Thanks to geomatics, it is now possible for farmers to adapt their farming methods by taking account of the internal variability of the same plot of land.

What is geomatics?

Geomatics is defined like a discipline which manage the data with space reference and calls upon the sciences and technologies connected to their acquisition, their storage, their treatment and their diffusion.

Use of geomatic in agriculture

Geomatic, by its fundamental disciplines (photogrammetry, geodesy, spatial references information systems, numerical cartography, teledetection, land legislation) and sciences which are related (data processing, physics, mathematics, right, cognitive sciences), offers farmers and operators in relation with the agricultural world the numerical methods of data acquisition to spatial reference, representation, storage, treatment and diffusion of spatial information. Thus, geomatics is a support to the decision-making.

Geomatic technologies, used within the framework of precision agriculture, enable farmers to be more operational in their farming methods within the same plot. Indeed, the most significant thing in precision agriculture is the ability to identify within the plot the areas of variation (following the grounds, the output and the fertilization parameters). The objective is to subdivide the territory, in homogeneous parts, for better management. It is thus significant to position correctly the plots as well as the samples and other information collected with the fields. Geomatic technologies considered are :

• geographical positioning with a system of positionment per satellite (GPS). This system allows position the agricultural machinery during work and the information collected on the pieces
• satellite teledetection sensors, airborne and embarked as well as the sensors of output. Those enable to collect intra-compartmental information on various scales and without being in direct interaction with surfaces or objects observed
• a Geographical Information System (SIG). It is used for the georeferenced management of compartmental information, the production of charts and the support with the decision-making.