Reshaping the Agriculture Sector of Pakistan through Innovative Agri-Tech Devices to Achieve Food Security

Abstract

Precision agriculture (PA) has the potential to radically transform agronomic systems. It is an effective approach for viable zone management in the agriculture field. In today's era of finite resources and drastic consequences of climate change, an approach to PA which is an integration of below-the-ground sensors, multispectral satellite imagery, and weather monitoring system is reshaping agriculture from static to smart. In this paper, a real-time case study at a lemon orchard in Gadap, Sindh, Pakistan is presented where PA practices are being implemented successfully. At the farm locally developed innovative agri-tech devices are deployed which are embedded with electrical conductivity, soil temperature, soil moisture sensor, and nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium sensor to monitor real-time conditions of the soil for precision irrigation and fertilizer application. Along with device data, incorporation of weather data, agronomist advisory and use of satellite imagery offer a full-functioning monitoring system for viable decisions. This system also favors tracking variations in crop health & pest attack for precise pesticide spray. The data output is observed through a web application. Using these drivers for PA there was increased flowering in the orchard as compared to other farms in the vicinity. Hence, a promising surplus yield and least toxic better fruit quality are being obtained, along with the preservation of biodiversity and environment sustainability the output yield of lemons was quite better than the conventional agriculture practices. PA is an extraordinary approach to leap closer to food security.

Keywords

• precision agriculture (PA)
• agri-tech devices
• remote sensing
• food security
• Internet of Things (IoT)