The use of plastics in horticulture has made considerable headway during the last decade. We are aware that plastics contribute from planting to post harvest handling and processing in many fruit crops. Plastic is used at each and every stage of horticultural life cycle right from seeds packaging, planting, propagation, mulching, irrigation, harvesting, fruit packing and preservation. The application of plastics in agriculture sector is popularly known as Plasticulture. India produces about 5 million tons of plastics annually and use about 0.35 million tons in agriculture. Plastics are used in greenhouses to promote growth and production, mulching to suppress weeds and maintain soil temperature and moisture as well as in containers for seedling and soil solarization to reduce pest and diseases. The efficient use of plastics in agricultural and horticultural operations are utilized by PFDC Hyderabad. The plasticulture operations were performed and demonstrated by research trials by selecting suitable crops under polyhouse and shade nets. Use of drip irrigations system and sprinkler irrigation system with suitable irrigation scheduling and fertigation, demonstrating performance of agricultural and horticultural crops under plastic mulch sheets. The present study aims to determine the role of precision farming development center (PFDC) Hyderabad in plasticulture.

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Precision farming is the technique of applying the right amount of input (fertilizer, pesticide, water etc.) at the right location at the right time to enhance production, decrease input and/or protect the environment, Site-Specific Crop Management (SSCM), Farming by-the-foot, Farming soils and not fields, Prescription farming, Environmentally-friendly farming & Information-based crop production. Thus, precision farming is an appealing concept and its principles quite naturally lead to the expectation that farming inputs can be used more effectively, with subsequent improvements in profits and environmentally less burdensome production. The precision farming developments of today can provide the technology for the environment friendly agriculture of tomorrow. Especially in the case of small farmers in developing countries like India, precision farming holds the promise of substantial yield improvement with minimal external input use. In order to achieve optimal production with less inputs, Precision Farming Development Centre (PFDC), Hyderabad, Telangana, India, plays important role in Precision farming by reaching local farmers to introduce precision farming techniques. PFDC Hyderabad attracts local farmers with tailor made annual action plans which includes both research and extension part. This study shows how PFDC Hyderabad uplifts both financial and social status of local farmers by introducing them to Precision Farming.