Precision farming: how to succeed not just on paper, but in reality?

Today, many large companies are beginning to introduce various elements of precision agriculture into production, create R & D departments, even their agrochemical laboratories and software. Laurel “inventors” do not give rest to many companies.

Instead of simply introducing a tested algorithm or using a quality examination, everyone tries to invent something of their own. And, as a rule, the “inventors” do not “invent” to the technological map.

The fact is that only a few Ukrainian agro companies implement “precise” technologies systematically and with the corresponding economic effect. Therefore, in Ukraine, real precise agriculture works only 2-3% of all land area. In other cases, it is a question of single, “detached” from the complex of technology components or “elements” of precision agriculture, and thus ineffective investments and undifferentiated “profits”. And all because the introduction of precise agriculture in Ukraine is more than a nuisance or an “ambitions” of individual owners, top managers and just a tribute to the time, and not a deliberate, weighed and planned solution.

Is your company ready for the “digital era” of agribusiness?

To understand this, you need to answer the following questions.

Why do you need “precise” technology? Do you have a strategic plan for implementing precise agriculture?

To implement precision farming is necessary in a comprehensive manner. Only then can you expect the expected effect. If technology is not part of the solution to an integrated strategy for implementing precision agriculture in the company, but simply a “novelty” that you want to have – get ready: you are disappointed.

What is the cost of a technology system? What is the benefit of her?

It is important to realize that we are talking about a number of advantages, and not just about increasing revenues in a short period of time. Information about your fields can be an investment, which will lead to better management and increase profits in the future.

Remember: your profit is largely determined by the ability to save costs. Part of this is to maintain “flexibility” and reduce investment in the early years when you begin to implement precision farming.

Data systematization and individual solutions

It’s important to accumulate information, analyze historical data and explore changes in your fields for a few years to identify the technology and equipment that best suits your business.

But the collected data will not help to find an answer if there are no algorithms for their analytics. And there is no single business model for that. Therefore, analysis and interpretation of data and their transformation into a “recipe” / “recommendation” is a great value. Individual “recipes” provide specific advice on how to solve problems, including which crops, where and how to sow, what technology to apply to soil and plants, and how to effectively use different resources / fertilizers. However, precise programs exist where there is practice and dynamics, which create great value.

Technique is not a panacea

In addition, science and technology are changing very quickly today, and now may not be the best time to buy expensive equipment. New tools and solutions that come with each passing year are less costly and have better functionality. Today, there are many examples when a number of companies have machinery equipped with various expensive systems of precision farming, but with the company there are no solutions and tools to formulate the task and manage it. Think of it: companies spend millions on technology with additional capabilities, but do not use half of them! Sometimes it is enough to refit or refit the existing sprayer, cultivator and tractor in the company. And this can be a more efficient and cost-effective way to the goal, of course, if you have developed a roadmap / plan for the implementation of precision farming in the next 3-5 years.

What are the “smart” investments?

First of all, these are tools that will help you accurately measure crop productivity and fertility within the fields. Performance monitoring – A comprehensive GPS analysis, crop mapping, and a quality long-term satellite monitoring tool for profit margins – are mandatory: “You can not control what you can not measure.”

Profitability monitoring lets you know how each part of the field changes over the course of a year. And this is directly related to the key indicator – your income. It is necessary to determine precisely what factors and how they affect your income within the field. Innovative equipment or tools and scientific analysis are needed to ensure that the difference in returns you see is related to the difference between elements of precision farming and traditional technology, rather than other factors that usually affect the crop. This will allow for an objective assessment and explanation of the difference in profitability.

It is necessary to introduce precision agriculture too – precisely: with a clear plan and understanding of the ultimate goal!

Yaroslav Boyko, SEO of AgriLab, official representative of the International Organization for the Exploitation of Agriculture in Ukraine