By Scout Nelson
North Dakota State University (NDSU) is becoming a leader in transforming traditional farming methods through precision agriculture. This modern approach helps farmers use resources like water, fertilizers, and pesticides only where and when needed, improving efficiency and reducing waste.
Dr. Ahmed Rabia, a research assistant professor at NDSU, plays a key role in this progress. He holds a Ph.D. in remote sensing and GIS from the University of Naples.
His research supports NDSU's Food, Energy and Water Security (FEWS) initiative, which focuses on making farming more sustainable and efficient. This program is funded by the USDA Agricultural Research Service.
Precision agriculture uses tools like drones (UAS), machine learning, and advanced sensors to help farmers make better decisions in real-time.
Rabia’s work includes developing drone-based weed detection systems using RGB and multispectral imagery. These tools help farmers quickly identify and treat weed problems in crops like wheat, corn, chickpeas, and soybeans.
Another part of the research focuses on laser-based weed control. This method removes weeds without using chemicals or damaging nearby crops, helping manage herbicide-resistant weeds more safely.
GIS, or Geographic Information Systems, helps farmers map and understand soil and crop conditions in specific locations.
NDSU’s research also includes early disease detection, accurate yield predictions, improved field drainage, and robotic machinery for farming tasks.
NDSU’s work in precision agriculture supports the FEWS goal of enhancing food security while promoting smart use of natural resources.
Photo Credit: north-dakota-state-university
Categories: North Dakota, Corn, Soybeans, Wheat, Equipment & Machinery