REMOTE SENSING IN AGRICULTURE

Agricultural sector in India is the most dynamic sector having vast renewable natural resources. In India, agriculture sector is the primary activity and alone can sustain the livelihood of most of the population about 46% and also its contribution is highest to the net national product. Increasing agricultural productivity has been the main concern in India. Therefore judicious and optimal management of both land and water resources is the utmost need of an hour. Presently, agriculture faces problems like- Anthropogenic decreases in soil fertility, soil sickness, environmental pollution, wide yield gap, GHG emission, and also unpredictable weather due to climate change, increased intensity of pest and diseases, Water use inefficiency . The technologies like remote sensing and spatial data analysis makes it possible to create strategies for narrowing yield gap, climate smart agricultural practices, cropping calendar, and improve production in quality and quantity. During the last two decades, remote sensing techniques are applied to explore agriculture applications such as crop growth monitoring (plant populations, nutrient deficiencies, diseases, water deficiency or surplus, weed infestations, insect & herbicide damage), comprehensive and reliable information on land use\cover, forest area, soils, geological information, extent of wastelands, agriculture crops, water resources (both surface and underground) and also timely information on hazard\natural calamities like drought and flood, wind and hail damage through remote sensing is blessings in agriculture