Precision Agriculture and Sustainable Farming in Latvia
In agriculture, it is becoming increasingly important not only what a farm does, but also how precisely it is able to use the resources available to it. Soil, water, fertilisers, fuel, plant protection products, machinery and labour are all resources whose efficiency of use directly affects both farm costs and its long-term sustainability. Today, farmers have access to an increasingly broad range of data and technologies – GPS systems, soil analyses, satellite imagery, sensors, meteorological data, drones and various digital solutions. These tools make it possible to understand much more precisely what is happening in a particular field and how soil, moisture and crop conditions differ across different areas.
This is precisely where precision agriculture is becoming increasingly important. At its core is a simple idea – to use the necessary resources where and when they are actually needed, rather than applying the same approach uniformly across an entire field. This can help reduce unnecessary use of fertilisers, fuel, water or plant protection products while maintaining or improving yields and the economic efficiency of the farm. This approach is particularly relevant to the “Guidelines for Achieving Sustainability Goals in Latvian Agriculture” developed as part of the project, in which soil conservation, water resource management and the economic sustainability of farms are considered interconnected aspects of sustainable farming.
What exactly does precision agriculture mean?
Precision agriculture is not one specific technology or device. Rather, it is a farming approach in which available data are used to make the most informed decisions possible. Traditionally, a field is often managed as a single unit – fertiliser, seed or other resources are applied at a uniform rate across the entire area. In reality, however, a single field can be highly heterogeneous. Soil composition, pH levels, moisture, nutrient availability, terrain, crop development, and the distribution of diseases and pests can all vary significantly across different parts of the same field. Precision agriculture makes it possible to take this variability into account and adapt farming decisions accordingly.
For example, soil analysis data may show that a particular nutrient is sufficiently available in one part of a field but deficient in another. Instead of applying the same amount of fertiliser across the entire field, it may be possible to adopt a differentiated approach and direct resources to where they provide the greatest benefit. Moisture sensors, satellite imagery and drone-based data work in a similar way – they make it possible to identify differences that may not always be detected in time with the naked eye. Precision agriculture therefore largely represents a shift from the principle of “one solution for the entire field” towards decisions based on actual, location-specific data.
Data are becoming a farm resource
Data are becoming increasingly important in the development of agricultural technologies. These may include soil analysis results, yield maps, satellite imagery, meteorological data, machinery operating data, fuel consumption, and information on the use of fertilisers and plant protection products. However, the most important issue is not simply to collect as much data as possible, but to be able to use that data when making decisions. If information about a particular field is collected over several years, it becomes possible to compare yields with soil characteristics, weather conditions, fertiliser use and other factors, helping farmers better understand what actually works on their farm and where changes may be needed.
Modern digital solutions make it possible to combine information from different sources – machinery, satellites, sensors, weather stations and other information systems. This allows farmers not only to monitor the current situation but also to develop a long-term understanding of the farm's development. In this sense, data are becoming another farm resource – similar to land, machinery or capital. The better a farm understands and uses its data, the more effectively it can plan investments, resource use and future development.
More precise fertilisation – more efficient use of resources
One of the most practical applications of precision agriculture is variable-rate fertilisation. When soil analyses, yield maps or other data make it possible to identify differences between zones within a field, the amount of fertiliser can be adapted to the needs of each specific area. This means that one part of a field may require a higher amount of fertiliser, another a lower amount, while in some areas additional fertiliser may not be necessary at all. Such an approach can help reduce unnecessary fertiliser use, make more efficient use of farm financial resources and, at the same time, reduce the risk of nutrient losses.
More precise fertilisation is also a good example of how environmental and economic benefits can be interconnected. When fertilisers are used more efficiently, a farm can reduce one of its significant production costs while also reducing the risk of applying more nutrients than are actually required in a particular location. Latvian agricultural policy is increasingly recognising the role of precision fertilisation technologies, including through support measures under eco-schemes, demonstrating the growing importance of technology in achieving more efficient and environmentally friendly resource use.
Soil – the foundation of precision farming
Precision farming begins with understanding what is happening in the soil. Soil conservation and improvement of soil quality are among the key areas of sustainable agriculture addressed in the sustainability guidelines developed as part of the project. The guidelines emphasise the importance of soil analysis, assessment of organic matter, crop rotation planning and long-term monitoring of soil conditions. Precision agriculture technologies can serve as practical tools for implementing these principles in everyday farm management.
For example, regular soil analyses and mapping of the results make it possible not only to obtain an average indicator for an entire field, but also to understand how conditions vary across different zones. Satellite data, sensors and drones can then help monitor crop development and identify problem areas at an early stage. This does not mean that technology replaces agronomic knowledge – quite the opposite. Technology complements agronomic expertise with more precise information and helps farmers make better-informed decisions about the management of individual fields.
Technology also helps manage water resources
Water is one of the resources whose importance in agriculture will continue to grow in the context of climate change. Sustainable water resource management is one of the six areas addressed in the project's guidelines, and here too technology can help farms make more precise decisions. Soil moisture sensors, meteorological data, satellite information and automated irrigation systems allow farmers to better understand where and when crops actually need water.
For example, if sensors show that the soil in a particular part of a field still contains sufficient moisture, there is no need to irrigate the entire area equally. At the same time, additional water can be provided in drier areas. This approach can help save water, reduce irrigation costs and minimise the risk of crop stress. At the same time, it should be emphasised that technology alone cannot solve all water management challenges. Maintaining drainage systems, improving water retention and infiltration, and implementing other measures outlined in the farm's sustainability guidelines are also important.
Precision agriculture is not only about expensive machinery
When discussing precision agriculture, there is often a perception that its implementation requires major investments in the latest machinery, drones or complex digital systems. However, more precise farming can also begin with much simpler steps. Regular soil analyses, the use of satellite imagery, monitoring weather data, GPS navigation in machinery, digital field records or simply consistently collecting data on farm fields can already represent significant steps towards more precise decision-making.
There is therefore no need to introduce an entire package of technologies at once. It is much more important to first understand which problem creates the greatest costs or risks on the farm and what data can help address that problem. For one farm, the greatest benefit may come from GPS guidance and machinery optimisation; for another, from soil mapping; and for yet another, from moisture monitoring or yield data collection. This approach is also consistent with the core principle of the project's guidelines – sustainable solutions are not the same for every farm and should be adapted to the specific size, specialisation, resources and needs of each farm.
From technology to farm economic resilience
Sustainability is not only about environmental impact. An agricultural farm must also be economically viable and capable of withstanding risks arising from prices, weather conditions and other external factors. This is why the project's guidelines pay particular attention to the financial sustainability of farms. Precision agriculture can contribute to this goal by reducing unnecessary use of fertilisers and plant protection products, optimising fuel consumption, reducing machinery overlap in the field, using water more efficiently and identifying problems at an earlier stage.
At the same time, every investment in technology should also be evaluated from an economic perspective. Before purchasing a new system, a farm should assess what specific problem it will solve, how much implementation and maintenance will cost, what resource savings or yield increases can realistically be expected, and how long it may take for the investment to pay off. This is consistent with the approach to investment assessment emphasised in the guidelines – it is important to look not only at the initial purchase price but also at the impact on production costs, productivity, yield stability, energy costs and the farm's long-term competitiveness.
How can precision agriculture help implement sustainability guidelines?
Precision agriculture itself is not one of the six main areas covered by the project's sustainability guidelines. Rather, it is a practical tool that can help implement several of the principles set out in the guidelines. In the area of soil conservation, soil analysis, mapping and long-term data collection can help farmers better understand soil conditions and make more informed decisions about fertilisation, crop rotation and other management practices. In water resource management, moisture sensors, weather data and more precise irrigation systems can help ensure that water is used according to the actual needs of crops.
In the context of farm financial sustainability, more efficient resource use can help reduce variable costs and improve control over production costs. From the perspective of climate change mitigation and adaptation, more efficient use of fertilisers, fuel and water can reduce unnecessary resource consumption, while the use of data can help farms respond more effectively to changing weather conditions and other risks. In this way, technology becomes not an end in itself, but a means of putting various sustainable farming principles into practice.
Recommendations for farms
To start benefiting from precision agriculture, it is not necessary to make major investments immediately. The first step can be to collect and organise data that are already available on the farm – soil analyses, yield information, fertiliser and fuel consumption, weather data and field management records. The next step is to identify the areas where this data can help improve decision-making. It is particularly valuable to compare data consistently over several years, as this makes it possible to identify trends and assess whether specific farming practices are actually delivering the expected results.
If soil analyses or digital field data are already available on the farm, they can be used to assess the potential for variable-rate fertilisation. GPS and automated guidance systems can help reduce machinery overlap and fuel consumption, while satellite data and soil moisture sensors can help monitor crop and soil conditions. However, before purchasing any new technology, it is important to calculate its actual economic benefit. Not every new technology will be necessary for every farm – the key is to choose a solution that corresponds to the specific problems, capabilities and development objectives of the farm.
Technology is not the goal – better decisions are
The greatest value of precision agriculture does not lie in the technology itself. It lies in the opportunity to better understand the farm and make more informed decisions. The more that can be measured and understood, the more precisely resources can be used. This, in turn, can mean lower costs, more stable production, better soil and water resource management, and greater resilience to future challenges.
Precision agriculture is therefore one of the tools that can help transform sustainability principles into everyday farming practices. The key question is not simply how much modern technology a farm can purchase, but rather which decisions it can make better when it has access to higher-quality data. More efficient use of resources, conservation of soil and water, economic resilience and the ability to adapt to future changes are also at the heart of the sustainability guidelines developed as part of the project.
From guidelines to practical dialogue with the sector
To ensure that the project's results and the developed guidelines reach agricultural professionals, the conference “Latvian Agriculture – EU Funds, Finance and Sustainable Development” will take place on 25 September 2026.
The programme will place particular emphasis on the project's results and recommendations, as well as sustainable agriculture, renewable energy resources in agriculture and carbon farming as tools for climate change adaptation. Discussions will also focus on Latvia's action directions for addressing climate change challenges, EU funding opportunities for the 2028–2034 period, and financing and lending opportunities for farmers.
The conference is an opportunity not only to learn about the project's results, but also to discuss how these recommendations can be practically applied to farms of different sizes and specialisations.
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