Farmer's Weekly (South Africa)
Drone technology among small-scale farmers
Small-scale farmers play an important role in food systems and contribute to ensuring food security and livelihoods. However, these farmers face a number of challenges such as climate change, access to resources and markets, as well as increasing cost of farm inputs among others. These challenges have an impact on food security. In addition, limited availability and access to resources require that farming be practised in a precise manner, using minimum inputs to achieve maximum output i.e. being efficient and sustainable. This applies to all agricultural producers.
Drone technology is an example of a technology that promotes precision farming. Drones allow farmers to manage their crop correctly and better. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), in collaboration with the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), is developing a precision agriculture information system that uses drones to enhance decision making on the farm. Precision agriculture is supported by a network of sensors and the paradigm of the Internet of Things, (IoT) which provides data that is relevant in solving agricultural challenges.
As part the project, the ARC and CSIR conducted drone technology demonstrations among smallscale farmers in South Africa. The demonstrated drone can perform functions such as crop monitoring and pesticide applications. The purpose of the demonstrations was to introduce these farmers to drones with the potential to use such technology as part of their farming operations.
Following the demonstrations, the ARC conducted interviews with the farmers to understand their awareness of and attitude towards the technology. The survey revealed that farmers were aware of the technology and had an interest in using it. Their attitude towards the drone was also positive. The farmers indicated that the demonstrations by ARC and CSIR were very useful. They identified support from government extension officers, the ARC and participation in workshops for training as key factors to facilitate technology adoption. In addition, farmers will require support to overcome other challenges related to access to land, water, production inputs and markets. Overcoming these challenges will position small-scale farmers to be better able to adopt technologies such as drones as part of their farming operations. This will also ensure that small-scale farmers are not left behind given the rapid transformation of farming from traditional production systems to technology-oriented operations. ȊȲThis article was written by M Mamabolo and K Nhundu, agricultural economists at the ARC’s Economic Analysis Unit, and C Munghemezulu, G Chirima, S Sibanda, Z Mashaba-Munghemezulu and PE Ratshiedana. Email Manana Mamabolo at RanchoM@arc.agric.za.