printer friendly versionDrones lift the Free State Province’s farming sector
31 May 2024
News
Information and communication technology distributor Rectron has made a R351 000 drone system donation to the University of the Free State’s Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, in the province that serves as South Africa’s breadbasket. The investment seeks to enhance the institution’s ability to unlock a myriad smart farming solutions through drone training, licensing, and ongoing compliance.
“More than a once-off project, this marks the latest in a wider series of strategic and ongoing investments into southern Africa’s drone technological capacity and best practice,” said Spencer Chen, Rectron CEO. “The DJI Agras T40 drone we acquired for the University offers the most advanced, high-quality precision aerial capabilities to start making a positive impact in the Free State’s agricultural sector, which we have recognised as vital to South African food security.”
The Ministry of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development estimates that agriculture accounts for 90% of land use in the Free State, with field crops yielding almost two-thirds, animal products contributing a further 30%, and the balance generated by horticulture into the gross agricultural income of the province. Agriculture contributes around 9% of the Free State’s gross domestic product, which contributes the second largest portion of revenue from agriculture for the country.
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research sees the use of commercial drones and smart farming techniques as keys to the effective management of farming operations at all scales in the response to volatile weather events, dry seasons, and swarms of pests, such as the devasting locust infestation of the 2021/22 summer season. As such, the global drone market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 25% between 2022 and 2031, driven primarily by sectors like agriculture.
“Drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (AUVs), equipped with advance sensors and imaging technology, can be quickly, easily and accurately deployed over vast territories of land (including those inaccessible by foot or vehicles) by licensed drone pilots,” says Ruan Botha, Rectron product manager. “Data collected can then be used to generate detailed reports on soil health, topography, animal movement, and a host of other conditions in real time, informing more targeted interventions.”
For more information visit www.rectron.co.za
Further reading:
From the editor’s desk: Engineering education should be made exciting again
Technews Publishing
News
Recently, Statistics South Africa reported that, in the first quarter of 2024, 35% of youth between the ages of 15 to 24 were not involved in either education, training, or employment. This amounts
Smart manufacturing for electronics assembly seminar
ASIC Design Services
News
ASIC Design Services and Siemens Industry Software recently hosted the Smart Manufacturing for Electronics Assembly seminar at the Kleinkaap Boutique Hotel in Centurion with international guest speaker, Jean-Paul Dirven.
Würth Elektronik named preferred partner at Renesas
News
Würth Elektronik has announced its new status as a preferred partner at Renesas, a global leader in microcontrollers, analogue, power and SoC products.
Otto Wireless Solutions wins 2023 Golden FAE award
Otto Wireless Solutions
News
Otto Wireless Solutions announced that their technical manager, Miyelani Kubayi, has won the SIMCom Wireless Solutions Golden FAE Award for 2023.
Quectel receives prestigious Fortress Cybersecurity award
Quectel Wireless Solutions
News
The Fortress Cybersecurity Awards honour the world’s leading companies and individuals who are at the forefront of cybersecurity innovation, and winners are selected based on their dedication to developing solutions, and defending against the growing threat of cyberattacks.
Cape Town shores up sustainable energy distribution
News
The City of Cape Town, which is responsible for delivering energy to the 4,8 million residents of the Western Cape, has awarded ABB a three-year contract for a phased retrofit of legacy medium voltage (MV) switchgear within its electrical infrastructure.
ALX wins EdTech Award at Africa Tech Week Awards ceremony
News
The award highlights ALX’s contribution to tech education, its scalable impact, and its commitment to transforming the African continent’s technological landscape.
Links Field Networks joins the 5G expansion
News
This move signifies a strategic push towards enhancing their global connectivity offering and expanding the capabilities of next-generation wireless technology.
Government announces 2G and 3G shutdown dates, again
News
Recently published in the Government Gazette, the communications minister has announced a new date for the shutdown of 2G and 3G mobile networks in South Africa – no later than 31 December 2027.
Exploring wireless connectivity in new eBook
News
STMicroelectronics has partnered with Mouser Electronics to produce a new eBook titled ‘Beyond the Wires: Exploring Bluetooth and LoRaWAN Connectivity’.
