Precision Agriculture as an Option for Sustainable Use of Resources – A Case Study of Paddy in North-Eastern Karnataka

The study has assessed the costs and returns involved in paddy cultivation under precision and non-precision farming situations in the Koppal district of north-eastern Karnataka region by collecting primary data from 76 (38+38) farmers of Jangamarakalgudi village for the agricultural year 2014–15. The study has reveled that the farmers were benefitted due to adoption of precision farming in terms of lower dosages of N-P-K fertilizers and appropriate use of plant protection chemicals in paddy. The study has also revealed that paddy yield obtained was higher by 10.68 per cent under precision farming vis-à-vis in non-precision farming. Consquently, the net returns were more (56.28%) in case of precision farming. Considering the lack of awarness about precision farming pratices, the study has suggested to encourage and disseninate this technology in the area.