**3.2 Geographic information system (GIS)**

GIS, one of the key tools for PA, is a digital mapping system that manages the spatial information collected on the ground. It is also defined as a software that collects, analyzes, and displays spatial data on maps. GIS can help farmers to use various types of data and analytics to improve farmer's decision making and planning in many ways. For example, GIS can help the farmer to map and monitor the soil characteristics and variability in their fields, such as texture, pH, organic matter, moisture, and fertility. After that, by integrating soil data with other information, such as weather, crop type, and yield, farmers can create soil management zones and apply variable rate inputs, such as fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation, to each zone according to its specific needs.
