This comprehensive book explores the integration of advanced technologies in modern agriculture, focusing on geo-informatics and precision farming as transformative tools for sustainable crop production. It is structured into seven thematic modules that collectively build a foundational and applied understanding of remote sensing, GIS, GPS, crop simulation, nanotechnology, and precision agriculture. The journey begins with an introduction to remote sensing, explaining the principles and practical applications of satellite and aerial data in agriculture. The second module covers aerial photography and photogrammetry, teaching the reader how to interpret images for land use, crop health, and topographic analysis. The third module dives into Geographic Information Systems (GIS), emphasizing how spatial data can be used to map, analyze, and manage agricultural fields. It is followed by a detailed explanation of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, showcasing its role in site-specific farming operations, field boundary mapping, and yield monitoring. Crop simulation models are introduced next, helping predict crop performance under various environmental and management scenarios. Special attention is given to the Soil Test Crop Response (STCR) approach for optimizing input use and enhancing productivity. The book also explores the cutting-edge field of nanotechnology in agriculture, detailing the applications of nano-fertilizers, nano-pesticides, and nano-sensors in improving input efficiency and environmental safety. The final module ties together the earlier concepts with a deep dive into precision farming, covering its techniques, challenges, and relevance in the Indian agricultural context. It includes chapters on crop discrimination, yield monitoring, soil mapping, erosion estimation, and the broader use of geo spatial technologies in agriculture. Altogether, this book serves as a forward-looking guide for students, researchers, extension workers, and policy-makers keen to adopt data-driven and technology-enabled solutions for modern farming. It highlights how geo informatics and precision tools are not just innovations but necessities for the future of global food security.
Ms. Kawaljeet Kaur is currently pursuing a degree in Environmental Science at Leeds Beckett University, UK (2024). She has served as an Officer at Lovely Professional University, Phagwara (2023), and has been working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Agriculture at CT Group of Institutions, Jalandhar, since 2019, teaching undergraduate students. She holds a B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture (2017) and an M.Sc. in Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry (2019) from Lovely Professional University. In addition to teaching, she is an Editor for Nature Science e-magazine and other agricultural publications, and has also worked as a Managing Editor for newsletters. Her contributions include mentoring students globally, assisting with dissertations, and publishing research papers, review articles, popular articles, books, and book chapters in national and international forums. She has participated in various academic conferences, webinars, and certification programs, and has received awards, such as Young Scientist and Young Soil Scientist for her contributions to the field.
Dr. Subhash Chand is a distinguished Professor of Soil Science at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K). Holding a Ph.D. in Soil Science, his contributions to the field are noteworthy, particularly through his authored and co authored books. These publications cover a wide spectrum of soil science, catering to students, researchers, and professionals alike. Here's a glimpse into some of his books: • Soil Science: A Competitive Approach (2024): This book is designed for those preparing for competitive exams in soil science, offering a comprehensive yet focused approach to the subject. • Soil Science an Extension Perspective (2025): Co-authored with Sanjay Kumar Raina, this book bridges the gap between soil science principles and their practical application in agricultural extension, aiming to empower farmers and extension professionals. • Environmental Science and Soil Ecology: A Glossary (2024): Co authored with others, this book provides a readily accessible compilation of key terms and definitions in environmental science and soil ecology. Terminology of Soil Fertility, Fertilizer and Organics (2014, 2021): This book serves as a valuable resource for understanding the technical vocabulary related to soil fertility, fertilizers, and organic materials. It is helpful for students and researchers in agricultural sciences. • Organic Farming Concepts, Application and Advances (2021): Co authored with Sartaj A. Wani, this book delves into the principles, practices, benefits, and limitations of organic farming, along with recent advancements in the field. • Dictionary of Soil Science (2007): This dictionary provides concise definitions of approximately 750 terms encompassing various aspects of soil science, including contemporary concepts like integrated plant nutrient systems, organic farming, and precision agriculture. • Integrated Nutrient Management For Sustaining Crop Productivity and Soil Health (2008, 2024): This book explores strategies for integrated nutrient management to enhance crop productivity while maintaining soil health. It offers practical options for various crops and cropping systems. • Sustainable Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Change (2017): Co authored with Lal Singh and Parmeet Singh, this book addresses the critical nexus of sustainable agriculture, food security, and the challenges posed by climate change. • Questions Bank on Soil Science and GK for Competitive Exams (2023): This book provides a collection of questions on soil science and general knowledge, specifically designed to assist aspirants of various competitive examinations in agriculture. Through these books, Dr. Chand demonstrates his commitment to disseminating knowledge and fostering a deeper understanding of soil science and its crucial role in agriculture and environmental sustainability. His works serve as valuable resources for the academic community and practitioners in the field.Based on recent information, Dr. Subhash Chand has authored a book titled Natural Farming - A Rising Concept. This appears to be a more recent publication than some of his other works I previously mentioned.This book likely delves specifically into the principles, practices, and growing relevance of natural farming. Given Dr. Chand's background in soil science and his previous work on organic farming, this book would likely offer a scientifically informed perspective on this increasingly important agricultural approach. In summary, Natural Farming - A Rising Concept by Dr. Subhash Chand appears to be a dedicated exploration of this significant agricultural trend, likely offering valuable insights based on his expertise in soil science. If you are particularly interested in natural farming, this book would be a direct and relevant resource.Dr. Subhash Chand is a Co-author of the book Sustainable Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Change, published in 2012 by Daya Publishing House. While the title doesn't explicitly focus solely on the "Impact of Climate Change on Global Agriculture," the interconnectedness of these issues means the book likely delves significantly into this crucial area. Therefore, while not solely focused on the "Impact of Climate Change on Global Agriculture," Sustainable Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Change likely provides a comprehensive analysis of this critical issue within the broader context of agricultural sustainability and food security in a changing world. Besides global contribution to the sustainable agriculture, food security and climate change, regenerative agriculture, organic farming, presented research papers at Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany. Invited to present paper at Wisconsin, Madison and in EUROSOILS 2025 at Spain. Attended several courses on Climate Change and Carbon Trading at Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal Precision Agriculture at Water Technology Center, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi Agriculture Extension Management System at NAARM, Hyderabad. Co-Chaired technical sessions at RARI-Durgapura,Jaipur and in International Conference on Cooling Earth Tectice for global warming GBPUAT,Pantnagar, Guided 7 M.Sc. and 3 Ph.Ds students for masters and doctoral research as Chairman of the Research Commette. He has been Councillor-North for ISSS & LUP-Nagpur while elected member for Indian association of Soil and Water Conservationist, Dehradun.
Dr. Surbhi Singh is presently working as an Assistant Professor (Research) at Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. She obtained her Ph.D. in 2025 from Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur (Raj.), India and MTech from National Institute of Technology, Hamirpur (H.P.), India in Material Science and Engineering. Her research interests include development of innovative hybrid nanomaterials for electronic devices, biosensing, wearable flexible sensors and enzyme mimicking applications. Her work has led to discovering new material properties, novel synthesis methods, or enhanced material performance. She has contributed to a deeper understanding of material behaviour and properties, helping to bridge knowledge gaps, or developing innovative solutions to real-world challenges. She authored several peer reviewed articles in leading journals in nanomaterials technology, with a focus on green synthesis methods-based hybrid materials, device fabrication, and applications of materials in enzyme mimicking as well as biosensing. She also processed patents in areas related to wearable flexible electronics demonstrating a commitment to bridging research and real-world applications. She also worked on industry-relevant projects, contributing solutions to real world engineering challenges. She has pioneered interdisciplinary research at the convergence of materials science and electronics, specifically focusing on creating novel semi-conducting materials, developing electronic devices with advanced materials, or integrating flexible electronics with new substrates. As a mentor to younger researchers, she actively guided master’s and Ph.D. students through their research, particularly in areas related to nanomaterials synthesis and applications. Several of these students have gone on to contribute to industry and academia. Collaborated with leading researchers in nanomaterials and participated in cross-disciplinary research projects, furthering the application of materia lsscience in catalysis, electronics, and healthcare. She has also received many awards,fellowships, or honors during her academic and research career. She also contributed as Invited speaker and presenter at prestigious conferences and workshops on materials science and electronics, sharing her latest research with the global scientific community.
Dr. Rishi Richa (B.Tech., M.Tech., Ph.D.) is an Assistant Professor-cum-Junior Scientist in College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Srinagar, India. She has 6 years of experience. During her Ph.D., she has been awarded with the TEQIP-II fellowship and completed two months training at EPLEFPA de Périgueux, France under Indo- France Academic Exchange program in Food and Meat Processing, 2016. She has also received 07 awards including the Vice Chancellor Medal in 2011 and received two for machine design. She has more than 52 publications including research and review papers, articles, manual and books. She has organized MSME training, funded by Government of India. She has handled 02 research projects as a Principal Investigator. Her research areas are Ohmic heating, microwave heating, drying & dehydration, storage, packaging optimization and mathematical modelling, food waste utilization, bioethanol production, citrus and apple fruit.
Govind Kumar Kapuriya is an M.Sc. Research Scholar in the Division of Soil Science at SKUAST-Kashmir. He completed his B.Sc. (Agriculture) from HNBGU (Central University), Srinagar, Uttarakhand, and was awarded the HADP scholarship during his M.Sc. program. He has qualified entrance examinations for several prestigious institutions, including SKUAST-K, as well as other reputed state universities for post-graduate studies, such as SKUAST-Jammu, GBPUAT, Pantnagar, and AMU, Aligarh. Currently, he is pursuing research in Soil Microbiology at SKUAST-Kashmir, focusing on the "Dynamics of Phosphate Solubilising Rhizospheric Microflora of Maize (Zea mays L.) Germplasm," under the guidance of Dr. Aziz Mujtaba Aezum. With a strong academic foundation in Soil Science, he has made noteworthy contributions to the field through several publications, including research papers in national and international journals, book chapters, and articles in popular science magazines. His research has earned him accolades and opportunities to present at various national and international conferences, reflecting his dedication to advancing Agricultural Sciences.
MODULE-1 : Introduction and Concepts of Remote Sensing
1 Introduction to Remote Sensing ..............................................................3
2 Remote Sensing Applications .................................................................7
MODULE-2: Fundamentals of Aerial Photography
3 Basic Principles of Photogrammetry .....................................................15
4 Image Processing and Interpretation .....................................................21
MODULE-3: Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
5 Introduction to GIS ...............................................................................43
6 Applications of GIS ...............................................................................55
MODULE-4: Global Positioning System (GPS)
7 Introduction to GPS ...............................................................................69
8 Applications of GPS ..............................................................................79
MODULE-5: Crop Simulation Models
9 Introduction to Crop Simulation ...........................................................85
10 STCR Approach for Precision Agriculture .........................................101
MODULE-6: Nanotechnology
11 Nanotechnology, Definition, Concepts and Techniques ......................107
12 Use of Nanotechnology in Tillage, Seed, Water, Fertilizer, Plant Protection ..................................................................................121
MODULE-7: Precision Farming
13 Precision Agriculture-Concept, Scope and Indian Agriculture ...........129
14 Crop Discrimination and Yield Monitoring ........................................145
MODULE-8: Soil Survey & Mapping
15 Godesy and Its Basic Principles ..........................................................155
16 Soil Mapping and Soil Erosion Estimation .........................................159
17 Geo-Spatial Technology and Its Application in Agriculture ...............175
References ..........................................................................................181
