Applications of Geospatial and Big Data Technologies in Smart Farming

In recent years, smart farming is gaining popularity largely because of the introduction of high-precision technology tools, which are more accurate, cost-effective and user-friendly in adoption. These new innovative technologies include remote sensing, Global Positioning System (GPS), Geographic Information System (GIS), field sensors, artificial intelligence and automated machinery, big data, etc. Geospatial technologies emerged as one of the main sources for the generation of voluminous big data through various platforms of satellites, manned/unmanned aircrafts and ground-based installations. Smart farming uses various technologies like high-resolution satellite data, GPS, GIS, field sensors, artificial intelligence and automated machinery, etc. Further, trending technologies like drones, the Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing play a significant role in smart farming. Big data by virtue of its velocity, volume, value, variety and veracity is increasingly developed and used in various fields including agriculture. Big data has immense potential in smart farming like real-time weather monitoring, soil moisture monitoring, automated irrigation systems, inputs monitoring, crop monitoring, pest monitoring, etc. Since both big data and smart farming are emerging fields, the chapter attempts to provide the knowledge and awareness of their applications and implications to the researchers, farmers and other stakeholders to effectively leverage the potential of these emerging technologies to optimize the farm resources and improve overall farm productivity.