How Do Prescription Maps Improve Resource Management?
As agricultural practices evolve, farmers are increasingly turning to prescription maps to fine-tune their crop management strategies. By using these maps, farmers can make informed decisions on where and how much to apply various inputs like fertilisers and pesticides.
This data-driven approach not only boosts efficiency but also supports sustainability by minimising waste and reducing the environmental impact of traditional farming practices. In this blog, we will explore how prescription maps are changing the landscape of agriculture and why they are essential for the future of farming.
The Growing Need for Addressing Resource Scarcity
As the global population grows and natural resources become increasingly scarce, the need for more efficient management of key agricultural inputs has never been more critical. Along with water, which is at the heart of global food security, resources like soil nutrients and energy are also under pressure.
With more than 3 billion people living in water-stressed areas, agriculture, the largest consumer of freshwater, faces mounting challenges to meet the needs of the world’s food system. Beyond water, other critical resources, including fertilisers, pesticides, and herbicides, must be managed more efficiently to ensure the sustainability of farming practices and preserve the planet’s limited resources.
Sustainable Water Management in Agriculture
As climate change continues to exacerbate water shortages and variability, farmers are looking for innovative solutions to optimise water use. The traditional “one-size-fits-all” approach to irrigation is no longer efficient or sustainable, making way for more precise methods that ensure water is applied only where and when it is needed.
This is where Variable Rate Irrigation (VRI) comes into play. VRI is a specialised subset of precision agriculture focused specifically on optimising water use. By integrating real-time data from sources such as soil moisture sensors, weather forecasts, and crop water needs, VRI allows farmers to adjust irrigation rates based on the specific needs of different areas of the field. The result is improved water efficiency, reduced waste, and higher crop yields, all while conserving this precious resource.
VRI works by using prescription maps that tell irrigation systems how much water to apply in each part of the field. These maps are usually created at the start of the growing season, considering factors like crop yield, soil type, and field topography.
The Role of Variable Rate Application (VRA) in Resource Management
While VRI focuses specifically on water, Variable Rate Application (VRA) encompasses a broader range of agricultural inputs, including fertilisers, pesticides, and herbicides. Like VRI, VRA relies on real-time data gathered from sensors, satellite imagery, and other monitoring tools to determine the optimal amount of input to apply to different parts of a field. This approach ensures that inputs are applied only where and in the amounts needed, reducing waste, cutting costs, and minimising environmental impact.
Since its introduction in the mid-1980s, Variable Rate Application (VRA) has evolved from an experimental idea into a fundamental practice in modern precision agriculture. Initially met with scepticism, Variable Rate Application (VRA) is now widely adopted. However, achieving high-quality Prescription Maps (PMs) – the foundation of both VRI and VRA – requires a robust and diverse data infrastructure. But where does this data come from?
Technological Tools for Precision Mapping
The data required to create these precision maps is gathered from a diverse range of sources, each providing crucial insights that contribute to the accuracy and effectiveness of the mapping process. These sources include advanced technologies and systems that continuously collect real-time information, ensuring that the maps reflect the dynamic conditions of the field. Below are some of the key technological tools involved:
- Remote Sensing – Satellite imagery, drones, and sensors collect real-time data on crop health, soil conditions, and environmental factors, which feed into prescription maps for tailored interventions. Satellites, in particular, can be equipped with various sensors such as multispectral, thermal, hyperspectral, and SAR cameras, providing more detailed insights into field variability for precise mapping.
- Variable Rate Technology (VRT) – VRT-equipped machinery uses prescription maps to automatically adjust the application rate of inputs (e.g., water, fertiliser) based on the specific needs of different areas in the field. When developing these maps, it is important to consider the limitations of VRT, as it can impact effectiveness. VRT works best with large, homogeneous zones, and the precision of the maps depends on the machine’s technical ability to execute the prescribed changes.
- GPS (Global Positioning System) – GPS technology ensures accurate location tracking of equipment and helps create precise prescription maps that match field variability. For instance, soil data, crucial for determining the right agronomic input, must be collected using GPS to pinpoint the sample location.
- GIS (Geographic Information System) – GIS software analyses spatial data to generate maps that highlight areas needing different treatment based on factors like soil type, moisture, and crop health.
- Soil and Crop Sensors – Ground-based sensors measure factors like soil moisture, nutrient levels, and crop stress, providing real-time data to refine prescription maps for optimal input application.
Key Benefits of Prescription Maps
With the integration of these technological tools, the key benefits of prescription maps become clear:
- Improved Efficiency: Prescription maps ensure that inputs like water, fertiliser, and pesticides are applied only where needed, reducing waste and cutting costs.
- Enhanced Crop Yields: By tailoring inputs to specific field zones, prescription maps can foster better crop growth and increase overall yields.
- Sustainable Farming: Precision application helps reduce environmental impact by minimising the overuse of resources and decreasing runoff.
- Data-Driven Decisions: Prescription maps provide farmers with clear, data-backed insights for more informed decision-making in field management.
- Optimised Resource Use: With prescription maps, farmers can make the most of available resources by targeting areas with the greatest need, boosting productivity.
Data Infrastructure and Connectivity Challenges
While these digital tools provide numerous advantages, they also present challenges related to data infrastructure and connectivity. Many rely on single data types, limiting the potential for combining multiple sources to make more accurate decisions.
The need for seamless data transfer and reliable network connections is especially critical in remote areas. As agricultural operations increasingly rely on digital solutions, it is crucial to address issues such as connectivity disruptions, system failures, and cybersecurity risks.
Optimising Farming with Data: The Role of STELAR
The integration of these advanced tools is a significant leap toward optimising farm operations. However, to truly elevate the process, there is an ongoing need for robust, high-quality, and accessible data systems. This is where initiatives like STELAR, a Horizon Europe-funded project, take centre stage.
By developing a Knowledge Lake Management System (KLMS), STELAR provides a platform where agrifood datasets are easily discoverable, accessible, reusable, and interoperable.
One of the STELAR partners, ABACO, leads the pilot on “Timely Precision Farming Interventions,” which focuses on enhancing land management and crop planning. This pilot integrates Earth Observation (EO) data with farming technologies, selected and tailored to local conditions. By producing prescription maps, ABACO aims to support more informed farming practices, optimise resource management, and ultimately contribute to sustainable agriculture.
Conclusion
As the demand for sustainable farming practices grows, prescription maps will continue to be integral to achieving efficient, high-yield farming while preserving valuable resources.
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Resources
- Bökle, S., Karampoiki, M., Paraforos, D. S., & Griepentrog, H. W. (2023). Using an open source and resilient technology framework to generate and execute prescription maps for site-specific manure application. Smart Agricultural Technology, 2023, 100272. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atech.2023.100272
- Corbari, C., Gabrieli, D., Furlan, L., Furlanetto, J., Skokovic, D., Sobrino, J., & Morari, F. (2024). Optimizing variable rate irrigation using model and satellite-based dynamic prescription maps. Agricultural Water Management, 299, 108896. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2024.108896
- FutureLearn. (2023). Innovation in arable farming. https://www.futurelearn.com/info/courses/innovation-in-arable-farming/0/steps/160453
- Automatic Farm Solution. (2024, May 29). How prescription maps revolutionize farming. https://www.automaticfarmsolution.com/post/how-prescription-maps-revolutionize-farming
