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Data Science in Agriculture Part I: Introduction

One important aspect of data science is that it allows growers to take either a predictive or reactive approach to management

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81 views

Data Science in Agriculture Part I: Introduction

One important aspect of data science is that it allows growers to take either a predictive or reactive approach to management

Uploaded by

s8nd11d UNI
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CAREER & EDUCATION

Students

Data Science in Agriculture


Part I: Introduction
 By Eeswaran Rasu, Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing;
and Rachael Bernstein, Stockbridge School of Agriculture, University of Massachusetts–Amherst, Amherst.

G “ One important aspect of


lobally, food production needs to be increased
between 60 and 110% by 2050 to feed the growing

data science is that it allows


population through intensification and/or expan-
sion of agriculture (Pradhan et al., 2015; Kamilaris
et al., 2017). Data science has improved the capability of
researchers and farmers with surveying, classifying, decipher- growers to take either a
ing, and circulating data. Data is then used to inform scientific
predictive or reactive
”
actions that increase productivity while reducing the impacts
on the environment (Zaks & Kucharik, 2011). Data science
integrates sensors, information systems, enhanced machin-
approach to management. 
ery, and information management to understand environ-
mental variables and enhance production of crops
and animals without needlessly wasting resources.
Data science is the backbone of precision agriculture
where the main goals of precision technologies are to:
(1) advance the way growers use resources such as
water and fertilizer to optimize profits while increas-
ing sustainability, (2) decrease the adverse effects of
agricultural practices on the environment, and (3)
strive for better work environments, both socially
and physically.
Information-driven management of agricul-
tural operations began in the mid-1980s with an
initial focus on maximizing fertilizer use efficiency
based on the variation in soil conditions within a
field. This increased the understanding of variation
in both above- and belowground conditions and how
it affects crop productivity (Gebbers & Adamchuk,
2010). Certain technologies can even be used for
forecast modeling, allowing farmers to prepare for
weather extremes and take the proper precautions
to prevent crop damage (Zaks & Kucharik, 2011).
One important aspect of data science is that it
allows growers to take either a predictive or reactive
approach to management. The predictive approach
uses soil, topography, and past crop performance

June 2020 CSA News 1


Career & Education

systems. Next month, we will discuss some of the applications


Editor’s note: This article is Part I of a two-part series. See next
month’s article for the second half focusing on “Applications and
and advancements of data science in agriculture and its future
Future Prospects.” prospects.

data to prescribe inputs across a variable landscape. The reactive References


approach utilizes sensors to gather data on crop health at a given
Coble, K.H., et al., 2018. Big data in agriculture: A challenge for the future.
time, so growers can make decisions on crop requirements and
Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, 40(1), 79–96.
inputs. This has been shown to be effective for timing of nitro-
Gebbers, R., & Adamchuk, V.I., (2010). Science, 327(5967), 828–831.
gen applications and improving water management strategies
Kamilaris, A., Kartakoullis, A., & Prenafeta-Boldú, F.X. (2017). A review on the
(Coble et al., 2018). practice of big data analysis in agriculture. Computers and Electronics
Agriculture has entered an era of big data: large datasets in Agriculture, 143, 23–37.
that feature five “V’s”, i.e., “volume” (size of the data), “velocity”
Pradhan, P., Fischer, G., van Velthuizen, H., Reusser, D.E., & Kropp, J.P. (2015).
(measuring the flow of the data), “variety” (multiple sources Closing yield gaps: How sustainable can we be? PloS one, 10(6). https://
and lack of structure), “veracity” (accuracy and credibility of doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0129487
the data), and “valorization” (ability to generate knowledge and
Rodriguez, D., de Voil, P., Rufinom M.C., Odendo, M., van Wijk, M.T. (2017).
innovation) (Kamilaris et al., 2017; Coble et al., 2018). However, To mulch or to munch? Big modelling of big data. Agricultural Systems,
big data analysis does not necessarily need to satisfy all five 153, 32–42.
features (Rodriguez et al., 2017). With growing knowledge on
Zaks, D.P., & Kucharik, C.J. (2011). Data and monitoring needs for a more
big data analytics, evolution of computing infrastructures such ecological agriculture. Environmental Research Letters, 6(1). https://doi.
as cloud computing/supercomputing, artificial intelligence org/10.1088/1748-9326/6/1/014017
(AI), internet of things (IoT), sensor innovations, robotic plat-
forms, and programmable agricultural machines, data science
DOI: 10.1002/csan.20145
has become popular in almost all arenas of food production

2 CSA News June 2020

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