Precision agriculture is a multi-disciplinary concept and as such requires to integrate multiple data sources : plant multi-spectral imagery, soil chemical analyses (inputs levels) and meteorological data. A precision agriculture project spans over 3 to 4 years, it is not a one year shot ... The best results (ROI) can be obtained by cumulating steps towards optimisation of plant growth.

A precision agriculture project aims at optimising multiple factors so we focus on finding the factors responsible for lower yields and/or quality and correcting these factors. In general precision agriculture consultants, and especially new UAV companies are taking into account only one factor (for example Nitrogen fertiliser); this works only on a small part of the field. Applying a one factor approach is prone to failure and to client dissatisfaction. The "one size fits all" approach does definitely not work, it is useless to persevere in applying cheap non working solutions. These are the major problems facing precision agriculture adoption. A multifactorial system like agriculture has to be considered as such in order to obtain the highest ROI : enhanced yield and/or quality.

Precision agriculture is a complicated matter. The best approach to improve yields and quality to their optima does not exist yet. Researchers struggle with trying to optimise factors one at a time because of changing environmental conditions. They aim at building models but these models fail because not all factors are appreciated to their true value. Actually, no computer program has the ability to replace a wise human brain in the precision agriculture field. Most advanced precision agriculture researchers know that the best approach is to try solutions based on selected measurements and evaluate the results. This is definitely what consultants should provide, but this approach is like doing research in the field and not all consultants are able to grasp this way of thinking. The challenge in precision agriculture is to choose which measurements are most likely to provide valuable information and when to make these measurements. Then, combining acquired data to decide where and how to act is the point where the wise human brain cannot be substituted. 

SMART data is better than BIG data.

Trusting your precision agriculture consultant to choose the good data

-AND-

using this data wisely will bring your precision agriculture project to complete success.

If you share our point of view and want to know more about what we can do for you ...

... Contact us !