An eye in the sky is definitely invaluable. You can see a vast area at a fraction of the time it would take someone on foot. This is the main reason why drones fly for land area surveys. Yes, drones are not just toys for hobbyists anymore. Drones, in fact, are saving lives globally. From road safety, to a tool in police and firefighting; these affordable machines pave the way to a safer future. Now, in the dry fields of Africa, a drone is making its mark.
The Rains Down in Africa:
An Agricultural Drone Technology developed and used in the United States heads to the farmlands of Malawi, Africa. The technology hopes to provide insight in the local farms’ crop production. The target would be an optimized farming pattern and sustainable agriculture in Africa. Professor Jon Carroll, a professor at Oakland University, is the person spearheading this intercontinental expedition.
The drone project is to be set in Liwonde, a southern town in Malawi. This is where the drone can hopefully gather enough data for the optimal use of the local farms. Using the drone to survey the area, the team plans on improving the crop production in the wake of food shortage.
The project, dubbed the Precision Agriculture for Smallholder Systems in Africa, involves the drone capturing aerial images of the farms. This will show data to the team, including the health of the plant life with regards to its current area.
The locality has been plagued with droughts in the past. The rains were scarce even at the time of the project’s deployment. They are hoping that with the help of the drone, they can plant their crops at the most lucrative sites. This can be a small step – a tiny but significant solution – in the ongoing food shortage.
This food shortage has already lead to a majority of the children in the area to be malnourished. The price for food is high, with its creation’s possibility incredibly low. But with this technological achievement from the west, hope may be out there still.
