Precision Agriculture

Subject

• Definition of Precision Agriculture
• Precision Agriculture tools:

GPS, GIS, Sensors and controllers, meteorological control system on farming land, soil moisture monitoring system and concentration of nutrients in the soil.

• Procedures of Precision Agriculture:

Data collection, spatial analysis, interpretation of results and decision making.

• Geodetic concepts and mapping principles
• The importance of mathematics in agriculture
• Data analysis and management tools, interpretive techniques
• Efficiency of Precision Agriculture

Educational Aims

This course syllabus intends to enable students to better understand the processes of collecting, analyzing and intergrading field data by using modern technology applications in order to be used for the efficient use of nutrients and herbicides as well as the precise use of irrigation water.

The main objective of the course is to develop student’s ability to use spatial analysis for decision making in rural farming.

At the end of this course students will be able to:

• Gather knowledge that involves critical understanding of the theories and principles such as Precision Agriculture, spatial variability and subsectors of the farm, crop efficiency, the use of agricultural technology in farm management, the use of global positioning system (GPS), geographic information system (GIS), sensors and controllers as tools for precision farming.
• Develop knowledge-based skills which are required for the further study with a high degree of autonomy.
• Gather knowledge about how tools and techniques of Precision Agriculture, can be applied in decision making.
• Use technology, by combining knowledge and information from natural sciences such as agriculture, biology and soil science, and social sciences such as economics and politics to provide environmental and economic benefits.
• Communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both qualified and non-specialized audiences and work with fellow students to create and present a precise farming plan by using reduced inputs, soil quality indicators, precise use of irrigation water, and eventually to compose and apply a precision agriculture program on farms.

Student Evaluation

Student’s evaluation is mainly based on the final written exams performance given at the end of the semester (70%).

The final exams contain Short Response Questions or Multiple Choice Questions. Solving problems related Precision Agriculture. Presentation of teamwork (30%). Delivering written works and public -presentation by Working Groups.

Bibliography

• ΣΠΥΡΙΔΩΝ ΦΟΥΝΤΑΣ (2016), Γεωργία Ακριβείας, Εκδόσεις: Ελληνικά Ακαδημαϊκά Ηλεκτρονικά Συγγράμματα και Βοηθήματα - Αποθετήριο "Κάλλιπος", Ηλεκτρονικό Βιβλίο, ISBN: 978-960-603-135-9, (in Greek). Κωδικός Βιβλίου στον Εύδοξο: 320235
• Terry Brase (2009) Γεωργία Ακριβείας, Εκδόσεις: ΕΜΒΡΥΟ ΕΜΠΟΡΙΚΗ ΕΚΔΟΤΙΚΗ ΜΟΝ. ΙΚΕ, ISBN: 978-960-8002-48-7, (in Greek). Κωδικός Βιβλίου στον Εύδοξο: 86200389.