Transforming Fruit Farming in a hi-tech Way through Remote Sensing: A Review

Author: Dushyant D. Champaneri, Ketan D. Desai, Timur R. Ahlawat and Nirav K. Pampaniya

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Abstract

Horticulture has emerged out as one of the potential agricultural enterprises in accelerating the economic growth. Its role in country's food and nutritional security, poverty alleviation and employment generation programmes is very crucial. Fruit crops are imperative part with its maximum production share in horticultural sector. These crops being capital as well as labour intensive, it is a wise step to use modern technologies for the development of fruit orchards and its true production potential. Remote sensing is a modern tool that can be an effective technology for site specific crop management in present time. Remote sensing is the process of acquiring data or information about objects or substances not in direct contact with the sensor by gathering its inputs using electromagnetic radiation that emanate from the targets of interest. These involves sensing and recording reflected or emitted energy and processing, analysing and applying that information for interpretations. Remote sensing can provide pivotal database for predicting important parameters using various models and tools which can be helpful to maintain potential yield of fruit crops. Careful consideration of sensors, platforms, vegetation indices, models and many other technicalities can make application of RS in fruit crops more effective and reliable. Here, an attempt has been made to address the gap in the use of remote sensing in Indian fruit farming and to offer potential solutions.

Keywords

Crop classification, crop identification, diseases detection, insect-pest infestation estimation, nutrient content estimation, UAV based RS-GIS, vegetation indices, yield estimation

Conclusion

Remote sensing can play a vital role in precision fruit farming. This technology can effectively address the challenges of fruit cultivation and play a pivotal role for increment in fruit productivity. Implementation of UAV based hyperspectral remote sensing along with appropriate vegetation indices and artificial intelligence based machine learning analysis can accurately estimate or predict data in the aspects of plant classification, growth, yield, infestation and other parameters which can pave a path for effective farm planning and successful fruit production. Use of remote sensing in fruit farming is highly relatable with particular growing conditions and parameters to be estimated. Precise technical knowledge and accurate handling of all the components in remote sensing along with adequate dataset is necessary for successful application of remote sensing in fruit crops. Furthermore, the positive impact and benefits of remote sensing are more justifiable in large scale and repetitive site specific crop management. Proactive participation as well as financial aid from government and allied sector can promote successful and effective application remote sensing in developing countries. Change of mindset regarding use of latest technologies in agricultural sector along with work in regards to train manpower along and financial support is necessary for easy adoption of technology. Concrete research work and development of productive data base as well as standard crop specific methods in the aspects of remote sensing approach in fruit farming is necessary task for transferring these technologies from lab to land.

References

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How to cite this article

Dushyant D. Champaneri, Ketan D. Desai, Timur R. Ahlawat and Nirav K. Pampaniya (2023). Transforming Fruit Farming in a hi-tech Way through Remote Sensing: A Review. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(2): 333-341.