Teaching Methodologies
In order to achieve the objectives of the curricular unit and the competences provided to the students, the teaching-learning process is based on theoretical-practical classes in which the teacher transmits theoretical concepts, followed by practical application by the student, with the completion of a review work bibliography and/or practical case of application.
Whenever possible, study visits will be carried out to farms where the practice of Precision Agriculture is a reality, for direct contact with the technologies involved and the difficulties encountered in their implementation.
Learning Results
The use of precision agriculture, facilitating the obtainment of georeferenced data for analysis and decision making in the agricultural exploration aiming at the sustainability of resources and production factors associated with agricultural production, is fundamental in the current agricultural exploration. It is intended like this: identify the different applications of new technologies and mechanical systems in agricultural machinery, available both on the market and in pilot projects, and analyse their viability;; transfer knowledge of the most recent innovations used in equipment to farmers, their associations and service companies, with the aim of improving the sustainability of agricultural companies (increased income, reducing costs, improving food safety and reducing the environmental impact of its operations).
Program
1. Precision Agriculture – general concepts, constraints and technical possibilities;
2. Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
3. Global Positioning Systems (GPS).
4. Remote Sensing (DR): data processing and interpretation.
5. Techniques for measuring and mapping crop yields in the field;
6. Variable application of factors of production (VRT): upstream (sensors) and downstream (applicators) technologies.
7. Intelligent Agriculture: robotics and autonomous systems in agriculture.
8. Decision making, case studies in different cultures: presentation of the main results of the research carried out and published works.
Internship(s)
NAO
Bibliography
Brase Terry (2005). Precision Agriculture. Delmar Cengage Learning, 1st edition, Delmar Cengage Learning, 256 pages.
Coelho, J. & Marques da Silva, J. (2009). Agricultura de Precisão. Associação dos Jovens Agricultores de Portugal, Lisboa.
Marques da Silva, J., Peça, J., Serrano, J., Carvalho, M. & Palma, P. (2008). Evaluation of Spatial and Temporal Variability of Pasture Based on Topography and the Quality of the Rainy Season. Precision Agriculture, 9: 209-229.
Taylor, J. (2004). Digital Terroirs and Precision Viticulture: Investigations into the application of information technologies in Australian vineyards. Ph.D. Dissertation. University of Sydney, Australia.
Serrano, J., Peça, J., Palma, P, Silva, J., Roma, J., Carvalho, M., Crespo, D., Mendes, J. & Casas A. (2006). Variable application of fertiliser in permanent pastures. Grassland Science in Europe, Vol. 11: 688-690.
Serrano, J., Peça, J., Marques da Silva, J. & Shaidian, S. (2010). Mapping soil and pasture variabil