the dire need for precision agriculture education

Spring 2009Zhiyong Wang

The application of technologies and agronomic principles to manage spatial and temporal variability associated with all aspects of agricultural production for the purpose of improving crop performance and environmental quality.

GPS receivers;

Yield monitors;

Remote sensing;

GIS data bases;

Variable rate technologies.

Precision Ag is a term that captures the imagination of many concerned with the production of food, feed, and fiber. The concepts embodied in Precision Ag offer the promise of increasing productivity while decreasing production costs and minimizing environmental impacts.

Precision Ag projects images of producers conquering the problems with computerized machinery precisely controlled via local sensors and satellites, and using planning software accurately predicting crop development. This image has been called the future of agriculture.

Nevertheless, the entire world is filled with a great number of people who are living with starvation. With the increase of food prices, this has led to even a greater increase in the number of people unable to feed themselves to secure a normal life.

There are now estimated to be 963 million people, 14% of the world's population, going hungry in 2008, up by 40 million from the year before. By applying Precision Ag, more food will be produced by less land with more efficiency.

Lots of producers are unfamiliar with this term.

The reluctance toward implementation of Precision Ag for most conventional farmers.

The stunningly ample information has blurred the vision for choosing this technique.

The equipment is too costly.

The inadequacy of promotion of knowledge on this.

Cost and availability to access quality education and training are not satisfactory.

Producers;

Salespersons;

Early users;

Youth.

They, usually as skilled agronomists, will ultimately dictate the speed and extent to which Precision Ag is adopted. Hence, it is momentous to mainly center on this group. Curriculum and teaching methods should be responsive to the changing needs of producers and agribusiness.

Educational courses must be launched so established producers can harness the latest Precision Ag techniques.

Manufacturers of products and machinery can play their part too, as cost-effective and environmentally friendly farming is the boost.

Producers need to fully understand the value of Precision Ag, and in the meantime, must also understand how to use this sophisticated technology to enhance their bottom lines.

They are who publicize the most up-to-date products. In this sense, to equip them well with the information of these products will immensely improve the dissemination of Precision Ag.

They are a important circle of people because they get the first trial on the equipment. Therefore, they can act as demonstrators for the equipment and this way is often very telling for encouraging those who only like to see the direct results.

Youth are the tomorrow of Precision Ag. Taking care of them will help ensure the success of future Precision Ag. As commonly known, it is easy to impart the knowledge to them, and they are less questioning than adults.

Newsletter:Newsletter: It is the earliest and most common

approach of communication. It facilitates the speedy spread of preliminary information to a certain group of audience.

Research Publication:Research Publication: It is a very traditional avenue for research.

In particular, research findings in the land-grant university system are assumed to be published in this kind of journals.

Compact Disk:Compact Disk: This is an electronic medium for the

promotion and education of Precision Ag information. Meanwhile, it is of great value for interactive learning.

Internet: Internet: In the modern era, the Internet plays a

increasingly crucial role that allows the electronic dissemination massively. In terms of cost, learning style, and timely publication, admittedly, it can be the perfect fit. These will make itself a primary approach for Precision Ag promotion.

1. R. B. Ferguson. 2002. Educational resources for Precision Agriculture. Precision Agriculture 3: 359-371.

2. N. R. Kitchen, C. J. Snyder, D. W. Franzen, W. J. Wiebold. 2002. Educational needs of Precision Agriculture. Precision Agriculture 3: 341-351.

3. W. D. McBride, S. G. Daberkow. 2003. Information and the adoption of Precision Farming technologies. Journal of Agribusiness 1: 21-38.

4. A. McBratney, B. Whelan, T. Ancev. 2005. Future directions of Precision Agriculture. Precision Agriculture 6: 7-23.

5. P.C. Robert. 2002. Precision agriculture: a challenge for crop nutrition management. Plant and Soil 247: 143–149.

Thank you all!Thank you all!