Chapter 17
Information and Communication
Technology in Agriculture
Eizo Taira
Abstract Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) enables rapid and nondestructive analyses of the components of an object. NIRS has many applications in agriculture. In
particular, it has been combined with information and communication technology
(ICT) to facilitate the management of equipment and data, thereby significantly
expanding its application range. This chapter discusses the application of ICT,
especially in sugarcane production.
Keywords Information and communication technology (ICT) · Network ·
Geographic information system (GIS) · Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV)
17.1 NIR Network System
Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) can provide desired data through calibration or
discrimination models. NIR instruments can be used to rapidly measure data related
to product management, grading, and pricing. An Internet-connected NIR network
system enables the efficient and effective collection, analysis, and use of these data
[1]. Further, an NIR network system comprising several NIR devices can not only
collect data but also perform device diagnostics, calibration transfer, and management of several calibration models simultaneously. Such systems are, therefore, very
important tools for system managers because they allow end users to perform all
measurements without setting up a calibration model for the given NIR device and
measuring conditions. NIR network software systems are provided either by NIR
manufacturers or by other developers.
NIR network systems afford significant benefits to users. For example, Taira et al.
used an NIR network system to set up sugarcane quality payment [2]. In Japan, sugarcane is cultivated on ten islands in the southern region. Further, 16 sugarcane factories are located across 14 islands. Both users and distributing companies face some
transportation and maintenance issues on these islands when using NIR instruments.
E. Taira (B)
University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Japan
e-mail: e-taira@agr.u-ryukyu.ac.jp
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
Y. Ozaki et al. (eds.), Near-Infrared Spectroscopy,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-8648-4_17
381
Information and Communication
Technology in Agriculture
Eizo Taira
Abstract Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) enables rapid and nondestructive analyses of the components of an object. NIRS has many applications in agriculture. In
particular, it has been combined with information and communication technology
(ICT) to facilitate the management of equipment and data, thereby significantly
expanding its application range. This chapter discusses the application of ICT,
especially in sugarcane production.
Keywords Information and communication technology (ICT) · Network ·
Geographic information system (GIS) · Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV)
17.1 NIR Network System
Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) can provide desired data through calibration or
discrimination models. NIR instruments can be used to rapidly measure data related
to product management, grading, and pricing. An Internet-connected NIR network
system enables the efficient and effective collection, analysis, and use of these data
[1]. Further, an NIR network system comprising several NIR devices can not only
collect data but also perform device diagnostics, calibration transfer, and management of several calibration models simultaneously. Such systems are, therefore, very
important tools for system managers because they allow end users to perform all
measurements without setting up a calibration model for the given NIR device and
measuring conditions. NIR network software systems are provided either by NIR
manufacturers or by other developers.
NIR network systems afford significant benefits to users. For example, Taira et al.
used an NIR network system to set up sugarcane quality payment [2]. In Japan, sugarcane is cultivated on ten islands in the southern region. Further, 16 sugarcane factories are located across 14 islands. Both users and distributing companies face some
transportation and maintenance issues on these islands when using NIR instruments.
E. Taira (B)
University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Japan
e-mail: e-taira@agr.u-ryukyu.ac.jp
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
Y. Ozaki et al. (eds.), Near-Infrared Spectroscopy,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-8648-4_17
381