Application of precision agriculture technologies in Central Europe-review

Abstract

Precision agriculture (PA) relies on a large amount of precise data about a given area and allows that data to be used in accordance with agronomic practices. It offers farmers greater control over existing processes, from crop placement to soil conditions to chemical use. On the other hand, applying precision livestock solutions to these expanding systems is a way to bring animals closer to producers and minimize waste and costs. In Europe, precision agriculture has emerged as a new way to help farmers increase the quantity and quality of agricultural production while using fewer inputs. The spatial and temporal variability in the application of PA and the implications of site-specific application are documented in this article. The objective of this review article is to provide an overview of the application of precision agriculture in Central European countries (Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia, Slovenia, Germany, and Hungary) identified through a systematic literature review (SLR). The analyses revealed that with the rapid development of automation in agriculture, the demand for skilled workers will continue to increase and technology will continue to open up new application areas as well as the development of new AgriTech startups in the future. Currently, there are farmers in Germany and the Czech Republic who are leaders in the use of these technologies. However, the application of precision agriculture requires further research to provide more accurate information and is an area that is constantly evolving.

Keywords

• Smart technologies
• Precision agriculture adoption
• Technology adoption