pcplantdb

[neshura <neshura@gmail.com>]

ButterflyNet technology might be useful for this; it's the beginnings
of a tool for contextual logging out in the field. Just saw the link a
day or two ago on Worldchanging.
http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/003827.html

On 12/7/05, Lawrence F. London, Jr. <lfl@intrex.net> wrote:
>
> We discussed at one time promoting PIW as an agricultural planning tool. 
> Stephanie expressed interest in getting a SARE
> grant to develop this concept. My thoughts were about using GIS technology 
> to log on-farm input by farmers. Planning
> would involve using PIW data to help decide and manage cropping schemes and 
> schedules. I found this info on precision
> farming in the Wikipedia. It lists uses of GIS in logging site data for 
> analysis and future planning and adjustment of
> cropping plans for each season.
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precision_farming
>
> Precision farming or precision agriculture is an agricultural concept 
> relying on the existence of in-field variability.
> It requires the use of new technologies, such as global positioning (GPS), 
> sensors, satellites or aerial images, and
> information management tools (GIS) to assess and understand variations. 
> Collected information may be used to more
> precisely evaluate optimum sowing density, estimate fertilizers and other 
> inputs needs, and to more accurately predict
> crop yields. Application of precision farming concepts is usually 
> considered related to sustainable agriculture. It
> seeks to avoid applying same practices to a crop, regardless of local 
> soil/climate conditions and may help to better
> assess local situations of disease or lodging.
>
> Precision farming may be used to improve a field or a farm management from 
> several perspectives :
>
>      * agronomical perspective : adjustment of cultural practices to take 
> into account the real needs of the crop rather
> (e.g., better fertilization management)
>      * technical perspective : better time management at the farm level 
> (e.g. planification of agricultural activity)
>      * environnemental perspective : reduction of agricultural impacts 
> (better estimation of crop nitrogen needs
> implying limitation of nitrogen run-off)
>      * economical perspective : increase of the output and/or reduction of 
> the input, increase of efficiency (e.g.;
> lower cost of nitrogen fertilization practice)
>
> Other benefits for the farmer may be to help him set an history of his/her 
> farm practices and results, to help him in
> his decision making and traceability requirements (as increasingly required 
> in developed countries).
>
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