Agri-tech and precision agriculture technologies to increase maize productivity and farmers' income

Abstract

This study evaluates the impact of precision agronomy techniques and Agri-Tech interventions on maize productivity and farmers' income in Karnataka, India. Across multiple crop cycles from 2023 to 2024 covering Kharif, Rabi, and Summer seasons, practices such as drip irrigation, fertigation, digital agronomy (AgriApp integration), drone-based foliar spraying, and satellite monitoring were implemented. Results demonstrated remarkable improvements in germination rates, plant counts, yields, and profitability. The Campus_S_4 plot (Kharif season) achieved the highest maize yield of 59 quintals per acre and a Benefit-Cost (B:C) ratio of 3.77. Additionally, the Campus_S_1 plot (Rabi season), achieved the second highest yield of 56.9 quintals with B:C ratio of 2.92. These findings reinforce precision farming's role in boosting farmer income, enhancing sustainability, supporting climate-smart agriculture and bio ethanol story for green energy aligning with India's national objective