Remote sensing and gis applications in fruit industry

Fruit industry in India is known for its multi-functionalities of providing nutritional security, employment, livelihood and ecological security. The diverse spread fruit orchards all along country needs due care and management for its sustainable growth and development. Remote sensing (RS) and Geographical Information System (GIS) are new edge technologies that aids in gathering and updating information to develop scientific management plans. RS and GIS have various applications viz., Crop Classification, Crop Area and Acreage Estimation; Crop Canopy Measurements; Crop Yield Estimation; Plant Health Analysis, Input Management (nutrient and water). The application of RS and GIS techniques in the management of fruit industry are increasing rapidly but there are some challenges like more accurate yield models, identifying ways and means of reducing cost, time gap in collection, interpretation and dissemination of data, convincing evidence to prove its utility and human resource development to hasten the process on large scale. Inspite of these challenges RS and GIS have tremendous scope and potential for sustainable production of horticulture crops.