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Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographical Information System (GIS) As A Powerful Tool For Agriculture Applications: Efficiency and Capability in Agricultural Crop Management
Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographical Information System (GIS) As A Powerful Tool For Agriculture Applications: Efficiency and Capability in Agricultural Crop Management
ISSN No:-2456-2165
1
Nitin Liladhar Rane
2
Monica Giduturi
3
Saurabh P. Choudhary
4
Chaitanya Baliram Pande
1,2,3
Vivekanand Education Society's College of Architecture (VESCOA)
Mumbai, India
4
Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune 411008, India Institute of Energy Infrastructure, University Tenaga Nasional,
Kajang 43000, Malaysia, New Era and Development in Civil Engineering Research Group, Scientific Research Center, Al-Ayen
University, Thi-Qar, Nasiriyah, 64001, Iraq
DOI:- https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7845187
Abstract:- The agriculture industry has encountered Keywords:- Remote Sensing (RS); Geographical
several challenges in recent years, including population Information System (GIS); Crop Yield; Irrigation; Crop
growth, resource scarcity, and climate change. In Growth Assessment; Crop Health Monitoring.
response, new technologies have been developed to
enhance agricultural productivity, sustainability, and I. INTRODUCTION
efficiency. Among these technologies, RS and GIS have
gained significant attention due to their potential to Agriculture is a crucial sector in the global economy,
transform agriculture. RS involves using satellite playing an indispensable role in food security and economic
imagery to collect data on various agricultural development [1-5]. The agricultural industry faces the
parameters such as crop health, moisture content, and challenge of producing higher yields and better-quality
vegetation indices. GIS is a computer-based system that crops while minimizing environmental impact.
allows for the integration and analysis of different Technological advancements have given rise to remote
spatial data sources. The combination of RS and GIS sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) as
presents a potent tool for managing agricultural crops powerful tools in agriculture applications. These tools
by providing accurate and timely crop management provide farmers with essential spatial and temporal
plans. The objective of this research paper is to information on crop growth, soil moisture, plant health, and
investigate the potential of remote sensing (RS) and other significant parameters, allowing them to make
geographical information system (GIS) as effective tools informed decisions.
for managing agricultural crops. A thorough literature
review and case studies were conducted on various Remote sensing involves the use of sensors mounted
crops, including wheat, maize, rice, and sugarcane. The on aircraft or satellites to gather information about the
study findings illustrate the diverse advantages of Earth's surface from a distance. The data collected from RS
utilizing RS and GIS in agriculture, such as enhanced enables the monitoring of changes in the Earth's surface,
crop yield estimation, monitoring, soil moisture including land use, vegetation, water bodies, and other
mapping, and damage assessment. The significance of environmental parameters. On the other hand, GIS is a
integrating RS and GIS in agriculture is emphasized, as computer-based system that enables the capture, storage,
it can lead to sustainable and efficient crop management manipulation, and analysis of spatial data. Integrating RS
practices. The research results highlight the need for the and GIS provides a powerful platform for analyzing and
agriculture industry, policymakers, and researchers to managing agricultural data [6,7].
utilize advanced technologies like RS and GIS to
improve crop management practices. In recent years, RS and GIS have been widely utilized
in agriculture applications such as crop monitoring, yield
prediction, soil mapping, and precision agriculture. These
RS and GIS are valuable tools for monitoring Evapotranspiration comprises two components:
vegetation cover and detecting changes over time. They can evaporation and transpiration. Evaporation is the process
create land cover maps, vegetation indices, and models that where water is converted from liquid to vapor, while
predict future changes in vegetation cover [4,6]. However, transpiration involves the absorption of water by the plant's
their usefulness depends on accurate ground-truth data and roots, which is then released into the atmosphere through
high-quality RS data. As vegetation cover monitoring the leaves. The amount of water required for ET varies
becomes increasingly important, advances in RS and GIS depending on factors such as crop type, climate, and soil.
technology will likely improve the accuracy and The commonly used method to estimate ET is the Penman-
effectiveness of these tools. Monteith equation, which considers several parameters,
RS involves the acquisition of information about the Crop yield and production forecasting is an essential
earth's surface using sensors located on aircraft or satellites. component of agriculture as it aids in making informed
It is an effective tool for estimating ET as it provides decisions regarding crop management and food security.
information on various variables, including temperature, Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information Systems
vegetation cover, and soil moisture. The data acquired (GIS) have emerged as powerful tools in this regard. This
through RS can be used to create maps that display the essay delves into the basics of RS and GIS, their
spatial distribution of these variables, which can then be applications in crop yield and production forecasting, as
used to estimate ET. GIS is a computer-based system used well as the challenges and limitations associated with these
to store, analyze, and manipulate spatial data. It can be used technologies [22-24].
in combination with RS to create maps and models that can
estimate ET. GIS provides a framework for organizing and RS is the science of gathering information about the
analyzing spatial data, and it can integrate data from various Earth's surface using sensors on aircraft or satellites. RS
sources, including RS, climate data, and soil data. data comes in the form of digital maps or images and
provides information on various aspects of the Earth's
There are various methods for estimating ET using RS surface, such as land use, vegetation cover, and soil
and GIS. The commonly used methods are the energy characteristics [27]. Passive sensors are commonly used in
balance approach and the vegetation index approach. The RS, which record the energy emitted or reflected by the
energy balance approach utilizes RS data to estimate the net Earth's surface, such as infrared radiation, visible light, and
radiation and sensible heat flux at the earth's surface. The microwave radiation. The information obtained by RS can
latent heat flux can then be estimated as the residual be processed and analyzed using different software tools
between the net radiation and the sensible heat flux. The and techniques.
vegetation index approach uses RS data to estimate the
vegetation cover and the vegetation index, which measures GIS is a computer-based system that allows for the
the vegetation's health and vigor. The vegetation index can storage, manipulation, analysis, and visualization of
then be used to estimate the amount of transpiration. geospatial data, such as RS data. GIS brings together
hardware, software, and data to provide users with powerful
The energy balance approach is a more complex tools for spatial analysis and decision-making. GIS can
method that requires detailed information on the soil and overlay various layers of geospatial data, such as RS data
vegetation characteristics. It demands various RS data, and soil data, to identify patterns and relationships that
including surface temperature, albedo, and vegetation cover. would be challenging to identify using conventional
It also requires information on the soil type and vegetation methods.
type. The energy balance approach is a time-consuming
process that requires a high level of expertise. On the other Crop yield and production forecasting using RS and
hand, the vegetation index approach is a simpler method GIS involves integrating RS data, GIS data, and crop
based on the relationship between vegetation cover and models to estimate crop yields and production. Crop models
transpiration. The method requires RS data, including the are mathematical models that simulate the growth and
normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), which is a development of crops based on environmental conditions,
measure of the vegetation's health and vigor. The method such as temperature, precipitation, and soil characteristics.
assumes that the NDVI is proportional to the transpiration By combining RS data, GIS data, and crop models, it is
rate and utilizes this relationship to estimate the ET. possible to estimate crop yields and production at different
scales, ranging from field-level to regional and national
RS and GIS are powerful tools for estimating Crop levels.
Evapotranspiration (ET). The commonly used methods for
estimating ET are the energy balance approach and the The use of RS and GIS in crop yield and production
vegetation index approach. The energy balance approach is forecasting has numerous advantages over conventional
a more complex and time-consuming method that demands methods. Firstly, RS data can be acquired quickly and at a
detailed information on the soil and vegetation lower cost compared to traditional methods, such as ground
characteristics, while the vegetation index approach is surveys. RS data can also cover more extensive areas,
simpler and based on the relationship between vegetation making it possible to estimate crop yields and production at
cover and transpiration. Accurate estimation of ET is crucial regional and national scales. Secondly, GIS provides
for effective irrigation management, water resources powerful tools for data integration and analysis, allowing for
management, and crop planning. the overlay of different layers of geospatial data to identify
patterns and relationships that would be difficult to see
using traditional methods. Thirdly, crop models can
simulate the growth and development of crops under
different environmental conditions, allowing for the
estimation of crop yields and production under varying
scenarios.
Another application of RS and GIS in crop yield and Precision planting: GIS can create planting maps based
production forecasting is the identification of areas with on soil type, topography, and climate, allowing farmers
high crop yield potential. This method involves the use of to optimize the placement and spacing of crops,
RS data, such as satellite imagery and soil moisture data, resulting in higher yields and lower input costs.
and GIS data, such as soil maps and land use maps, to
identify areas with favorable environmental conditions for Irrigation management: RS can provide information on
crop growth. This information can guide the selection of soil moisture content, crop water stress, and other
crop varieties and optimize crop management practices, factors affecting irrigation requirements. GIS can be
such as irrigation and fertilization. used to create irrigation maps that factor in these
elements, enabling farmers to optimize water usage and
VIII. PRECISION AGRICULTURE reduce expenses.
Modern farming has been revolutionized by precision Yield estimation: Using RS, crop yields can be
agriculture, Remote Sensing (RS), and Geographic estimated by analyzing plant density, biomass, and
Information Systems (GIS). Precision agriculture, also chlorophyll content. GIS can create yield maps that
known as precision farming or site-specific agriculture, is an provide a spatial representation of crop yields, allowing
approach to crop management that leverages technology to farmers to identify areas that require further
optimize farming practices. To achieve this, precision investigation and optimization.
agriculture involves the use of tools such as RS and GIS to
analyze, map, and manage crop fields, soil, and other Soil mapping and analysis: GIS can create detailed soil
agricultural inputs. This article aims to explore the concept maps, taking into account soil texture, pH, and nutrient
of precision agriculture, the role of RS and GIS in it, as well content, among other factors. This data can be used to
as its challenges and benefits. optimize fertilizer application rates, reduce nutrient
runoff, and enhance soil health.
Precision agriculture has gained increasing popularity
in recent years, driven by the goal of increasing agricultural Pest and disease management: RS can detect pest and
productivity, reducing costs, and minimizing environmental disease outbreaks early on, enabling farmers to take
impacts. Its core principle is to apply inputs in the right targeted action to control them. GIS can create pest and
amount, at the right time, in the right location, and with the disease maps that provide a spatial representation of the
right method. This requires farmers to collect and analyze issue, helping farmers to intervene more effectively.
extensive data about their fields and crops, such as soil
properties, weather conditions, and crop growth patterns. RS and GIS provide a plethora of information to
Based on this information, farmers can make informed farmers and researchers, enabling them to enhance crop
decisions about planting, irrigation, fertilization, and yields, reduce input costs, and minimize agriculture's
harvesting. environmental impact. By combining these tools with
traditional farming practices, farmers can make more
One of the main advantages of precision agriculture is informed decisions and achieve better outcomes.
its ability to tailor farming practices to the specific needs of
individual crops and fields. By applying inputs more IX. REMOTE SENSING APPLICATIONS IN
accurately, farmers can increase yields while minimizing AGRICULTURE FOR FOOD SECURITY
waste and reducing the risk of environmental damage.
Moreover, precision agriculture allows farmers to monitor Remote sensing involves the use of various
their fields in real-time and make adjustments as necessary, techniques, such as satellite imagery and aerial photography,
thanks to the use of RS and GIS technologies. to collect environmental information from a distance.
Within agriculture, this technology has proven to be
Precision agriculture benefits greatly from the use of beneficial in monitoring crops, predicting yields, and
remote sensing (RS) and geographic information systems enhancing food security. In this response, we will explore
(GIS), which enable farmers and researchers to collect, different remote sensing applications in agriculture, which
analyze, and interpret spatial data to enhance crop yields, contribute to food security. Crop monitoring is an essential
The quantification of irrigation water using RS and XIII. CROP HEALTH MONITORING
GIS is a powerful tool for optimizing irrigation practices,
reducing water waste, and conserving water resources. This Crop health monitoring is an essential aspect of
technology has the potential to revolutionize the way we modern agriculture, as it allows farmers to optimize crop
manage water resources in the future, especially in the face yields while minimizing the use of resources such as water,
of climate change, population growth, and water scarcity. fertilizer, and pesticides. Remote sensing (RS) and
geographic information systems (GIS) are powerful tools
XII. AGRICULTURAL LAND USE MONITORING that can be used to monitor crop health and provide insights
to farmers for better decision making.
Agricultural Land Use Monitoring is the process of
observing and analyzing changes in agricultural land cover The process of crop health monitoring using RS and
over time. The integration of Remote Sensing (RS) and GIS involves several steps. The first step is data acquisition,
Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies can where satellite imagery is collected using high-resolution
greatly facilitate this process, providing accurate and up-to- multispectral or hyperspectral sensors. These images capture
date information on agricultural land use patterns and their the reflectance of different wavelengths of light, which can
changes. RS provides an effective and efficient method for be used to identify different features on the ground,
monitoring land use change, while GIS is a powerful tool including crops.
for managing and analyzing spatial data.
The second step is preprocessing, where the satellite
The following steps are involved in Agricultural Land images are processed to remove any noise or artifacts.
Use Monitoring using RS and GIS: Preprocessing includes geometric correction, atmospheric
correction, and radiometric correction, which ensure that the
Data Collection: images accurately represent the ground features.
Collecting RS data from sources such as satellites,
drones, and airplanes, and GIS data from various sources The third step is image analysis, where the images are
such as government agencies, NGOs, and private analyzed using different spectral indices, such as the
companies. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), the Soil
Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI), and the Enhanced
Preprocessing of RS Data: Vegetation Index (EVI). These indices help to determine the
The RS data needs to be preprocessed, which includes health and vigor of the crops by measuring the reflectance
the removal of atmospheric and other interference, image of vegetation in different wavelengths.
enhancement, and image registration.
In the fourth step, the processed and analyzed data is
Classification of RS Data: integrated into a GIS software to create detailed maps that
The RS data is classified into different land use depict the spatial variability of crop health. These maps can
categories, such as croplands, pasturelands, and forests be used to identify areas that require attention, such as
using classification algorithms. irrigation or fertilization, and to make decisions about crop
management.
Validation of RS Data:
The accuracy of the RS data is validated using ground Finally, the results of the analysis can be
truth data obtained through field surveys. communicated to farmers using various tools such as mobile
applications, dashboards, or reports. This allows farmers to
make informed decisions about their crops, which can lead
EVI accounts for the contribution of blue wavelengths by their sum. High NDVI values indicate healthy vegetation,
to vegetation reflectance and reduces the impact of while low values suggest bare soil or water. NDVI has been
atmospheric conditions and background reflectance. SAVI widely used to monitor vegetation changes, crop yields, and
adjusts for soil reflectance effects and can estimate land cover changes. However, NDVI has some limitations.
vegetation parameters in areas with high soil backgrounds. It saturates at high vegetation densities and does not account
GNDVI uses the green band of the electromagnetic for variations in background reflectance, atmospheric
spectrum, which is sensitive to chlorophyll content, and effects, and soil moisture. To overcome these limitations,
provides better estimates of vegetation health in areas with several other RSVI have been developed in recent years.
low biomass.
XV. CONCLUSIONS
The development of RSVI has facilitated the global
mapping of vegetation cover and monitoring of changes in Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographical Information
vegetation phenology, which refers to the seasonal patterns System (GIS) have emerged as robust tools in agriculture,
of vegetation growth, such as leaf emergence, flowering, particularly in crop management. The effectiveness and
and senescence. Remote sensing data, combined with RSVI, potential of these techniques have been substantiated by
can be used to monitor changes in vegetation phenology and various studies, demonstrating their ability to provide
assess the impact of climate change on vegetation growth precise and timely information to enhance crop yields,
patterns. reduce expenses, and mitigate hazards. Remote sensing
methods, such as satellite imagery and aerial photography,
RSVI has become an indispensable tool for monitoring have been instrumental in monitoring crop growth,
and evaluating vegetation parameters, and recent advances identifying crop stress, and estimating yield. This has
have led to more precise estimates of vegetation health and enabled farmers to make informed decisions related to
productivity. Further development and application of RSVI irrigation, fertilization, and pest management, resulting in
are likely to significantly enhance our understanding of better quality crops and increased yields.
ecosystem dynamics and their responses to environmental
changes, including climate change. Similarly, GIS has been used in agriculture to manage
and analyze spatial data, creating detailed maps of farm
RSVI is based on the principle that plants reflect and fields, monitoring crop growth, and identifying areas of crop
absorb different wavelengths of light, which depend on their stress. This has facilitated the development of precision
structure, pigments, and physiological conditions. Remote agriculture methods, where inputs can be applied only where
sensors measure these spectral reflectance patterns, and necessary, reducing costs and minimizing environmental
RSVI algorithms estimate vegetation properties. The impact.
Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI),
developed in the 1970s, is one of the earliest and most Despite the advantages of RS and GIS in agriculture,
widely used RSVI. NDVI is calculated by dividing the certain challenges need to be addressed, such as the high
difference between near-infrared (NIR) and red reflectance cost of data acquisition and processing, the requirement for