from mashable.com
California’s drought is far from over — but high-tech companies are stepping in to help.
The state is facing its driest year in decades, following an unusually rain-free winter. California’s central valley, the fruit and nut basket of the world, is suffering the consequences. In response, startups are offering solutions such as drones, aerial imagery and data analytics to help deliver water to only the parts of farmers’ fields that need it.
SEE ALSO: NOAA: No End in Sight for California Drought
Drones and data
Indiana-based PrecisionHawk uses small plane-like drones that a farmer can toss into the air and survey their field with. Some 15 plug-and-play sensors monitor the land. More important than the drone is the data it collects. Using the different sensors, farmers can pinpoint the type of problems they see on their field, such as low nitrogen levels.