TRUVAGRO
What Is Precision Agriculture?
TRUVAGRO is a pioneer of precise agriculture in the sub-Saharan region. Having identified the gaps, inadequacies and shortfalls that occur using traditional farming methods, we not only found out that we could increase productivity by more than 40%, we also discovered an overall reduction in field expenditure ranging from, input to irrigation and even human resources.
Has found several uses for agricultural drones, including:
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– Scouting land and crops
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– Checking for weeds and spot treating plants
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– Monitoring overall crop health
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– Managing livestock and monitoring for health issues
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– And more
DRONES OVERVIEW
Drones are equipped with technologies like: propulsion systems, infrared cameras, GPS and navigation systems, programmable controllers, and automated flight planning. Plus, with custom-made data processing software any collected information can instantly be put to use towards better management decisions.
Drones are transforming how agriculture and farming are done, and TRUVAGRO is at the forefront of it in the subregion.
By implementing drone technology, farms and agriculture businesses can improve crop yields, save time, and make land management decisions that’ll improve long-term success.
Farmer’s today have a variety of complex factors that influence the success of their farms. From water access to changing climate, wind, soil quality, the presence of weeds and insects, variable growing seasons, and more.
Agricultural drones allow TRUVAGRO to obtain access to a wealth of data we use to make better management decisions, improve crop yields, and increase overall profitability.
Drones can be used to collect data related to crop yields, soil quality, nutrient measurements, weather and rainfall results, and more. This data is then be used to get a more accurate map of any existing issues, as well as create solutions based upon extremely reliable data.
TRUVAGRO’s Benefits So Far
At the beginning, middle, and end of a crop cycle drones can be used to help obtain useful data surrounding the quality of the existing soil. By obtaining 3D maps of existing soil, we are be able to see if there are any issues surrounding soil quality, nutrient management, or soil dead zones.
This information helps us determine the most effective patterns for planting, managing crops, soil, and more. Ongoing monitoring can help to better utilize water resources, and more effectively manage crop nutrient levels.
Drone planting is a relatively newer technology and not as widely used, but some companies are experimenting with drone planting. Essentially, manufacturers are experimenting with custom systems that can shoot seed pods into prepared soil.
TRUVAGRO is in discussion with some Drone start-up companies whom have been instrumental in developing unique drone technologies to assist with a wide range of ecological and agricultural issues. For example, one company is using unmanned aircraft capable of delivering up to 57 pounds of payload in the form of tree seeds, herbicides, fertilizer and water per aircraft per flight to assist reforestation and replanting projects.
This technology helps to minimize the need for on-the-ground planting, which can be costly, time-intensive, and strenuous work.
This same drone technology can be adapted and applied to a wide range of farm types, reducing overall planting times and labor costs across the board.
Crops require consistent fertilization and spraying in order to maintain high yields. Traditionally this was done manually, with vehicles, or even via airplane. These methods are not only inefficient, and burdensome, but they can be very costly as well especially in Africa.
With approval from the NCAA, Drones can be equipped with large reservoirs, which can be filled with fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides. Using drones for crop spraying is much safer and cost-effective. Drones can even be operated completely autonomously and programmed to run on specific schedules and routes.
For example, if there’s a fungus breakout in a certain section of the crops, drones can be used to spot treat the issue. With the speed at which drones can operate, we can diagnose and treat potential crop issues before they become a widespread issue across the entire farm.
Spot spraying of crops used to be incredibly difficult. If you had an issue with weeds or a certain crop, the entire acreage would have to be sprayed.
This is a huge waste of time and resources, as someone will have to walk the entire acreage, plus there are the overall costs of pesticides and the associated environmental cost of chemical usage.
With spot spraying afforded by drones, this same task can be accomplished in less time, with fewer monetary resources, and a reduced environmental cost.
One of the biggest advantages of using drone technology is the ease and effectiveness of large-scale crop and acreage monitoring. In the past, satellite or plane imagery was used to help get a large scale view of the farm, while helping to spot potential issues.
Today, you can not only obtain real-time footage but also time-based animation which can illuminate crop progression in real-time.
With drone mapping and surveying, technology decisions can now be made based on real-time data, not outdated imagery, or best-practice guesswork.
With Near-Infrared (NIR) drone sensors, you can determine plant health based on light absorption which gives a bird’s-eye view of the overall farm health.
With agriculture drones, TRUVAGRO is able to collect information like:
- The overall crop and plant health
- Land distribution based on crop type
- Current crop life cycle
- Detailed GPS maps of current crop area
Irrigation can be troublesome. With miles and miles of irrigation, issues are bound to arise. Drones that are equipped with thermal cameras help to spot irrigation issues, or areas that are receiving too little or excessive moisture.
With this information, crops can be better laid out to maximize drainage, adhere to natural land runoff, and avoid water pooling, which can damage sensitive crops.
Water and irrigation issues are not only costly but can ruin crop yields as well. With drone surveying, these issues can be spotted before they become troublesome.
TRUVAGRO’s UAV As a Service
At TRUVAGRO, we see the development and growth of the agricultural value chain as essential to the African economy in the current decade and beyond. Our ability to lay a solid foundation will be key to Africa becoming the world’s food basket and key to sustaining global industrial productivity. Laying this foundation is however going to be at the mercy of our ability to increase yield per hectare at a lower cost which is only possible by adopting precision farming practices.
Costs of UAV’s, licensing issues and expertise can be a hinderance for small holder farmers and medium sized farms. That is why TRUVAGRO is poised to offer Precise Farming as a service.
Using Our UAV Service
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