Artificial Intelligence for Precision Agriculture

Precision agriculture is a next-generation farming management concept that optimizes resource use, productivity, quality, profitability, and sustainability by observing and responding to crop variability. Precision agriculture employs digital technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), 5G communication, cybersecurity, edge computing, cloud-native principles, and blockchain to ensure crops and soil receive exactly what they need for optimal health and productivity.

Artificial Intelligence for Precision Agriculture explores the latest developments in precision agriculture, detailing how AI contributes to its goals. The book discusses how precision agriculture solutions use IoT devices, data storage, AI analytics, connectivity, and cloud infrastructures to analyze factors such as soil type, terrain, weather, plant growth, and yield data. It also examines edge technologies―sensors, microchips, beacons, RFID tags, robots, drones, and actuators―that collect field data and transmit it to cloud-based AI platforms for analysis. The book shows how AI-driven insights guide actions in the field, such as crop rotation, optimal planting and harvesting times, and soil management, and help farmers apply the right amounts of water, fertilizers, and pesticides, reducing waste and environmental impact. Applications covered in the book include:

• Drone-based high-resolution field mapping
• Tracking crops
• Crop yield assessments
• Data collection for irrigation, fertilization, and crop management
• Advanced weather monitoring
• Equipment management

With chapters on AI model development, plant disease detection and remediation, sustainable farming techniques, data integration, AI-enabled data analytics, and knowledge visualization, this book is a comprehensive guide to technologies and applications in precision agriculture.

Pethuru Raj Chellah is the chief architect at Edge AI Division, Reliance Jio Platforms Ltd. (JPL), Bangalore, India.

N.Gayathri is an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at GITAM University, Bengaluru, India.

G. Jaspher Willsie Kathrine, is an associate professor, and programme oordinator - CSE at the Department of Computing Science and Engineering, Kayruna Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore, India.