additionally, GIS facilitates crop health monitoring by using multispectral and
hyperspectral imagery to detect early signs of plant stress or disease. This data
allows farmers to address issues proactively, optimize inputs like water, fertilizers,
and pesticides, and improve overall resource management.
Ultimately, GIS enhances crop yields, reduces waste, and promotes sustainable
farming practices.

4. Principle
Preparing Result
▪One of the most exciting aspects of GIS technology is the
variety of different ways in which the information can be
presented.
Data Capture
▪Data sources are mainly obtained from manual digitization and
scanning of aerial photographs, or existing digital data sets.
Database Management and Update
▪Data security, data integrity, and data storage and
retrieval, and data maintenance abilities
Geographic Analysis
•Collected information is analyzed and interpreted
qualitatively and quantitatively.

5. Functions
Visualization
•This represents the ability to display your data, your maps, and information.
Data Capture
•The input of data into a GIS can be achieved through many different methods
of gathering. For example, aerial photography, scanning, digitizing, GPS or
global positioning system is just a few of the ways a GIS user could obtain data.
Data Storage
•GIS stores spatial and attribute data in databases
Data Manipulation
•The digital geographical data can be edited, this allows for many attribute to be
added, edited, or deleted to the specification of the project.
Data Analysis
•GIS provides tools for analyzing the spatial relationships between
geographic features.

6. Components
Procedures
•The processes and workflows for data collection, management, analysis, and
decision-making.
Hardware
•Physical devices like computers, GPS receivers, servers, and sensors that are
used to collect, store, and analyze geographic data.
Software
•GIS software, such as ArcGIS, QGIS, or Google Earth Engine, that allows for
data visualization, spatial analysis, and map creation
Data
•Spatial data (e.g., maps, satellite imagery, field surveys) and non-spatial data
(e.g., soil properties, crop yield data, weather data) that are input into the GIS
system
People
•The users who operate GIS software, analyze the data, and make decisions
based on the outputs

7. There are two main forms of GIS data
Most GIS software can now handle both forms: VectorandRaster
Model
Invectordatasets,mapfeatures suchas points,lines,and
polygonsareorganizedandmanipulatedinadatabase.
The fundamental concept of vector GIS is that all geographic
features in the real workcan be represented either as:
points or dots (nodes): trees, poles, airports, cities
lines (arcs): streams, streets
areas (polygons): land, cities, counties, forest, rock type

8. Raster Model
In raster data sets, the data are organized as a matrix
of numerical values and referenced spatially by row
and column position.

9. Applications of GIS in Precision Farming
Field Mapping
Function: GIS allows farmers to create detailed field maps, which can include
data layers for soil properties (e.g., pH, texture, organic matter), topography,
crop yield, and pest populations. These maps can help identify areas of the field
that require different management practices.
Application: By analyzing these maps, farmers can divide their fields into
distinct management zones based on factors like soil fertility, moisture content,
or topography. This is known as site-specific management. Different inputs,
such as fertilizers, irrigation, or pesticides, can be applied to each zone,
optimizing resource use and reducing waste.
.

10. Applications of GIS in Precision Farming
Variable Rate Application (VRA)
Function: GIS, when integrated with Global Positioning System (GPS) and
other technologies (e.g., yield monitors, soil sensors), enables Variable Rate
Technology (VRT). VRT allows for the precise application of inputs (seeds,
fertilizers, pesticides) at varying rates depending on the needs of different areas
within a field.
Application: By analyzing spatial data in GIS, farmers can create prescription
maps that guide machinery (e.g., fertilizer spreaders or sprayers) to apply the
appropriate amount of input based on the field's variable conditions. This
ensures that inputs are applied precisely where they are needed, optimizing
their effectiveness and minimizing waste.
.

11. Applications of GIS in Precision Farming
Soil Health Monitoring
Function: GIS integrates data from soil sensors, field sampling, and other
sources to create complete soil health maps that show variations in soil
properties across a field.
Application: By monitoring soil characteristics such as pH, nutrient levels, and
moisture content, farmers can make more accurate decisions about soil
amendments and irrigation. This is particularly important for improving soil
fertility, managing irrigation systems, and optimizing fertilizer application.

12. Applications of GIS in Precision Farming
Crop Yield Monitoring and Mapping
Function: GIS can be integrated with yield monitors on harvesters to create
yield maps, which show how much crop was produced in different parts of the
field. This data can be used to identify high-and low-yielding areas.
Application: Yield maps generated using GIS allow farmers to analyze the
variability in crop production across the field. This analysis helps in
understanding which areas of the field are performing well and which areas
need attention (e.g., improving soil conditions, managing pest outbreaks). Yield
data can also be combined with soil data to help fine-tune future farming
practices and resource allocation

13. Applications of GIS in Precision Farming
Irrigation Management
Function: GIS, combined with data from soil moisture sensors and weather
stations, helps in managing irrigation by providing a detailed understanding of
soil moisture levels across the field.
Application: By mapping variations in soil moisture and topography, farmers
can optimize their irrigation practices, ensuring that water is applied where it’s
needed and reducing water waste. GIS helps create irrigation management
zones, where irrigation rates can be adjusted based on local conditions.

14. Applications of GIS in Precision Farming
Pest and Disease Management
Function: GIS can integrate data from remote sensing (e.g., satellite imagery
or UAVs), weather stations, and ground surveys to identify areas of the field
where pests or diseases are likely to be a problem.
Application: By mapping the spatial distribution of pest populations or disease
outbreaks, farmers can make decisions about targeted pesticide applications.
GIS helps in creating prescription maps for site-specific pest control,
minimizing pesticide use and reducing environmental impact.

15. Applications of GIS in Precision Farming
Environmental Impact Analysis
Function: GIS helps in assessing the environmental impact of farming
practices, including nutrient runoff, water usage, and soil erosion. GIS can
model environmental variables, such as rainfall patterns, runoff risk, and crop
cover.
Application: By analyzing these environmental factors, farmers can adjust
their practices to reduce negative impacts on the environment, such as
minimizing fertilizer runoff or optimizing water usage for irrigation. GIS also
allows for conservation planning, helping farmers implement sustainable
practices that conserve soil, water, and biodiversity.
.

16. Applications of GIS in Precision Farming
Climate and Weather Monitoring
Function: GIS can incorporate weather data (e.g., temperature, humidity,
rainfall) from local weather stations or satellite-based sources. This data can be
combined with field-specific information such as soil moisture and crop type.
Application: Weather data integrated into GIS helps farmers make timely
decisions about planting, harvesting, and applying crop protection chemicals.
For example, GIS can alert farmers to weather conditions conducive to pest
outbreaks or guide irrigation decisions based on precipitation forecasts.
.

17. Applications of GIS in Precision Farming
Farm Equipment Management
Function: GIS enables tracking of farm machinery and vehicles using GPS
tracking systems, which can be integrated into farm management systems.
Application: By tracking equipment in real-time, GIS helps farmers monitor
the location and use of machinery, improving logistics and field operations. It
can also help in fleet management, ensuring that equipment is used efficiently
and that tasks are coordinated across the farm.
.

18. Benefits of GIS in Precision Farming
Improved Resource Management: GIS helps optimize the use of resources
such as water, fertilizers, and pesticides by targeting applications to specific
areas within a field, leading to cost savings and minimizing waste.
Increased Crop Yield: By identifying high-performing and underperforming
areas in the field, farmers can implement suitable interventions to boost
productivity in low-yielding zones and further enhance high-yielding areas.
Sustainability: GIS supports more sustainable farming practices by reducing
input use, minimizing environmental impacts (e.g., water runoff, pesticide drift),
and improving soil health.

19. Benefits of GIS in Precision Farming
Cost Savings: Through precision farming techniques enabled by GIS, farmers
can reduce the overuse of fertilizers, pesticides, and water, leading to significant
cost savings. Additionally, efficient use of machinery and labor reduces
operational costs.
Risk Management: GIS allows farmers to anticipate risks such as droughts,
floods, pest infestations, or disease outbreaks by analyzing historical data and
environmental patterns, helping them take preventive measures.
Better Decision-Making: The integration of diverse data types into GIS
platforms enhances decision-making by providing farmers with a clearer, more
accurate view of field conditions, improving farm management practices.

20. Challenges and Limitations of GIS in Precision Farming
Cost: GIS software, hardware, and training can be expensive and may require
significant investment, especially for smaller farms or those in developing
countries.
Data Collection and Integration: Accurate and up-to-date data is critical for
GIS applications, and collecting spatial data through remote sensing, soil
sampling, and sensors can be time-consuming and resource-intensive.
Technical Expertise: GIS requires specialized knowledge and training to use
effectively. Farmers and farm managers need to understand how to interpret
GIS maps, data layers, and analysis results to make the best decisions.
Data Compatibility: Integrating data from multiple sources (e.g., remote
sensing, GPS, soil sensors) into a GIS system can be challenging due to
differences in data formats and resolution.