Drones in African Farming

Natural disasters and complex artificial phenomena are gradually destroying Earth. A close look at these events tells us that this is not just a threat to our planet's ecosystem, but also to humanity's existence.

Drone usage has become more crucial in responding to both artificial and natural disasters and modernizing farming techniques. However, drones, commonly called Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, have been mostly associated with the military sector. 

Still, with recent developments, it is becoming helpful in Information Technology, the Cinema Industry, and other specialized operations in the last few decades. These developments have since widened the scope of drones to other areas, such as Agriculture and Mining. 

In the military industry, unmanned aerial vehicles were used widely for different operations. However, that has changed as other areas of the continent have embraced its use due to its widespread applications. 

One such sector that has embraced the widespread applications of drones is the agricultural sector. As a result, they have started applying drone technology to improve the precision and efficiency of farming. 

Therefore, there is no doubt about the importance of using drones in agriculture. Several types of UAVs are now available in the global market for agriculture alone. Drones are now used to perform the following on the fields:

• Facilitate agricultural precision and efficiency by monitoring plants

• Make observations for yielding better crops and for improving the quality of crops

• Prevent fields from any damage

Also, the aerial views these drones provide can help farmers and government institutions with information on the several stages of crop growth, the crops' health, and soil variations in real time to help mitigate any damage.

The agricultural sector has seen a major turning point with the use of drones for subsistence and commercial farming. The intersection of drone technology and agriculture has driven a recent farming evolution.

Agricultural drones are also used in farming applications to help monitor the growth of crops and increase crop production. They are utilized to monitor crops from above, providing insight into efficient crop growth, proper planning, and effective management of farming operations. 

The digital imaging capabilities and the sensors on the drones help give farmers a clearer and better picture of their agricultural field, which can prove effective and valuable in improving farm efficiency and crop yields. For example, agricultural drones allow farmers to see their fields from a bird's eye view.

This view reveals many issues that would not have been seen from the ground level. Such issues include fungal and pest infestations, soil variations, and irrigation problems. Also, with drone technology, farmers can have their crops surveyed periodically.

Whether it be hourly, daily, or even weekly, pictures can be taken and shown to the farmers, detailing the variations and changes in their crops over time. These pictures help farmers identify possible "danger" spots. By assisting farmers in identifying these danger spots, farmers can now attempt to improve crop production and management. 

While it is still uncommon, there will be a vast influx of drone technology in local farming in a few years. Individual farmers will use drone technology to give their crops more economic potential. For now, drones are currently used by government-run, sizable research farms and large investor farms for its agricultural potential. 

In African farming, drone technologies can be used for numerous farming activities. Some of these farming activities are as follows:

• It significantly contributes to the reduction of stressful farming practices in Africa.

• It adds value to the agricultural operation process.

• It helps the farmers to monitor their crops.

• It helps farmers assess the soil for the proper planting of crops.

• It helps with the planning and implementation of plant emergence and population.

• It helps with the protection of crops.

• It helps with the irrigation and drainage of crops.

• It helps in planning the harvest of crops.

The agricultural sector is one sector that has seen tremendous growth since the introduction of drones in Africa. Every year, the farming community faces the challenge of producing enough supply to meet the demands of the nation; however, the yields from crops can be difficult to predict due to several reasons mentioned above. 

With the introduction of drone technology to Africa, farmers can efficiently monitor their fields using drones. They can determine which areas need attention and when, from watering the fields to spraying insecticides and other necessary actions, thus improving their field management.

In Africa, the drone industry's growth is reported to reach $41.3 billion by 2026, a 9.4% compound annual growth from its current $33 billion worth. In a post-pandemic world, different sectors have demands that need to be met, and agriculture is one of them. 

Therefore, there is positive attention to drone technology as the next best thing to economic recovery, especially in the agricultural sector. In the coming years, drones will still offer benefits in delivery because of the many areas that are still inaccessible. 

All that is needed right now to make this a reality is the harmonization of regulations in the drone industry in Africa. While there is no harmonization of regulations yet, a roadmap for this goal is in the works. 

The regional pathways to harmonizing regulations in Africa are an opportunity that supports interoperability and the trade and exchange of services between countries. The drone regulations in Africa are developing rapidly to support the growing drone industry in Africa and the numerous benefits that it has to offer.