Precision farming practices including the use of global positioning systems (GPS) and geographic information systems (GIS) are applicable not only to harvesting operations but to other farm mechanization operations including precision application of agrochemicals i.e. applying a pesticide or a crop nutrient where it is required and at the appropriate concentration rather than using blanket coverage.
Another interesting development pioneered in France is the robotic approach to harvesting tree fruit like apples and oranges where the mature fruit is selected by machine vision using light reflectance, picked mechanically by the robot and conveyed pneumatically (under vacuum) to a storage pallet. Whether these exciting but expensive technologies can be successfully commercialized remains to be seen. Gantry mechanization (including harvesting) of fruits and vegetables in greenhouses has also been investigated but cost remains a difficult factor to overcome.

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Precision farming practices including the use of global positioning systems (GPS) and geographic information systems (GIS) are applicable not only to harvesting operations but to other farm mechanization operations including precision application of agrochemicals i.e. applying a pesticide or a crop nutrient where it is required and at the appropriate concentration rather than using blanket coverage.
Another interesting development pioneered in France is the robotic approach to harvesting tree fruit like apples and oranges where the mature fruit is selected by machine vision using light reflectance, picked mechanically by the robot and conveyed pneumatically (under vacuum) to a storage pallet. Whether these exciting but expensive technologies can be successfully commercialized remains to be seen. Gantry mechanization (including harvesting) of fruits and vegetables in greenhouses has also been investigated but cost remains a difficult factor to overcome.

Source 1 | Source 2 | Source 3

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