An Overview of Precision Farming

With respect to conventional farming precision agriculture increases average yields by limiting the wastage by calculating the exact required quantities of inputs. One major issue in India is the relatively small and scattered landholdings. In India 58% of the cultivable land is less than 1ha under single owner. The agricultural production system is the result of a complex interplay between seed, soil, water, and agrochemicals (including fertilizers). As a result, judicious control of all inputs is critical for the long-term viability of such a complex system. Precision agriculture is the use of technology and techniques to control the geographical and temporal variability associated with all aspects of agricultural production to improve output and environmental quality. Precision agricultural success is dependent on an accurate assessment of variability, its management, and evaluation in the space-time continuum of crop production. Precision agriculture's agronomic performance has been highly impressive in sugar beet, sugarcane, tea, and coffee crops. Due to lack of knowledge of space-time continuum the economic benefits environmental and social advantages are not explored yet. Precision agriculture is a relatively new field that integrates cutting-edge geographic technology with farming scenarios to optimize inputs, eliminate waste, and maximize returns. Precision farming systems are intended for use in many sorts of agricultural systems, ranging from row crops to dairy, and the technology has experienced extensive acceptance in the United States and across the globe.

A questionnaire-based study to evaluate perception, attitude and opinion of undergraduate medical students on the teaching-learning methodology in pharmacology

Background: Pharmacology enables medical students with the art of rational prescriptions of drugs. Reforms in undergraduate teaching are the need of the hour. The purpose of the study was to assess the student抯 attitude, perception, and feedback on teaching-learning methodology. Students� feedback gives an idea to evaluate teaching methods.Methods: A cross-sectional study based on questionnaire. A total of 200 second-year medical students studying at Rangaraya medical college, Kakinada, were asked to fill up a pre-validated, predesigned questionnaire containing 17 questions. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis of data, and the results were expressed in percentage (%).Results: Out of 200 students, 188 filled the questionnaire, and results were analyzed. 98.43% wanted case-based learning; 96.34% wanted more of clinical pharmacology in the curriculum. 83.53% wanted group discussion. Difficulty level of understanding is CVS (67%), CNS (65%), ANS (59%). 44% preferred tutorials. Combined use of LCD + Blackboard (86.58) is ideal teaching method. 81.70% of students studied textbooks only. According to students, pharmacology teachers should make subject interesting (37%) and student-friendly (31%). The need for pharmacology orientation during the internship (68.29%).Conclusions: The study related to the perception and attitude of the students in learning pharmacology was positive and constructive. The students wish to learn more of clinical and practical oriented way with useful audio-visual aids, and should also be refreshed during internship. Implementation of the same would be helpful for better outcome of students.