THE importance of agriculture cannot be underestimated in any country, but in Pakistan this sector is the backbone of the national economy.

Agriculture accounts for 26 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) of Pakistan. For a sector so vital to the development of the country, it has unfortunately not received the attention it truly deserves.

We have strictly limited agriculture to the terms ‘cultivation’, ‘soil fertility’, ‘terrestrial environment’, etc.

While these are the things that form the base of agricultural development in any area, the developed world around us has shifted its focus more towards the effects of climate change, and technological advancements, like digital agriculture, use of drones, advanced gene editing, etc.

In short, the developed world is pouring a large amount of money and resources to unfold a whole new potential of science and technology in the field of agriculture. This is where ‘precision agriculture’ comes into the picture.

Precision agriculture means using information technology to make digital farm management systems with the objective of optimum productivity and profitability, and protection of land resources, all while minimising the production costs.

To elaborate this concept further, it can be divided into two parts: the basic tools that play a part in creating the system, and practical uses of the systems. The first technology involved is one we all know quite well; the Global Positioning System (GPS). It enables farmers to identify field information, such as soil type, pest occurrence, weed invasion, etc., based on a precise location.

Another technology, the Geographical Information Systems (GIS), is relatively new in our country. However, some universities, like the National University of Science and Technology, the Institute of Space Technology and the University of Karachi, are offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in this promising field.

It is a system which, in simple words, allows us to potentially manipulate locational data in any way that we would like. The end result of GIS applications is often a map. Computerised GIS maps contain layers of information like yield, soil survey, crop type, nutrient levels and prone pests. This information is used to understand the relationships between these various layers and how they affect a crop at a certain point.

Moreover, we can use sensors to provide essential information on soil properties, plant fertility and water status.

Now coming to the practical use, these technologies can be combined to create mobile applications for smart-phones, and to send text messages or call alerts on the networks for those who do not have smart-phones.

The mobile application, designed in national and regional languages, may include predictive weather analytics, monitoring of acidity/alkalinity and moisture levels in soil in real time, and visual monitoring of crops. There may be even tips that pop up in between for sustainable farming for awareness, like: “When planting in a field near a river, it is best to use a seed that requires less fertiliser to help reduce pollution.”

Alerts through text messages can be sent on mobile networks for urgent action. For instance, warnings of heavy rainfall may alert the farmer to decide about harvesting sugarcane crops which require the soil to be dry.

With the growing use of smart-phones, it is quite practical to introduce a rudimentary concept of precision agriculture, even in remote areas. However, we still face huge obstacles in the form of lack of information and resources. An effective awareness programme organised by recognised authorities is important.

In the wake of the Covid pandemic, we have come to realise that lack of reliable internet connectivity remains a major problem in remote areas. This is where the government and private entities can step in to provide resources, awareness, and financial / technical assistance so that we can utilise the potential of the agricultural sector on an unprecedented level.

Daniya Gardezi
Rawalpindi

Published in Dawn, May 11th, 2021