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Published
2023-03-31
Section
Articles
How to Cite
Precision Agriculture and Biotechnology: Enhancing Crop Productivity through Smart Technologies
Muhammad Haris Zafar
National Center of Artificial Intelligence (NCAI), NUST Islamabad, Pakistan
Muhammad Imran Khan
Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), Pakistan
Keywords: precision agriculture, variable-rate technology, remote sensing, IoT sensors, decision support systems
Abstract
Precision agriculture (PA) and modern biotechnology are reshaping crop production by turning farming into a data-driven, site-specific, and climate-aware system. PA integrates remote sensing, IoT sensors, variable-rate application, robotics, and decision-support analytics to optimize inputs (seed, fertilizer, water, pesticides) according to within-field variability, reducing waste while stabilizing yields. In parallel, biotechnology—especially genome editing—accelerates genetic gains by enabling targeted improvements in stress tolerance, disease resistance, and quality traits. This article synthesizes how these two domains converge into “smart breeding + smart farming,” where improved varieties are paired with real-time management to close yield gaps under climate and resource constraints. A Pakistan-relevant lens highlights opportunities (water productivity, heat resilience, pest management, smallholder services) and governance requirements (data rights, biosafety, validation, extension capacity, and equitable access). The proposed implementation roadmap emphasizes pilots, agronomic validation, responsible data governance, and bundled service delivery models that translate innovation into measurable productivity and sustainability outcomes.
