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South African farmers get Agro Energy Fund as load shedding bites

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The ongoing load shedding in South Africa has become a serious constraint on growth and profitability for various sectors, agriculture included.

In addressing the negative impact on the productivity and profitability of farm operations brought about by the load shedding crisis, Land Bank and DALRRD, on 29th August launched a blended finance fund called the Agro Energy Fund that is geared towards financing alternative energy solutions with a focus on energy intensive agricultural activities which include irrigation, intensive agricultural production systems and on-farm cold chain related activities.

The fund aims to support all South African producers and agri-businesses in the agricultural sector from smallholder to large scale and mega commercial producers.

“I must emphasise that the purpose of the Agro Energy Fund is to incentivise farmers to invest in alternative energy sources. This Fund will run parallel to other existing financial instruments that are designed to support farmers with production, farmer infrastructure, market and other. Applications will be directed to the Land Bank and will be subjected to approval guidelines of the bank” said Minister Didiza.

The funding will be deployed through a blended finance structure which is a combination of a loan and grant. DALRRD will contribute a grant portion to a total value of R500 million which will be matched with a loan portion to a total value of R710 million from Land Bank.

This will effectively create a R1.21 billion fund size. The fund will be available in the market until the allocated funds are completely drawn down. The prioritised focus will be on supporting dairy farming, piggeries, poultry, all irrigated commodities and on-farm processing.

In deploying funding to producers, the Bank will also rollout its Green Finance product
offering with a focus on financing solar panels, biogas and biomass plants which will result in the installation and commissioning of energy efficiency projects across the country which will partially offset electricity usage from the grid.

The Agro Energy Fund will enable the Bank to contribute to building resilience for enterprises against energy shocks in the sector which have negatively impacted productivity and profitability in farm operations.

Food security and rural development remain key priorities in the agricultural sector. The
intended support to producers will also indirectly result in the maintenance of jobs in the sector which is experiencing growth in employment numbers.

“We are delighted to be in this partnership with the Department for the implementation of the Agro Energy Fund which is important to provide energy security to ensure that farming continues uninterrupted even during load shedding hours and there will be extra energy produced by farmers through this funding.

This may also reduce the electricity bill of the farmers as they will no longer buy full units but use solargenerated energy” said Mr Andrew Makenete, Deputy Chairman of the Land Bank Board. The launch of the Agro Energy Fund follows the successful launch of the Blended Finance Scheme (BFS) in October 2022 through the partnership between Land Bank and DALRRD.

The launch therefore marks the opening of lending activities under the Agro Energy Fund.

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Less fertilizer thanks to test strips and satellite data

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A new technology will facilitate quick, easy and precise fertilizing in the field in the future.

Thanks to the combination of biosensor test strips and satellite-based remote sensing data, the Technical University of Munich (TUM) is developing a method for determining the nutritional condition of cereals and the perfect amount of fertilizer.

Automatic provision of digital analytical data to the tractors terminal should save time and prevent overfertilization in the future. With its development of environmentally friendly technologies the Straubing campus for sustainability plays a leading role within the TUM.

Along with light and water, plants require nutrients that must be provided for their growth. Precise fertilization of agricultural crops ensures successful yields and environmentally friendly cultivation. Scientists have long searched for methods and techniques to provide plants with sufficient nutrients while conserving resources.

The goal is to determine the exact amount of fertilizer needed for each stage of growth and to use technology to apply nutrients in the field with precision and accuracy.

New technologies using test strips and satellite remote sensing data

Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) are working on a new and simple method of determining the nutritional condition of cereal plants with the help of easy-to-use biosensor test strips, much like blood sugar testing for diabetics.

Multiple plant stems are collected from at least three different locations in the field and used for extraction. One drop of the sap on a test strip is enough to measure the nitrate content with a diagnostic device that fits in the palm of your hand.

The result is available in a few minutes. It is used to calibrate remote sensing data which is already available via satellite from the EU Copernicus program, the European land monitoring service.

The combination of precise local measurements from the new diagnostic device using test strips and widely available earth observation data based on satellites allows for exact calculation of the amount of nitrogen fertilizer required in the field examined. By the TUM researchers’ estimation, this saves up to 20 percent of the fertilizer required for the cultivation of cereals.

Fertilizing practice has been imprecise until now

According to the Federal Environment Agency, 50 percent of the nitrogen fertilizer used in agriculture is not absorbed by the plants. Excess quantities of fertilizer remain in the natural cycles in nature and have an impact on the soil and water. Fertilizer calculations for cultivated plants are done purely mathematically with standardized parameters or based on experience. Although it is possible to determine the nutritional conditions of the plants through laboratory analysis, this currently is very costly in terms of time and money. It has therefore been rather impractical for use in the field to date.

Accurate quantity of fertilizer is available quickly and digitally

The initial focus of research at the TUM is on the supply of nitrogen for cereals. In the future, it will be also possible to test the plants’ nutritional condition with regard to phosphate and potassium. The TUM uses prototypes of the new diagnostic method, which is also expected to be affordable to purchase in the future.

The researchers calculate the cost at around 20 Euro per hectare for agricultural use of the new technology. The aim is to be able to deliver the processed analysis results from test strips and satellite data directly into the digital on-board technology in agricultural machines and fertilizer applicators. In this way, fertilizing can be done entirely digitally and precisely without any laborious calculations.

Practical field tests are already starting this year

Field tests with the new technology are already starting this year. Collaboration with regional machinery rings is making it possible for the TUM researchers to gain experience with a broad range of users. “Right from the outset, we will be carrying out field tests with farmers in the region in order to develop our technology in collaboration with the users,” says Dr. Tobias Vöpel, Project Leader at the TUM Straubing campus. The results of the practical field tests will be incorporated into the development of the new technology over the next three years.

First EIC Transition project for the TUM

With the research project for simple determination of fertilizer requirement, the TUM has now been awarded the European Innovation Council (EIC) Transition program grant, which provides financial support for researchers in their work on innovative technologies for sustainable and future-proof agriculture.

Multiple university chairs are working together on the project in order to develop a technology which is ready for market. The Chair of Prof. Nicolas Plumeré, Professor of Electrobiotechnology at the TUM Straubing campus is leading the project.

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Massey Ferguson Introduces 1 Series Round Baler

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A global leader in the design, manufacture, and distribution of agricultural machinery and precision ag technology, announced today the launch of a new round baler series.

The Massey Ferguson 1 Series round baler delivers efficiency, quality, and operator comfort with straightforward, proven technology and rugged dependability.

The series was specially designed to perform in challenging dry hay, stover, and residue applications. Massey Ferguson will display the new baler at this year’s Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Illinois, and is currently accepting preorders.

Baling dry hay and stover is incredibly demanding on hay equipment,” said Matt LeCroy, director, hay and harvesting, for Massey Ferguson North America. “Our engineering team in Hesston, Kansas, worked diligently to provide an efficient solution that can stand up to the challenging conditions our farmers face in the field.”

Straightforward Comes Standard

The Massey Ferguson 1 Series round baler integrates proven technology from decades of industry-leading innovation to make the baling process more efficient and more comfortable than ever before. It is available in two variable-chamber models, the RB.146, which produces up to 4-by-6-foot round bales, and the RB.156, for up to 5-by-6-foot bales.

The 1 Series comes standard with a camless pickup for increased efficiency and comfort. This reduces power requirements to just 80 hp for the RB.146 and 100 hp for the larger RB.156. Additionally, without a cam track, the 1 Series round baler minimizes maintenance and noise.

With the 1 Series round baler, hay producers can be loaded in minutes with minimal physical requirements. A front-mounted net binding system allows for tighter, faster binding without the visibility tradeoff of other models, providing the best of both worlds for North American farmers. The baler features a duckbill-style net system.

This mechanically moves net from the roll to the bale, eliminating environmental obstructions, while the net braking design allows for easy one-handed adjustment without tools, ensuring optimum net tension. An innovative net roll loading rack pivots out at approximately tailgate height, minimizing lifting and positioning.

An optional hydraulically operated drop floor provides further comfort, allowing operators to clear obstructions without leaving the tractor.

Durability for Extreme Haying Conditions

Engineers designed the 1 Series round baler to deliver dependable, long-lasting service even in the challenging conditions of North American dry hay production. Heavy-duty components ensure the new baler will stand up to the harshest conditions, year after year, for fast ROI and a better total cost of ownership. This includes:

  • Triple-lip sealed bearings to keep out dust and debris.
  • Heavy-wall aggressive rollers with welded cleats for long service life.
  • Debris shields and cast roller flares prevent material buildup, protecting bearings.

Additionally, the 1 Series uses high-quality systems proven to reduce unnecessary downtime. For example, the maintenance-free elastomeric tension and toothless idlers minimize wear on diamond roller chains for maximum uptime. Keeping with Massey Ferguson’s focus on straightforward and dependable equipment, moving parts are minimized throughout the baler for low maintenance and a operator-friendly experience.

High-Speed, High-Quality Hay

“From the moment of cutting, hay quality begins to diminish,” LeCroy said. “Our one purpose is providing the tools farmers need for faster baling without jeopardizing quality. The Massey Ferguson 1 Series round baler delivers on our promise of farmer-focused equipment solutions that meet the needs of North American hay producers. The 1 Series allows operators to maintain density while running at increased speeds. Additionally, they have access to cutting-edge technology that makes haying easier than ever before.”

The baler employs a vertical chamber that uses gravity to increase bale density without additional parts or power. It also features a positively engaging undershot rotor for increased efficiency.

State-of-the-art, cross-platform commonality allows for easy integration into any operation. This includes tractor implement management (TIM) capabilities, which allow the baler to stop the tractor and completely cycle the bale without operator input.

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Tractor sales in Australia plummet, says association

Tractor sales in Australia plummet, says association

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July has seen a significant fall in tractor sales in Australia evidence that some sales were brought forward in June to take advantage of the Temporary Full Expensing Program.

Normally a quiet month, there were only around 750 tractors delivered in July which was around 250 units or 36% fewer than the same month last year.  This now means that the year-to-date figure is 18% behind the same period last year.

Sales around the nation were well down across the board with Victoria off 32% on the same month last year to be 25% behind year to date. Queensland was down 38% and is now 14% behind year to date, NSW was down 35% to be 19% off YTD.

Sales in Western Australia reported a drop of 49% and remains 18% behind last year. South Australia recorded a 22% decline and now sits 8% behind YTD and Tasmania was off 58% for the month, 25% down YTD with sales in the NT finishing 9% down remaining 9% down YTD.

Looking at the machine categories, we find that the small under 40 hp (30kw) category, the category most likely to be affected by interest rates, was down by 45% for the month and is now 20% behind year to date.

The 40 to 100hp (30-75kw) range was also down 34% and is now 19% behind year to date, the 100 to 200hp (75-150 kw) category was down, this time by 27% and remains 21% behind YTD and finally the 200 hp (150kw) PLUS range slipped, down 44% remaining 10% behind last year.

Sales of Combine Harvesters continue to gather pace with more than 350 units delivered in the year so far. This puts us well ahead of the same time last year, up 75% in fact and expectations are for an outstanding year ahead.

Baler sales enjoyed a small rise and are now 12% ahead on a year-to-date basis and sales of Out – Front Mowers enjoyed another strong month, up 45% on the same time last year.

The machinery sales industry is experiencing some significant headwinds at present. Machinery prices are high and look to be remaining so, recent interest rate rises are impacting the cost of finance and the expectations of a drier summer have caused some farmers to reconsider their machinery purchases.

Despite this, we remain optimistic that we will see more of a “soft” landing as conditions continue to normalise after what has been an amazing two-year period.

Finally, the annual TMA conference has now been held in Sydney and was a tremendous success with all sponsorships an  tickets sold out. The day saw an exciting range of speakers but undoubtedly, those in attendance thoroughly enjoyed the networking opportunity the event provided.

The TMA Conference is the must attend event for all manufactures, dealers and suppliers to the industry and we look forward to a bigger and better event again next year.

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Expanded API Now Available for the Trimble Agriculture Cloud

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Trimble announced today the release of its flexible API for the Trimble Agriculture Cloud, an industry cloud that streamlines farming operations.

The availability of this API represents the next evolution of connectivity for agriculture integrators by coupling in-field devices and operational workflows for enabling compatibility with both Trimble and third-party agriculture applications.

As part of its focus to provide precision agriculture technology for mixed fleets, Trimble has created a path to enable broad compatibility that seamlessly connects local, regional and national applications to Trimble equipment in the field, as well as the data it collects.

The Trimble Agriculture Cloud helps farmers execute workflows with greater accuracy, more efficiency and fewer errors while driving sustainability. It also centralizes data needed for compliance and regulatory requirements.

For integrators, access to the Trimble Agriculture Cloud’s API enables third parties to connect to the Trimble platform and its key workflow applications, including Trimble Ag Software, Trimble Ag Mobile and the Precision-IQ™ field application, expanding the value of the solutions they offer.

“At Trimble, our vision is to help farmers work more efficiently through data-driven farming practices and decision support tools,” said Dave Britton, vice president of Product Management, Trimble Agriculture.

“Enabling farmers to complete workflows that involve solutions from multiple technology providers is critical, especially in cases where third-party applications address unique regional farming practices. With this in mind, we created the Trimble Agriculture Cloud and an expanded, flexible API to establish a place where integrators could easily connect and share data, regardless of brand.”

API capabilities include farm setup, task records and recommendations, materials, vehicle setup, work orders, harvest and crop zones activities. Through the combination of software and hardware, Trimble enables integrators to create value for farmers and their partners, including consultants, agronomists, custom applicators and more, by facilitating workflows that leverage connectivity to the machine in the field, improving the overall crop production process.

With the recent update of the Trimble Agriculture Cloud, the most common API workflows available to third-party integrators address the majority of applications on the farm, including:

  • Accessing Trimble display as-applied data in third-party applications for productivity analysis and regulatory compliance
  • Sending prescriptions to and from third-party applications to Trimble displays
  • Aligning field resources such as boundaries, guidance lines and landmarks between connected third-party applications and Trimble displays for in-field execution

Trimble currently has more than 180 million customer acres (72.8 million hectares) using its Trimble Agriculture Cloud on the connected platform, along with many partner integrators ranging from enterprise farmers, customer software applications and local and regional dealers.

“As an environmental software company that enables farmers and their partners across New Zealand to connect, manage, visualize and share their environmental data, we need partners that can make data sharing simple. Syncing data to the Trimble Agriculture Cloud allows us to easily send prescription files to Trimble displays and receive equipment activity data back, allowing farmers and their contractors to provide proof of application for their spreading and spray applications,” said Chloe Walker, chief operating officer, Precision Farming Ltd.

“The Trimble Agriculture API opens up the market to a much broader range of options for New Zealand-based GPS guidance users, allowing them to utilize the devices of their choice and automatically return that data to where they need it to go. Proof of application data from Trimble displays can now be returned to the farmer, supplier and regulator as part of a digitized workflow management process for contractors.”

The Trimble Agriculture Cloud is part of the Trimble Developer Program, a Trimble-wide initiative to streamline the developer experience across the Trimble software ecosystem, making it easier for developers to discover, learn, access and receive support for APIs and SDKs.

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Mahindra seeks to revolutionalise global farming with OJA Tractor Platforms

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Mahindra Tractors, the world’s largest tractor manufacturer by volume, today launched its much-anticipated, future ready range of tractors – the Mahindra OJA – at Futurescape, an event held in Cape Town, South Africa.

Derived from the Sanskrit word “Ojas”, meaning Powerhouse of Energy, OJA is Mahindra’s most ambitious global lightweight tractor platform.

Developed in collaboration between the engineering teams of Mahindra Research Valley, India, the R&D centre for Mahindra AFS and Mitsubishi Mahindra Agriculture Machinery, Japan, at an investment of $ 145 million, the new OJA range brings about a transformative shift in Light Weight 4WD Tractor design and engineering, to deliver cutting-edge innovation in tractor technology.

With 4WD as standard, the OJA range is based on 4 platforms:

Sub-Compact – 20-26HP

Compact – 21-30HP

Small Utility – 26-40HP

Large Utility – 45-70HP

Differentiated based on variations in weight and dimensions (length, width, and height), the 4 new platforms are poised to facilitate the introduction of more than 40 distinct tractor models by Mahindra.

Encompassing a broad range of horsepower levels, from 20HP to 70HP (equivalent to 14.71kW to 52.48kW), the OJA range leverages 4 Engines and 4 Transmission technologies ensuring adaptability of the OJA range for a wide range of applications, providing unparalleled versatility and efficiency to handle diverse agricultural tasks.

In Cape Town, Mahindra unveiled new tractors on 3 OJA platforms – the Sub Compact, Compact and Small Utility platforms, addressing diverse market needs including that of the U.S., India, and ASEAN. With 4WD as standard, Mahindra also launched 7 new tractor models for the Indian market on the Compact and Small Utility platforms. These models range from 20HP – 40HP (14.91kW – 29.82kW).

By partnering with prominent attachment and implement suppliers at a global level, the OJA range will provide all-encompassing solutions tailored to the demands of farmers and a wide range of users. This will result in unparalleled product performance, catering to customers across various segments, including horticulture, paddy and vineyards.

During the Mahindra OJA launch, Mr. Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director and CEO (Auto & Farm Sector), Mahindra & Mahindra, said ‘At Mahindra we are extremely proud with the Global launch of the OJA range, epitomizing innovation to transform farming globally.

After kickstarting its exciting journey in India, the OJA range will subsequently be launched across new and existing markets. Encompassing over 25% of the Global Tractor Industry, OJA will also signify our entry into Europe and with Thailand serving as our gateway, we are all set to enter into the ASEAN region.”

Talking about the OJA launch, Mr. Hemant Sikka, President, Farm Equipment Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra said, “A powerhouse of energy, the OJA range features 4 Light Weight 4WD Tractor platforms (20-70 hp). Pioneering technologies like Connectivity, Precision, and Automation combined with modern design, operator comfort, and convenience, ensure that the OJA range is world-class in every way.

A monumental leap for us at Mahindra, these new tractors will redefine agriculture mechanisation across the globe, promising profound farm productivity.”

The Mahindra Oja tractor range will be exclusively manufactured at Mahindra’s state-of-the-art tractor facility in Zaheerabad, Telangana, India’s largest and most advanced tractor manufacturing plants. A vertically integrated tractor facility, this facility rolls-out Mahindra’s wide range of tractors.

About Mahindra

Founded in 1945, the Mahindra Group is one of the largest and most admired multinational federation of companies with 260,000 employees in over 100 countries. It enjoys a leadership position in farm equipment, utility vehicles, information technology and financial services in India and is the world’s largest tractor company by volume.

It has a strong presence in renewable energy, agriculture, logistics, hospitality and real estate. The Mahindra Group has a clear focus on leading ESG globally, enabling rural prosperity and enhancing urban living, with a goal to drive positive change in the lives of communities and stakeholders to enable them to Rise.

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Fertilizers rich in 3 Vital minerals vastly enhance potato yields, new study finds

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A new study has found that the application of fertilizers rich in calcium, magnesium and zinc can vastly improve the growth of potatoes as well as other tubers.

Conducted by Egypt’s Mansoura University, the research was published this month in the Journal of Plant Production, an Egypt Scientific Magazine.

“These findings provide valuable insights, especially for potato farmers looking to optimise their crop yields,” M.K.F. El- Tawashy, who headed the research team, said.

“We hope our research will contribute to the development of more effective fertilization strategies for potato production, which can benefit the agricultural industry as a whole,” they added.

Better quality, better quantity

The research was done by a team of scientists from Egypt’s Mansoura University, who tested the effects of BRANDT Manni-Plex Ca-Mag and BRANDT Manni-Plex Ca-Zn on potato growth and productivity.

The study found that the foliar application of calcium- and magnesium-rich fertilizers – especially in newly reclaimed soil – greatly enhanced the size of potato yields. According to the study’s findings, improvements were seen in terms of both number and weight.

“This can lead to increased profitability by enhancing both the quantity and quality of the potatoes, which can then be sold at higher prices,” M.K.F. El- Tawashy said.

“The study highlights the importance of using the right fertilizers and application methods,” they added, “which can help farmers reduce costs associated with inefficient fertilization techniques.”

Enhancing marketability

According to the study’s findings, the foliar application of BRANDT Manni-Plex Ca-Zn and BRANDT Manni-Plex Ca-Mag to potato plants increased both dry weight and leaf-nutrient accumulation. This, M.K.F. El- Tawashy explained, may be related to the minerals’ functions on potato plants.

“Further studies on potatoes – along with other strategic crops – are still needed to determine the precise correlation between Calcium, Magnesium and Zinc applications and specific environmental factors,” they said.

The research also found that these mineral-rich fertilizers stimulate plant growth, thus enhancing the size and total number of leaves. It also found that these three vital minerals serve to boost overall chlorophyll content.

“Our findings highlight the importance of using high-quality fertilizers and the potential benefits of foliar application,” M.K.F. El- Tawashy said. “This will no doubt help farmers all over the world improve the marketability of their produce.”

Fighting world hunger

The study’s findings are a significant step forward in the development of more effective and sustainable fertilization strategies for potato production.

“By improving their fertilisation practices, farmers can also reduce the risk of crop failure and enhance the overall sustainability of their operations,” M.K.F. El- Tawashy said. “This, in turn, will help them achieve greater profitability in the long term.”

M.K.F. El- Tawashy and their research team plan to continue their work and explore the potential benefits of other fertilizers and application methods.

“The potato industry is a major contributor to the global agricultural sector,” they explained. “Our most recent findings could have serious implications for the ongoing quest to combat world hunger.”

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Africa’s Major Crop: How Climate-Smart Agriculture is Enabling Farmers to Reap Record-High Cassava Yields Using Nuclear Science and Technology

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One of the most important food security crops in Africa is cassava, a root vegetable eaten by around half a billion people every day.

Africa produces nearly 200 million tonnes of cassava every year, around 60 per cent of the world’s total production. However, due to climate change, water scarcity and declining soil fertility, cassava yields are being adversely affected across the continent, causing many people to face food shortages and malnutrition.

Experts from the IAEA and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) are working to help African farmers mitigate these effects of climate change by sharing sustainable and efficient nutrient, water and soil management practices.

“Thanks to the knowledge we’ve gained here about climate-smart agricultural practices, we are now more informed and better equipped about cassava production and hope to use this knowledge to improve our yields,” said Misses Unu, a farmer from Nigeria, as he sat on the field after the harvest, looking at the piles of large cassava roots.

He and many other local farmers in over a dozen African countries participated in field demonstration trials run by the joint IAEA/FAO Centre in the IAEA’s Department of Nuclear Science and Applications. This was aimed at training them to grow more and better-quality cassava using nuclear and related climate-smart agricultural techniques. The trials were conducted from 2021 to 2023 and continue to take place in a number of countries.

Cassava is a starchy root vegetable that looks like a sweet potato. It is the third most important source of calories in the tropics after rice and maize. First brought to Africa by Portuguese merchants from Brazil in the 16th century, over the years it has become the continent’s most produced cash crop, deeply embedded in local cuisine. Literally, every part of this crop can be used. While the leaves are rich in protein, the root can be boiled, steamed, fried, cut into chips or turned into starch, flour or animal feed. Cassava is also relatively easy to grow as it adapts well to harsh environmental conditions, including high temperatures and drought. Due to its hardiness, farmers often think there is no need to apply nutrient and water to grow cassava, but after a few years, this leads to nutrient-mining and low crop productivity.

To enhance food security and increase the incomes of cassava farmers, the IAEA launched a technical cooperation project in 2020 in collaboration with local research institutes and farmer associations in Africa. Farmers in several African countries were able to double and even triple their cassava yields by applying nutrient, water and soil management practices, developed by experts from the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture.

Nuclear science gives clues to best farming practices

As part of the project, researchers and farmers in Africa were trained in the application of nuclear techniques for cassava production. For healthy plant formation, growth, photosynthesis and metabolism, cassava requires 17 essential nutrients, particularly nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus in a specific ratio.

Deficiencies in these nutrients in the soil result in poor yields, while excessive application of fertilizers containing these nutrients can pollute surface and ground water and increase emissions of greenhouse gases. Isotopic techniques can help assess plant uptake of added fertilizers and track their movement in the soil, plant, water and atmosphere.

“Nuclear science helps us better understand the exact amount of nutrients cassava needs and helps farmers apply fertilizers in the most effective way at the right stage of the plant’s life cycle,” said Mohammad Zaman, a soil scientist at the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre.

The training provided through the IAEA technical cooperation programme also included isotopic techniques using Nitrogen-15 (15N) to measure the efficiency of fertilizer use and cosmic ray neutron sensors, which help determine precisely how much nutrients and water cassava needs to thrive. “The data collected through these methods can guide farmers on how to apply nutrients and water more efficiently to minimize their wastage,” added Zaman.

A farmer’s guide to climate-smart agriculture

A farmer in Central Africa Republic is transporting cassava tubers after harvest. (Photo: M. Zaman/IAEA)

By applying climate-smart agricultural practices, cassava yields can be significantly improved. For example, around 13 per cent of improvement in yields comes from planting clean and healthy rooted cuttings, 17 per cent comes from enhancing soil fertility and 16 per cent comes from controlling insect pests and diseases.

To help farmers achieve better results, experts from the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture prepared step-by-step production guidelines which include information on selecting improved cassava varieties, preparing planting materials, managing soil and water resources, applying fertilizers and nutrients, controlling insects, pests and diseases, as well as harvesting and postharvest processing.

Subsequently, several training sessions on the application of these methods and on-farm trials were organised for farmers in Burundi, the Central African Republic, Ghana, Nigeria and Rwanda.

In Ghana, cassava is the most important staple crop. Its production contributes about 22 per cent of agricultural GDP and employs over 70 per cent of all farmers, making the country one of the top five cassava producers in Africa. The vegetable is traditionally cultivated by smallholder farmers, who use it to prepare a variety of traditional cassava dishes, including fufu, cassava dough, or banku, a mixture of cassava and corn doughs.

The average yield in Ghana is 14 to 21 tonnes per hectare. Through the technical cooperation project, the application of climate-smart agricultural practices recommended by the Joint IAEA and FAO Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture helped more than triple the yields, depending on the farming site, the variety and the amount of organic and chemical fertilizers applied. Field demonstration trials showed an increase from around 20 tonnes per hectare to over 70 tonnes.

Similar, and even higher results were observed in other countries. In Burundi, where conventional farming yields around 12 tonnes per hectare, nuclear-based methods helped to reap over 37 tonnes. In Rwanda, the use of climate-smart agriculture increased yields from less than 15 tonnes to almost 62 tonnes. In the Central African Republic, the field trials made it possible to harvest around 50 tonnes, compared with an average of 10 tonnes.

Cassava helps generate income, create jobs and guarantee food security for millions of Africans. “The IAEA will continue to help countries in applying nuclear science-enhanced farming techniques for growing cassava to strengthen economies, spur development and reinforce food security on the African continent,” Shaukat Abdulrazak, Director of the IAEA’s Technical Cooperation Division for Africa said.

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Kenyan sugarcane farmers urged to use top notch fertilizer application technologies

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kenyan sugarcane farmers have been challenged to embrace modern technologies on fertilizer distribution during planting and top dressing to ensure fertilizer is applied economically, accurately and uniformly to all crops to increase the tonnage per acre.

The general manager of West Kenya sugar ltd at Olepito Genald Okoth noted that despite the advancement of technology in the sugar sector, Busia farmers are yet to embrace it and have stuck to using broadcasting methods while applying fertilizer.

“Although modern equipment has existed for years, farmers in Busia are yet to fully utilise it and realise its benefits, use of Mayfield fertilizer distributor saves farmers on labour and minimizes pilferage due to poor supervision,” noted Okoth.

The MG said there has been a significant improvement on production for farmers who are already using the machine as the factory has witnessed some farmers grow from 15 tonnes per acre to 70 tonnes.

“It is important to use application methods that apply nutrients as close as possible to the roots in both the plant and the ratoon sugarcane crop,” he added.

His sentiment was echoed by the Agriculture officer in the company Titus Ondigo who said after research by the factory it was discovered that there was a lot of wastage by most farmers, a move that prompted them to incorporate experts to solve fertilizer management problems.

According to Ondigo with the machine, 100kg of fertilizer is enough to apply on one acre piece of sugarcane plantation as compared to the initial 150kg.

“Use of machines is cost-effective, particularly in developing countries where labour is more cost-effective than mechanical application. Unlike the use of hand, machines ensure uniform application of fertilizer that minimizes human errors,” said Odingo.

With modern agriculture being driven by continuous improvements in digital tools and data as well as collaborations among farmers and researchers across the public and private sectors, the company has prioritized the sensitization of farmers on timely and appropriate fertilizer application techniques.

“As a pilot program we are working with farmers, we supply fertilizer and experts to aid farmers on this. What we target is to maximize the output from the farm, as we help farmers realize profit,” said Okoth.

Patrick Masinde, a sugarcane farmer from Matayos Sub-County bared witness how the technology has aided him to realize over 60 tonnes in the last two harvests.

“Since the company advised me to use Mayfield machines my production has been on a rising trend, it allows for maximising the use of labour and optimising the fertilizer potential, thus ensuring improved crop quality and yield,” noted Masinde.

With time, agriculture continues to witness more technological advancements.  From use of tractors for ploughing, irrigation, soil sampling and now fertilizer application techniques all led to higher yields and improved quality of the food and fibre that was grown.

There is a need for urgent intervention in the sugar sector which has seen factories facing acute cane shortages even as the country continues to grapple with rising sugar prices.

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Crop protection: Largest ever electric drone authorized to operate in the US

Crop protection: Largest ever electric drone authorized to operate in the US

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Pyka, manufacturer of large-scale highly-automated electric aircraft for crop protection and cargo transport, has announced that it has received approval from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to operate its zero-emission highly-automated Pelican Spray aircraft for crop protection commercially nationwide.

With a gross weight of 1,125 lbs, Pyka’s highly-automated uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) is the largest ever to receive FAA authorization for commercial operation in the United States.

‍In conjunction with an agricultural aircraft operator certificate, this highly-anticipated FAA approval will enable Pyka to commence commercial operations in the United States, bringing unparalleled safety, environmental, and economic benefits to American farmers and the greater public. In 2020 alone, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported 54 aircraft accidents involving agricultural operations, including 12 fatal accidents resulting in 13 deaths.

The FAA’s action to authorize Pyka’s operations signifies the agency’s commitment to enabling larger and more advanced agricultural UA operations that will save lives and advance American leadership in the $60 billion global drone market.

‍With access to Pyka’s fixed-wing, highly-automated all-electric aerial application technology, American farmers and neighboring agricultural communities will benefit from a safer alternative to piloted spray aircraft, increased spray precision, reduced chemical usage costs, and minimized environmental impact.

Pyka’s Pelican Spray aircraft is the world’s largest and most productive agricultural spray drone and is already operational on farms in Costa Rica, Honduras, and Brazil.  It can carry up to 540 lbs (70 gallons) of liquid and spray up to 240 acres per hour.

“We are beyond thrilled to celebrate this commercial approval and regulatory milestone,” said Michael Norcia, Chief Executive Officer of Pyka. “Pyka’s aircraft provide an essential tool for protecting crops, unlocking cost savings for growers, and reducing our impact on the environment.

This commercial approval is the first step in enabling us to generate massive value for growers in the U.S., Latin America, and other markets we operate in, while also laying the operational and regulatory groundwork for eventual scaling into uncrewed cargo operations worldwide.”

‍“This is a significant win for Pyka and the agricultural community they serve. Among other safety and environmental benefits, the use of highly-automated UAS like the Pelican to perform potentially hazardous aircraft operations can reduce the number of pilot fatalities that occur each year in the aerial agricultural spraying industry,” said Lisa Ellman, Partner and Chair of Hogan Lovells’ Uncrewed Aircraft System Practice and leading policy advocate for the commercial UAS industry.

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