Modern agriculture
Conservation, precision, natural and organic farming, and remote sensing in agriculture.
New directions in farming
Modern agriculture aims at high productivity with lower costs and less damage to natural resources.
Conservation agriculture
Based on three principles: minimum soil disturbance (zero or reduced tillage), permanent soil cover (crop residues or cover crops) and crop diversification (rotations). The Happy Seeder sows wheat directly into rice residue, avoiding stubble burning. Benefits: lower fuel and labour cost, better soil organic matter, less erosion.
Precision agriculture
Precision farming applies the right input, at the right place, in the right amount, at the right time. It uses GPS, GIS, yield monitors, variable-rate applicators, sensors and drones to manage within-field variation. It saves inputs and reduces pollution.
Natural and organic farming
- Organic farming avoids synthetic fertilisers, pesticides and genetically modified seeds; it relies on compost, green manure, crop rotation, biofertilisers and biological pest control. Produce can be certified as organic.
- Natural farming (for example zero budget natural farming) uses on-farm inputs such as preparations from cow dung and urine (jeevamrit, beejamrit), mulching and soil aeration, with minimal purchased inputs.
Remote sensing
Remote sensing collects information about the earth without contact, using sensors on satellites or aircraft that record reflected or emitted electromagnetic radiation. Healthy vegetation reflects strongly in near-infrared and absorbs red light; indices such as NDVI use this to measure crop vigour. Applications: crop acreage and yield estimation, drought and flood monitoring, soil mapping, pest and disease detection. Indian remote sensing satellites (IRS series) support such work.
Key points
- Conservation agriculture: minimum tillage, soil cover, rotation.
- Happy Seeder helps avoid stubble burning.
- Precision farming uses GPS, GIS and variable-rate technology.
- Organic farming bans synthetic chemicals.
- Healthy crops reflect strongly in near-infrared.
Exam tips
- Match each technology with its farming system.
- Remember the "four rights" phrasing of precision agriculture.