A) INTRODUCTIONGeographic Information System (GIS) is an important tool in agriculture and has essential use in field management. Precision farming techniques provide better management tools to increase the yield as well as reduce inputs and minimize the environmental impacts. This research develops a Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS) for field crops management. The targeted users are farm managers and farmer representatives of each block in Sawah Sempadan. It helps to reduce the environmental hazards and potentialfacilitates the global food security. The system has been implemented in Malaysia for paddy fields.

Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia; Tel : +603- 8946 6414Email : rashid@eng.upm.edu.my

Associate Prof. Dr. Abdul Rashid Mohamed Shariff, Prof. Ir. Dr. Mohd. Amin Mohd. Soom, Associate Prof. Dr. Anuar Abdul Rahim, Mr. Fauzul Azhan Bin Abdul AzizMr. Ebrahim Jahanshiri, Ms. Nik Norasma Che’ Ya

B) UNIQUENESS PRECISION FARMER system enables optimum use of inputs. Right amount at right location. The system is convenient to be used for semi-literate farmers and managers as it uses local language. The system is easily adoptable for other types of grains. System portability and scalability, from manual farming to high-end mechanization. It reduces the run-offs of fertilizer and chemicals to the environment.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTThanks to Malaysia Remote Sensing Agency, Department of Agriculture, IADA Barat Laut Selangor, BPSP, DID, MARDI, and all researchers in the Precision Farming project from Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department and ITMA, Spatial Research Group UPM for cooperation in this project.

PRECISION FARMER (Version 1.5)

C) METHODOLOGYThe system was developed using Visual Basic, MapObjects and ArcGIS Desktop and its extensions. This system modeled grain cultivation and fertilizer management to produce the fertilizer recommendation maps. The system enables user friendly database queries. The system was field tested and the following data were collected :- Leaf Colors Chart (LCC) are used to determine the contents of Nitrogen based on the color of leaves, to be used by farmers (Picture A). Chlorophyll Meter is used to identify the contents of nitrogen in the leaves, to be used by the managers (Picture B). Irrigation Management Information System is used to monitor irrigation. This system is suggested to be used by Water Engineers (Picture C). Electrical conductivity (EC) sensor are used to collect the soil EC (Picture D).

D) OUTPUTFigure 2 shows the user interface of the system to create the fertilizer recommendation maps of Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K). This system has modules for mapping, water management, pest/diseases control, work schedule, chlorophyll and records management. Based on these maps, the users can apply the correct amount of fertilizer at the right locations.These maps rely not only on GPS coordinates but can be used with local plot reference markers. Thus, it can be used with both high level technologies or low level manual system.

Commercialization Contact :

DirectorInnovation and Commercialization (ICC)Universiti Putra Malaysia43400 UPM Serdang,Selangor, MalaysiaTel : +603-89471286 / +60389471287Email: komersil@icc.upm.edu.myEmail: rashid@eng.upm.edu.myFax: +603- 8946 6425

E) CommercializationTechnology transfer of this system has already been successfully carried out in Malaysia. Based on this experience, there is great potential for its commercialization in other parts of the world. This potential is enhanced due to the local language support coupled with the easy usage of the system. The target users of the system are farmers, farm managers, extension workers, government and non-government agencies.

Nitrogen application map calculated from Chlorophyll Meter, 21-25 days after transplanting for season 1/2007.

Fertilizer application map from EC for season 1/2007.

Figure 2

Figure 1

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