ASABE Technical Library - Abstract
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Precision Organic Farming
Published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan www.asabe.org
Citation: Paper number 031089, 2003 ASAE Annual Meeting . (doi: 10.13031/2013.15391)Authors: Hannu E. S. Haapala
Keywords: Precision Farming, Organic Farming, controllability
In organic farming the natural basic variation affects more the output of the
system than in conventional farming. The conventional farming system uses substantial
amount of inputs such as chemicals and energy. Thus the relative share of inputs added to
the system is much higher than in organic farming. The inner variability of inputs is also
smaller in conventional farming than in organic. The conventional inputs also tend to be
easier to control. As a result there is a lower and more variable output in organic farming
than in conventional one. In Precision Organic Farming there are many more risks that could
make the system uncontrollable. This is mainly because there are some forbidden inputs
such as most of the pesticides and insecticides and the level of added inputs is low.
In conclusion, Precision Organic Farming operates with the same basic principles as
conventional precision farming. Main differences are in the control targets, controllability of
them and the measurement systems needed. Controllability issues may be the most
challenging part of the application. The development of on-line measurement of fertility,
chemical content, etc. might make Precision Organic Farming more feasible in the future.