Precision Agriculture in Drylands

Convener: Tarin Paz-Kagan, BGU

Dryland agriculture faces significant challenges, including water scarcity, soil degradation, and climate variability, necessitating the adoption of advanced technologies to enhance productivity and sustainability. Precision agriculture offers innovative solutions by integrating sensors, remote sensing applications from UAVs and satellites, and machine learning to develop site-specific management techniques to optimize resource use and mitigate environmental stressors. This session will explore cutting-edge research and practical applications of precision agriculture in arid and semi-arid regions, focusing on key topics such as precision irrigation and fertilization, soil moisture monitoring, crop health assessment, and data-driven decision-making. Special attention will be given to the role of satellite and UAV-based remote sensing, AI-powered analytics, and emerging smart farming tools that enhance land productivity while conserving resources. By bringing together researchers and students, this session aims to foster discussions on sustainable dryland agricultural strategies, addressing both challenges and opportunities. Participants will gain insights into scalable, cost-effective, and climate-resilient agricultural innovations that support food security and environmental conservation in dryland ecosystems.