Contribution of GNSS in precision agriculture

Abstract

Precision Agriculture Management System (PAMS) can generally be defined as the system based on the advanced navigation, information and communication technologies. In this system, instead of managing whole fields as a single unit, fields are divided into small areas and for each area different information and data related to soil and vegetation characteristics (e.g. yield, moisture, texture, structure, nutrient status, etc.) are gathered and archived in a GIS database. Use of modern technologies (ICT: Information&Communication Technologies, Remote Sensing, GIS and GNSS) in precision farming increase gradually in developed countries. Using these technologies in Turkey where numerous and scattered farming fields exist is inevitable due to its advantage in reducing the cost for labour and mineral fuels and saving time by minimizing the operation hours of machinery in the field to the minimum required. Hence, it is vital to initiate the necessary infrastructure works and support the use of GIS/GNSS in farming. Thus, establishing an effective PAMS is possible to integrate with the ICT, GNSS and GIS technologies. In this paper, PAMS concept, its necessity and components are briefly discussed. And the importance of using GNSS in an effective precision agriculture application is mentioned. Besides, GNSS infrastructure of a PAMS established by Turksat Inc. Co. in Ceylanpinar is introduced. Additionally, some cost-saving info is also given obtained from some applications previously performed in Turkey.