Comparison of Performance in Mechanised Agricultural Tasks Between Precision and Conventional Agriculture on Farms in Tolima (Colombia)?

Abstract

Purpose: Agricultural work in Colombia, particularly in small and medium-sized farms, is lagging behind in terms of technology; advances such as precision agriculture (PA) are unknown. This project managed to promote the implementation of PA technologies in the primary tasks of land adaptation, by comparing efficiency indices when conventional practices were used against the use of new technologies.   Theoretical framework: The company CasaToro SA, with its John Deere® agricultural line, allowed the implementation of StarFire TM6000®, 4240® Monitors, Auto Track 200®, and JDLink® technologies, and the use of T3RRA CUTTA® software, in tractors of its brand in different farms in Tolima, Colombia.   Method/design/approach: Measurements of time and area worked in situ were taken and the data obtained were statistically compared using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA).   Results and conclusion: Finding significant differences in tasks such as contour line drawing, which reported a decrease of up to 30% in the time needed in h ha–1, and in primary tillage with discs with increases of up to 13% of the tilled area in ha h–1.   Research implications: In conclusion, in Tolima, which has extensive areas of agricultural production, the implementation of PA can improve yields and reduce production costs.   Originality/value: To demonstrate the benefits of PA.