The secret behind minimum till and zero till using GPS Technology
Many times, farmers confuse zero tillage and minimum tillage. The difference is actually a very thin line. To begin with, minimum tillage and zero tillage both uphold the concept of ensuring that soil structure and composition experience the least disturbance. This is probably one of the reasons why both methods are sometimes twined.
Although they both fall on the common spectrum of precision agriculture, there are some notable differences between minimum tillage and zero tillage practices. Since the advent of the Agrarian Revolution, the practices have slowly evolved with time from the ancient bush clearing and burning as well as the broadcasting methods of planting to the modern use of precision planting technologies.
All these are possible through the use of GPS ( Global Positioning System ) in agriculture. Minimum tillage is a type of conservation agriculture where soil disturbance is aimed at achieving a good seedbed.
Minimum tillage can be in the form of -;
Zero tillage on the other hand is a type of agriculture where planting is done by opening narrow slots /trenches sufficient for proper seeding. Weeds in zero till are majorly controlled by the precision application of chemicals through the use of GPS Auto Steering.
So why are serious farmers moving towards conservation agriculture? This is a question that has bothered farmers worldwide. In conservation agriculture; and by conservation agriculture I mean zero till and minimum tillage, farmers minimize disturbance to the natural structure of soil or only disturb the structure of soil at the exact location where planting will be done.
The secret behind minimum till and zero till using GPS Technology
Extensive research has shown that conservation agriculture improves soil decomposition by more than 60%. Moreover, the largest soil compaction reduction has been majorly realized by the use of minimum or zero till practices.
As much as minimum/zero till play a big role in precision agriculture, it must be noted that the biggest results have been achieved through the infusion of GPS technology in precision Agriculture. Through the introduction of Gps based Auto Steering, precise planting has been achieved by use of GPS-based precision planters.Â
Big stakeholders such as Massey Ferguson and Johndeere have developed OEM implements that have revolutionized the world of conservation agriculture.
As much as GPS is an add-on to the realization of conservation agriculture, it has largely been considered the backbone of its success. Precision agriculture solely depends on GPS and conservation agriculture largely depends on precision agriculture, therefore, GPS technology in agriculture is considered as the backbone of conservation agriculture.
