How Hyperspectral Technology is Revolutionising Sustainable Farming

By Rishabh Choudhary, Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer, BharatRohan Airborne Innovations 

To sustainably boost the country’s economic prowess, agriculture in India is undergoing a profound transformation, and at the heart of this revolution is hyperspectral technology. Hyperspectral imaging has rapidly become an indispensable tool for modern farming, offering a powerful and precise means to harness data beyond the visible spectrum. This extraordinary capability allows farmers to make data-driven decisions, contributing to sustainable and effective agricultural practices. In this article, we explore the various ways in which hyperspectral technology is reshaping agriculture and promoting sustainability.

Traditional farming methods often rely on the human eye to evaluate crop health, quality, and environmental conditions. However, hyperspectral imaging extends our perception by capturing data across hundreds of narrow, contiguous spectral bands that go beyond the limits of human vision. Here we explore the implications of this technology in agriculture:

Visible Data Range (400 to 700 nanometers): While hyperspectral sensors encompass wavelengths beyond human vision, they also excel in capturing data within the visible spectrum with unparalleled precision. This data range is invaluable for assessing crop health, quality, and more. It detects subtle variations in colour and pigmentation, serving as an indicator of crop stress, disease, or nutrient deficiencies.

Data Analytics: Hyperspectral data is processed using advanced analytics and machine learning, generating actionable insights that guide data-driven decisions in crop management. These insights include the ability to pinpoint specific irregularities in crop health, detect patterns related to nutrient deficiencies, and track the progression of diseases in plants.

Enhancing Crop Quality: With hyperspectral imagery-based decision support system, farmers can assess the quality of their crops more accurately. This is particularly significant for high-value crops like fruits and vegetables, where appearance and quality are crucial for market success. Hyperspectral imaging can analyse the spectral signature of produce, helping farmers evaluate factors such as sugar content, ripeness, and the presence of blemishes or diseases.

Optimising Resource Use: By monitoring fields throughout the crop cycle, hyperspectral imaging contributes to the efficient use of resources, such as water and irrigation. Farmers can make data-driven decisions about when and how much to irrigate, thereby promoting water conservation. Hyperspectral data enables precise assessments of soil moisture levels and plant stress, allowing for irrigation schedules responsive to crop needs.

Nutrient Management: By analysing the spectral signatures of crops, hyperspectral technology evaluates plant nutrient levels. This data empowers farmers to precisely apply fertilisers and soil supplements where necessary, minimising excess use and its environmental impact. Additionally, hyperspectral imaging can identify nutrient deficiencies by scrutinising the plant’s spectral reflectance.

Supporting Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Hyperspectral technology supports IPM practices by offering insights into the presence of pests and their impact on crops. This information allows farmers to implement targeted pest control strategies, reducing the reliance on broad-spectrum pesticides and minimising ecological harm. Hyperspectral imaging can even detect early signs of pest infestations through alterations in the spectral signature of crops.

Precision Agriculture: Hyperspectral imaging provides precise information about crop health and nutrient levels. With this data, farmers can apply fertilisers and other inputs only where and when needed, minimising wastage and environmental impact while maximising crop yields. It supports variable rate application, enabling farmers to adjust the application of fertilisers, pesticides, and herbicides based on the specific conditions in different field areas.

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By Rishabh Choudhary, Co-Founder & Chief