Chapter 9. Precision Agriculture and Food Security in Africa

Ncube, B., French, A., & Mupangwa, W. (2018). Chapter 9. Precision Agriculture and Food Security in Africa. In: Systems Analysis Approach for Complex Global Challenges. Eds. Mensah, P., Katerere, D., Hachigonta, S., & Roodt, A., pp. 159-178 Heidelberg: Springer. ISBN 978-3-319-71485-1 10.1007/978-3-319-71486-8_9.

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Abstract

Background and Significance of the topic: The chapter gives an overview of precision agriculture and its impacts on food security in Africa. Methodology: Methods and concepts of precision agriculture are described including crop, soil and position sensors; which include global positioning and remote sensing applications in detection of crop stress, monitoring variability, soils, weeds, and diseases. Machine controls and computer based systems are also briefly described. Application/Relevance to systems analysis: There are a number of operations that can benefit from precision agriculture at field level, including soil preparation, fertilisation, irrigation and weed management. In Africa, the benefits of precision agriculture include improved food security through increases in water and nutrient use efficiency, and timely management of activities such as weed control. Precision agriculture has saved costs of inputs in both commercial and smallholder farming in Africa. Pollution control of ground and surface water sources has slowed down where fertiliser and agrochemical applications are now more efficient. Policy and/or practice implications: Two examples of precision agriculture application in Africa are presented; FruitLook which is used by farmers in the Western Cape in South Africa as a state-of the art information technology that helps deciduous fruit and grape farmers to be water efficient and climate-smart. The Chameleon and Wetting Front Detector Sensors have enabled small scale farmers in Mozambique, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe to cut down irrigation frequency fifty times and double productivity. Discussion and conclusion: It is clear that precision agriculture has played a major role in improving food security in Africa through the efficient use of inputs such as fertiliser and water, while also reducing environmental pollution and degradation.

Item Type:	Book Section
Research Programs:	Risk & Resilience (RISK) Risk, Policy and Vulnerability (RPV) Young Scientists Summer Program (YSSP)
Depositing User:	Michaela Rossini
Date Deposited:	11 Apr 2018 13:17
Last Modified:	27 Aug 2021 17:30
URI:	https://pure.iiasa.ac.at/15210

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