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Precision for Smallholder Farmers: A Small-Scale-Tailored Variable Rate Fertilizer Application Kit

Author

Listed:
  • Jelle Van Loon

    (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Carretera Mexico-Veracruz km. 45, El Batán, Texcoco C.P. 56237, Estado de Mexico, Mexico)

  • Alicia B. Speratti

    (CIMMYT Consultant, Ramon Turró 120, 08005 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Louis Gabarra

    (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Carretera Mexico-Veracruz km. 45, El Batán, Texcoco C.P. 56237, Estado de Mexico, Mexico)

  • Bram Govaerts

    (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Carretera Mexico-Veracruz km. 45, El Batán, Texcoco C.P. 56237, Estado de Mexico, Mexico)

Abstract

Precision agriculture technology at the hands of smallholder farmers in the developing world is often deemed far-fetched. Low-resource farmers, however, are the most susceptible to negative changes in the environment. Providing these farmers with the right tools to mitigate adversity and to gain greater control of the production process could unlock their potential and support rural communities to meet the increasing global food demand. In this study, a real-time variable rate fertilizer application system was developed and tested as an add-on kit to conventional farm machinery. In the context of low investment costs for smallholder farmers, high user-friendliness and easy installment were the main concerns for the system to be viable. The system used nitrogen (N)-sensors to assess the plant nutrient status on the spot and subsequently adjust the amount of fertilizer deposited according to the plant’s needs. Test bench trials showed that the add-on kit performed well with basic operations, but more precision is required. Variability between N-sensors and metering systems, combined with power fluctuations, created inaccuracies in the resulting application rate. Nevertheless, this work is a stepping stone towards catalyzing the elaboration of more cutting-edge precision solutions to support small-scale farmers to become successful, high producing agro-entrepreneurs.

Suggested Citation

  • Jelle Van Loon & Alicia B. Speratti & Louis Gabarra & Bram Govaerts, 2018. "Precision for Smallholder Farmers: A Small-Scale-Tailored Variable Rate Fertilizer Application Kit," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 8(4), pages 1-14, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:8:y:2018:i:4:p:48-:d:137903
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Egidijus Šarauskis & Vilma Naujokienė & Kristina Lekavičienė & Zita Kriaučiūnienė & Eglė Jotautienė & Algirdas Jasinskas & Raimonda Zinkevičienė, 2021. "Application of Granular and Non-Granular Organic Fertilizers in Terms of Energy, Environmental and Economic Efficiency," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-17, August.
    2. Hasan Mirzakhaninafchi & Manjeet Singh & Anoop Kumar Dixit & Apoorv Prakash & Shikha Sharda & Jugminder Kaur & Ali Mirzakhani Nafchi, 2022. "Performance Assessment of a Sensor-Based Variable-Rate Real-Time Fertilizer Applicator for Rice Crop," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-25, September.
    3. Van Loon, Jelle & Woltering, Lennart & Krupnik, Timothy J. & Baudron, Frédéric & Boa, Maria & Govaerts, Bram, 2020. "Scaling agricultural mechanization services in smallholder farming systems: Case studies from sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Latin America," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).
    4. Hasan Mirzakhaninafchi & Manjeet Singh & Vishal Bector & O. P. Gupta & Rajvir Singh, 2021. "Design and Development of a Variable Rate Applicator for Real-Time Application of Fertilizer," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-16, August.
    5. Mohammad Nishat Akhtar & Emaad Ansari & Syed Sahal Nazli Alhady & Elmi Abu Bakar, 2023. "Leveraging on Advanced Remote Sensing- and Artificial Intelligence-Based Technologies to Manage Palm Oil Plantation for Current Global Scenario: A Review," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-26, February.
    6. Veronica Sanda Chedea & Ana-Maria Drăgulinescu & Liliana Lucia Tomoiagă & Cristina Bălăceanu & Maria Lucia Iliescu, 2021. "Climate Change and Internet of Things Technologies—Sustainable Premises of Extending the Culture of the Amurg Cultivar in Transylvania—A Use Case for Târnave Vineyard," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-28, July.

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