Master of Precision Agriculture

Summary

Digital technology is being employed to make agriculture more efficient, productive and sustainable around the world. The sector needs leaders with strong technical skills and an understanding of agricultural industries to reshape how our food is grown.

About this programme

The focus is on learning the technology-based skills, tools and applications that can grow a more productive and more sustainable agrifoods production sector.

With high-level skills and capabilities in data gathering and management, you’ll be of immense value to an exciting range of organisations and businesses.

You can complete the programme in 12 months if you start in February or July. This will include a summer semester from November to February.

How you’ll grow

• Use information management technologies to monitor and manage crops, animals and natural resources across a range of agricultural contexts.
• Understand the principles and technologies of precision agriculture, and how they apply to cropping, horticulture and livestock cultivation.
• Evaluate how algorithms, sensors and controllable implements are used to ensure effective, precise timing of actions and responses.

Compare and contrast precision agricultural techniques and how they influence performance, productivity, environment and economy.

• Evaluate how GIS analysis can solve ecological problems.
• Design and adapt systems that incorporate GPS, remote-sensing and multi-thematic data sets effectively through data analysis processes and GIS applications in land-based production systems.
• Apply information technologies to decision-making and understand how to solve agriculture-related environmental problems through precision agriculture.

Career opportunities

Expands your opportunities to work as a digitally-literate expert and decision-maker in the primary industries, with large farming corporations and food production organisations.

You’ll be eligible for roles in data-driven science, sustainable production management, strategic management or digital consultancy, with the potential to move into governance.

Graduate Attributes

Graduate Attributes refer to the knowledge, skills, and values that you gain from completing your qualification. These high-level qualities will prepare you for career success, further study or research and making a valuable contribution to society in your chosen field.

Knowledge

• Discuss critically the principles and technologies of precision agriculture for cropping, horticultural and livestock enterprises in Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally.
• Evaluate how sensors, decision support algorithms and controllable implements are used to ensure precise timing and application of agricultural inputs.
• Justify the systems approach to applying information and decision-making technologies.
• Compare and contrast precision agriculture techniques from the perspectives of performance, environmental and economic impact.
• Evaluate how GIS analysis can solve ecological problems at a landscape scale.

Skills

• Interpret the results of literature reviews (using library databases) and research projects clearly and concisely, in various written and oral forms.
• Design and adapt systems incorporating GPS, remote sensing and other multi-thematic data sets appropriately through data analytical procedures and GIS applications and in land-based production systems.
• Manage, analyse and interpret monitoring information.
• Conceptualise and design a project, including the formulation of good questions with realistic research goals, adhering to both animal and human ethics requirements.
• Demonstrate bicultural and intercultural competency relevant to precision agriculture.

Values

• Demonstrate an appreciation of the philosophy and ethics of science research and communication.
• Recognise the potential and respect the limitations of solving environmental problems associated with agriculture using precision agriculture approaches.
• Recognise the contribution of multiple knowledges within precision agriculture.