A lack of access to reliable information is one of the major challenges facing small-scale farmers in South Africa . The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research states that it is working to address this issue in collaboration with the relevant government departments.
The Head of the CSIRs Precision Agriculture Research Group, Professor Moses Azong Cho, says they have developed near-real-time systems that use satellite data to give farmers crucial information about their soil and crops.
Speaking at an event showcasing innovations driving sustainable development, the CSIR says new technology is helping to dramatically boost productivity for small-scale farmers in South Africa. Prof Moses Azong Cho says their systems help them manage their land more efficiently without relying on costly laboratory tests.