{"id":17882,"date":"2019-02-01T21:41:35","date_gmt":"2019-02-02T02:41:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mdpair.com\/drones-the-new-scouts-for-diseases-pests-on-the-farm\/"},"modified":"2019-02-01T21:41:35","modified_gmt":"2019-02-02T02:41:35","slug":"drones-the-new-scouts-for-diseases-pests-on-the-farm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mdpair.com\/?p=17882","title":{"rendered":"Drones, the new scouts for diseases, pests on the farm"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4>In Summary<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Late blight is a highly contagious disease as it quickly spreads from one farm to another. The cutting edge technology offered by the drone has put farmers ahead, enabling them contain pests and diseases thanks to early detection and control.<\/li>\n<li>According to experts, drone\u2019s precision at detecting pests and diseases is over 10 times accurate compared to the human eye.<\/li>\n<li>The drone, which is delivering a whole new perspective of crop disease and pest early warning system to farmers, has brought new hope to many.<\/li>\n<li>Green means the crop has no stress, yellow the crop has scanty stress while red indicates that the crop has too much stress.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>  Advertisement             <\/p>\n<figure> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mdpair.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/obi150-1.jpg\" \/> <\/figure>\n<p> <strong>By LEOPOLD OBI<\/strong><br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nation.co.ke\/authors\/1959272-2381134-view-asAuthor-ntx0wb\/index.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">More by this Author <\/a> <\/p>\n<p>On a windy day high up in the hilly Kibirichia village, Meru County, Susan Naftali observes an eagle-sized unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) hovering low above his field.<!--more--><\/p>\n<p>The drone, which is delivering a whole new perspective of crop disease and pest early warning system to farmers, has brought new hope to many in Ntugi, Naare, Kibirichia and Timau.<\/p>\n<p>Susan, a mother of three, who grows potatoes and wheat, each on an acre, said before the arrival of the technology in 2017, she only managed four bags of potatoes.<\/p>\n<p>Like many farmers in Kibirichia, her farm was attacked by late blight, which severely affected her, but she had no recourse due to lack of any means to detect the diseases early enough.<\/p>\n<p>Late blight is a highly contagious disease as it quickly spreads from one farm to another. The cutting edge technology offered by the drone has put farmers ahead, enabling them contain pests and diseases thanks to early detection and control.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAfter the drone flew over my wheat and potato farm, I was informed that the former had been attacked by thrips while the later late blight disease,\u201d Susan said, adding she was advised on which pesticide to use.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nation.co.ke\/business\/seedsofgold\/Youth-women-hold-agribusiness-power\/2301238-4721424-istyoez\/index.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Youth, women hold agribusiness power<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nation.co.ke\/business\/seedsofgold\/smart-farming-will-overcome-climate-change\/2301238-4895950-tnx7hp\/index.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Only smart farming will overcome climate change: Experts<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nation.co.ke\/business\/Gadgets-get-smarter-at-CES-show\/996-3019850-e8p81jz\/index.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Gadgets get smarter, friendlier at electronics show<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nation.co.ke\/business\/Africa-aviation-meeting-to-discuss-open-skies\/996-4743326-cxqgogz\/index.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Kenya to host African aviation players for open skies talks<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>According to experts, drone\u2019s precision at detecting pests and diseases is over 10 times accurate compared to the human eye.<\/p>\n<p>The drones are capable of collecting very high resolution images with very numerous details, thus, they are useful in mapping and surveying farms.<\/p>\n<p>The use of drone in disease surveillance in the area is a pilot project initiated by Netherlands Development Agency (SNV) in partnership with Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture Technology (JKUAT) and Third Eye Company, a tech solution provider.<\/p>\n<p>The drones are mounted with a near-infrared sensor (NIR) capable of detecting pest and diseases, 10 days before it becomes visible to an agronomist or an extension worker.<\/p>\n<p>The gadgets ability to diagnose stress levels in plants at early stages, according to experts, helps in minimising insecticide use.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is easier to plan with data gathered from drones whether there will be any changes in production,\u201d says Prof Bancy Mati, director and founder Water Research and Resource Centre at JKUAT, which is offering technical scientific research part of the project. Yvonne Mukami, an extension officer at Third Eye Company, says the sensor can take up to 20 samples in one day.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn a day, we can make about eight to 15 visits to farmers,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n<p>Mukami explained that drone sensors use infra-red spectrum of light and other configuration called Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to give the intensity of stress in the crop.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNDVI has four main colours; blue, green, red and yellow, which are used to outline the degree of crop stresses,\u201d she notes.<\/p>\n<p>Green means the crop has no stress, yellow the crop has scanty stress while red indicates that the crop has too much stress.<\/p>\n<p>Blue appears where there is no vegetation or where the vegetation is very small or where there are buildings. \u201cCaptured images are processed through image composite editor that helps to stitch them together to form a single map,\u201d explains Mukami. After being edited, the images are viewed and analysed. \u201cThe images are then finally broken down to a format that the farmer can easily understand,\u201d says Mukami.<\/p>\n<p>Dr James Messo, the chairman of soil, water and environmental engineering department at JKUAT, says one way of increasing a farm\u2019s productivity to enhance food security is through early detection of diseases and good use of water.<\/p>\n<p>Messo explains that drone technology\u2019s ability to reveal whether individual plants are water-stressed, nutritionally deficient or under attack by insects or viruses helps in enhancing crop management advisory.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cUsing near-infrared, farmers are able to predict pest and disease attacks, identify plant stresses like water and humidity 10-14 days ahead of time,\u201d says Messo.<\/p>\n<p>He said the 10-day warning could prevent large-scale crop losses. Dr Messo says that there is early indication that the project is working. \u201cWith this project, we are able to reduce the impact of pests and this means we can help farmers move out of poverty,\u201d says Messo.<\/p>\n<p>Dr Abraham Mehari, deputy project manager, SNV smart-water for agriculture programme, says the drone technology aims to entice youth into agricultural extension services.<\/p>\n<h3>Related Stories<\/h3>\n<h6>20\/8\/2018<\/h6>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nation.co.ke\/business\/seedsofgold\/Youth-women-hold-agribusiness-power\/2301238-4721424-istyoez\/index.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Youth, women hold agribusiness power<\/a><\/h3>\n<figure> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mdpair.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/agriimg.jpg\" \/> <\/figure>\n<p> Women make up half of the population and provide 40 per cent of the labour in crop production in Africa. Moreover, Africa is a continent of young people.<\/p>\n<li>\n<figure> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mdpair.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/climateimg.jpg\" \/> <\/figure>\n<p> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nation.co.ke\/business\/seedsofgold\/smart-farming-will-overcome-climate-change\/2301238-4895950-tnx7hp\/index.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">15\/12\/2018 Only smart farming will overcome climate change: Experts<\/a><\/li>\n<li>\n<figure> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mdpair.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GADGETS_PIX.jpg\" \/> <\/figure>\n<p> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nation.co.ke\/business\/Gadgets-get-smarter-at-CES-show\/996-3019850-e8p81jz\/index.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">3\/1\/2016 Gadgets get smarter, friendlier at electronics show<\/a><\/li>\n<li>\n<figure> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mdpair.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/arlines.jpg\" \/> <\/figure>\n<p> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nation.co.ke\/business\/Africa-aviation-meeting-to-discuss-open-skies\/996-4743326-cxqgogz\/index.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">3\/9\/2018 Kenya to host African aviation players for open skies talks<\/a><\/li>\n<li>\n<figure> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mdpair.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/dronepix.jpg\" \/> <\/figure>\n<p> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nation.co.ke\/business\/996-2095998-14sn2cfz\/index.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">2\/12\/2013 Amazon to deliver your online orders using drones<\/a><\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<h3> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nation.co.ke\/news\/Wambui-took-nine-killer-blows-to-the-head--was-suffocated\/1056-4962586-oaunl6z\/index.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Autopsy: Wambui took nine killer blows to the head, was suffocated<\/a><\/h3>\n<figure> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nation.co.ke\/news\/Wambui-took-nine-killer-blows-to-the-head--was-suffocated\/1056-4962586-oaunl6z\/index.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mdpair.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/MATPIC.jpg\" alt=\"Mary Kamangara and her husband Joseph Kori\" \/> <\/a> <\/figure>\n<p> Detectives uncover crucial leads that could lead them to the killers.<\/p>\n<h3> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nation.co.ke\/news\/Why-your-favourite-imported-brands-are-not-on-the-shelves\/1056-4962520-wdwr58z\/index.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Why your favourite imported brands are not on the shelves<\/a><\/h3>\n<figure> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nation.co.ke\/news\/Why-your-favourite-imported-brands-are-not-on-the-shelves\/1056-4962520-wdwr58z\/index.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mdpair.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Supermarketpx.jpg\" alt=\"A supermarket.\" \/> <\/a> <\/figure>\n<p> Consumers will have to dig deeper into their pockets to buy goods.<\/p>\n<h5><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nation.co.ke\/news\/It-s-double-trouble-for-victims-when-they-turn-to-suspects\/1056-4962468-i2l6wv\/index.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">It\u2019s double trouble for victims when they turn to suspects<\/a><\/h5>\n<h5><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nation.co.ke\/news\/Maraga-anti-graft-plans-take-shape\/1056-4962068-3mtt8f\/index.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Maraga&#039;s anti-graft plans take shape<\/a><\/h5>\n<h5><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nation.co.ke\/news\/education\/Amina-defends-UoN-appointments-as-crisis-rages-on\/2643604-4962008-u443naz\/index.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Push and pull over UoN appointments persists<\/a><\/h5>\n<h5><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nation.co.ke\/news\/world\/Marauding-leopard-causes-panic-in-Indian-city\/1068-4962066-12swypt\/index.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Stray leopard goes on rampage in India: PHOTOS<\/a><\/h5>\n<h5><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nation.co.ke\/counties\/kirinyaga\/Agnes-Gachoki-resigns-as-health-minister-\/3444752-4962144-dq9o8v\/index.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Waiguru\u2019s Health minister resigns<\/a><\/h5>\n<h5><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nation.co.ke\/news\/NTSA-officials-Court-Dusit-Attack\/1056-4961690-a6ci6i\/index.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Six more NTSA officials in court <\/a><\/h5>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In Summary<br \/>\nLate blight is a highly contagious disease as it quickly spreads from one farm to another. The cutting edge technology offered by the drone has put farmers ahead, enabling them contain pests and diseases thanks to early detection and control.According to experts, drone\u2019s precision at detecting pests and diseases is over 10 times accurate compared to the human eye.The drone, which is delivering a whole new perspective of crop disease and pest early warning system to farmers, has brought new hope to many.Green means the crop has no stress, yellow the crop has scanty stress while red indicates that the crop has too much stress.<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p>By LEOPOLD OBI<br \/>\nMore by this Author<\/p>\n<p>On a windy day high up in the hilly Kibirichia village, Meru County, Susan Naftali observes an eagle-sized unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) hovering low above his field.<br \/>\nThe drone, which is delivering a whole new perspective of crop disease and pest early warning system to farmers, has brought new hope t..<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":17883,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17882","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mdpair.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17882","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mdpair.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mdpair.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mdpair.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mdpair.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=17882"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/mdpair.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17882\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mdpair.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=17882"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mdpair.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=17882"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mdpair.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=17882"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}