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1. A Call for Action: Implementing the African Certified Agronomy Advisory ProgramAgriculture remains the backbone of many African economies, providing livelihoods for millions while addressing food security concerns. However, productivity in the sector often lags due to various challenges, including limited access to modern agronomic practices and advisory services. In response to the pressing need for enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability in African countries, it is imparative to establish a standardized extension training program at the continental leve... C. Engoke, S. Zingore, I. Adolwa, S. Njoroge, K. Majumdar, J. Mutegi, E. Mugi, |
2. A Framework for a Crop Yield Prediction Model Based on Decision Tree and Min-max Scaling... S. Musa |
3. Advancements in Precision Agriculture Cutting-edge Solutions for Coccidiosis Disease Using Smart Diagnostic Systems... F. Bamigboye |
4. Advancing Precision Agriculture Education in Sub-Saharan Africa: Exploring Factors for Success and ObstaclesPrecision Agriculture (PA) is a critical tool for addressing food security challenges, yet its adoption in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) remains low. This study examines the role of education in advancing PA adoption, focusing on barriers and opportunities for integrating PA into the agricultural curriculum in SSA, with Nigerian institutions as a case study. A mixed-methods approach was employed, involving 227 respondents comprising faculty, undergraduate, and postgraduate students from tertiary i... T. Adefare |
5. An Ensemble-Based Deep Learning Approach for Early and Accurate Wheat Disease DetectionCrop diseases are the primarily cause for yield loss and a factor for food security issue around the globe. Crop diseases caused by pathogens pose a significant threat to global food security, the challenge become worst particularly in developing countries like Ethiopia. Rapid population growth and accurate disease identification is crucial for timely intervention and minimizing crop losses. However, traditional methods often rely on expert analysis, which can be time-consuming and resource-i... T. Aboneh, P. Rorissa |
6. Assessing of Soil Nutrients Using Laboratory and Remote Sensing Methods in Northern Guinea SavannahIntroduction Soil nutrients are essential for plant growth and development, making their assessment crucial for sustainable agriculture and environmental management. The northern Guinea savannah region, known for its agricultural potential, requires periodic monitoring of soil nutrient status to ensure optimal crop yields and maintain soil fertility. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of laboratory and remote sensing techniques in assessing soil nutrients in this region.... A. Rabiu garba |
7. Assessing The Potential Of Drone Remotely Sensed Data In Detecting The Soil Water Content, And Taro Leaf Chlorophyll Content Across Different Phenological Stages... R. Masemola |
8. Assessing the Potential of UAV-Acquired Multispectral Imagery Combined with Machine Learning Techniques in Mapping the Spatial Distribution of Taro And Sweet Potato in Smaller Holder Farms... M. Abrahams |
9. Assessing the Utility of Image Segmentation Techniques and Leaf Area Index in Improving Taro Yield Prediction Based on UAV-Acquired Multispectral Data in Smallholder Croplands... S. Buthelezi |
10. Assessment of Access to and Utilisation of Treadle and Hip Pump Technology by Farmers in Machakos County, KenyaMany climate-innovative agriculture practices can be used for climate mitigation and adaptation since farmers already feel the effects of climate change in their agricultural production. The broad range of climate-smart agriculture technologies requires a gender-responsive assessment in design and dissemination to enable access and utilization among its intended users. Women and youth farmers in developing countries have always been disadvantaged in access and utilization of agriculture techn... T. Gitau |
11. Assessment of Nitrogen Fertilization in Tunisian Wheat Production Using Proximal and Remote SensingThe cereal sector in Tunisia covers wide areas in the country from sub-humid to semi-arid zones; most of the fields are rainfed. The sector is suffering from climate change impacts in term of rainfall amount and pattern. Water management policy in the country prioritizes allocating surface water to domestic uses than irrigation. On the other hand irrigation using groundwater (e.g. in Kairouan) continue to over use the water table with an average drawdown of 5 m/year. Because of this, low effi... M. Mechri, O. Alshihabi, H. Angar, I. Nouiri, M. Landolsi, M. Söderström, K. Persson, S. Phillips |
12. Automated Weed Controller and Cultivator... |
13. Benefits of Precision Agriculture in Sugarcane Farming: A case of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa... N. Gumede |
14. Capacity Building of African Young Scientists in Precision Agriculture Through Cross Regional Academic MobilityClimate change is one of the main problems affecting food and nutrition globally, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Adapting to and/or mitigating climate change in the agri-food sector requires merging information technologies, genetic innovations, and sustainable farming practices to empower the agricultural youth sector to create effective and locally adapted solutions. Precision Agriculture applied to crops (PAAC), has been advocated as a strategic solution to mitigate/adapt agriculture ... K. Frimpong, V. Fassinou hotegni, A. Karangwa, A. Manyatsi, M. Amri, D. Cammarano, C. Lesueur, J. Taylor, S. Phillips, E.G. Achigan-dako, G. Houessou, O. Linkpon, D. Tchokponhoué, C. Houdegbe, C. Adje |
15. Comparative Assessment of Landuse Landcover Changes on Water Quality of River Kaduna from 2012-2020 at Wuya, Niger State, NigeriaThe study investigates the effects of land use land cover changes on water quality of River Kaduna from 2012-2020 at Wuya, Niger state, Nigeria using Landsat 7 imagery. Five classes of LULC types where selected and used as basis for classification. Also five (5) sampling stations selected on the water body for water quality analysis which were collected once monthly for a period of six months from February 2020 to July 2020. The results of LULC classification depicts an increase in water body... I. Saratu usman, F. Yusufu |
16. Comparative Study on Precision Nitrogen Management for Wheat Using Greenseeker, Chlorophyll Meter and Leaf Color Chart Based on Spectral Characteristics of LeavesCollecting results on nitrogen (N) uptake throughout the growing season using tools such as GreenSeeker optical sensor, chlorophyll meter and Leaf Color Chart (LCC) holds great promise for optimizing N fertilizer management in cereal crops. To investigate this further, field experiments were conducted over two consecutive winter seasons (2017/2018 and 2018/2019) on wheat at the Experimental Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, located in Giza Governorate, Egypt. The primary o... A. Soaud, E. El-metwally , A. Ali, R. Sayed |
17. Design and Development of a LoRa Communication System for Scalable Smart Irrigation SystemsSmart irrigation is a promising tool to optimize irrigation water use but is still faced with challenges related to usability and applicability attributed to several constraints such as high initial costs, complex user interface, poor connectivity, limited farm coverage, etc. This study aimed to solve some of these issues through the development and testing of a LoRa communication system using a Raspberry Pi 4, LoRa HAT concentrator, and Strega smart valve at the Makerere University Agricultu... J. Wanyama , J. Ikabat, I. Kabenge, P. Hess, P. Nakawuka, E. Bwambale , J. Muyonga, S. Felicioni, A. Bühlmann, T. Anken |
18. Development and Validation of an Algorithm for Optical Sensor-based Nitrogen Fertilization for Durum Wheat in Central Ethiopia I. Algorithm DevelopmentMonitoring in-season nitrogen (N) management using proximal optical sensors is often considered highly cost-effective and efficient. Developing a successful sensor-based algorithm to optimize in-season N application for durum wheat could enhance productivity and nitrogen use efficiency. This study aimed to develop and validate a sensor-based algorithm for N fertilization of durum wheat in central Ethiopia. The developed algorithm is based on the prediction of total N uptake from normalized di... S. Endris, T. Mesfin, O. Atnafu, S. Tamiru |
19. Effects of Adopting Fertilizer Management Practices on Yield in Maize-Based Systems of Embu County: an Instrumental Variable Regression ApproachFertilizers play an important role in maize production and global food security, contributing significantly to yield increases. However, continuous rise in fertilizer prices has resulted in inflated costs, leading to unaffordability and suboptimal utilization. Inefficient use by farmers has hindered yield potential and increased environmental risks. Additionally, farmers' limited knowledge and awareness of optimal nutrient requirements, timing, application rates, and placement techn... M. Gitau, R.A. Nyikal, , O. Kitonyo |
20. Empower Farmers to Sustainably Agricultural Productivity in West Africa: FeSeRWAM, a Digital Advisor for FarmersMany smallholder farmers in West Africa have a common challenge which is their inability to access the right information on appropriate agricultural inputs and practices to unlock existing potential, make better decisions and get more dividends on their investments. Supported by USAID, Feed the Future "Enhancing Growth through Regional Agricultural Input Systems (EnGRAIS/IFDC) and Partnership for Agricultural Research, Education and Development (PAIRED) have developed and deployed a... J. Toviho, I.E. Brou, K. Kouassi |
21. Empowering Smallholder Farmers Precision Agriculture Models in Africa (a Case Study of Nigeria)... S. Popoola |
22. Enhancing the Estimation of Equivalent Water Thickness in Neglected and Underutilized Taro Crops Using UAV Acquired Multispectral Thermal Image Data and Index-Based Image SegmentationDue to the impact of climate variability and change, smallholder farmers are increasingly faced with the challenge of sustaining crop production. Taro, recognized as a future smart neglected and underutilized crop due to its resilience to abiotic stresses, has emerged as valuable for diversifying crop farming systems and sustaining local livelihoods. Nonetheless, a significant research gap exists in spatially explicit information on the water status of taro, contributing to the paradox of its... S. Ndlovu, J. Odindi, M. Sibanda, O. Mutanga |
23. Evaluating Soil Organic Matter Under a No-Till System Using Digital Sensors (EM38 and MSP3)Agriculture, especially in no-till systems, plays a crucial role in ensuring global food security. The pressure on agricultural lands due to a growing population and climate change necessitates innovative solutions. Proximal soil sensing using electromagnetic induction (EMI) and electrical conductivity (ECa) sensors has gained prominence. These technologies provide rapid, non-destructive measurements of soil properties, offering advantages over remote sensing and laboratory analyses... H. Hajjaj, K. Ibno namr, E. Abdellah , C. El khalfi |
24. Evaluating the Impact of Seasonal Weather Variability on Soil Moisture Conservation Under Mulching Systems for Date Palm Production in OasesSoil moisture is an essential parameter that governs crop production and soil health. Therefore, the critical role of soil moisture cannot be overstated in sustaining agriculture, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. Date palm production not only plays a vital role in economic and nutritional purposes in many arid areas but also plays important roles in creating favorable microclimates for agriculture and protecting lands from desertification. This study proposes an innovative appr... U. Safi, O. Abdallah , A. Sabri |
25. Factors Influencing Farmers’ Decisions on Timing and Application Rates of Irrigation Water in Semi-Arid Regions: A Case-Study of Mwala, Machakos County, KenyaThis study investigates the factors influencing farmers’ decisions on water application in arid and semi-arid regions, where water shortages are prevalent due to low and unreliable rainfall. The research involved interviewing 41 farmers registered under the Equity Group Foundation extension scheme, focusing on their irrigation scheduling techniques, timing, application rates, and other factors such as plant and soil conditions. The study also involved laboratory analysis of soil samples... D. Mongína, C.K. Gachene, G. Kironchi |
26. Grain Yield and Nitrogen Uptake of Maize (Zea Mays L.) As Affected by Soil Management Practices and Their Interaction on Cambisols and ChernozemAlthough numerous factors contribute to wide yield gaps, low external inputs, particularly N, and poor cropping practices such as soil tillage and monocropping are among the major factors affecting low maize production. In view of this, field experiments were implemented on two sites with Cambisols and Chernozem soil types in two consecutive years to evaluate the impacts of different soil management practices on the grain yield and quality, nitrogen uptake and selected soil properties. A thre... A. Nigussie |
27. High Resolution Mapping of Long-Term Soil Organic Carbon Stocks and Changes in MoroccoSoil organic carbon (SOC) as a major part of the soil organic matter (SOM) is important for soil productivity stability and climate change mitigation. Current regional SOC maps are not detailed enough and thus, do not support decision-making at farm and landscape and do not track carbon long-term changes. Using large soil dataset, multispectral satellite data, climate data and machine learning , we created a high-resolution topsoil (0-30cm) map of Morocco and estimated t... B. Gerrard, E. Ben-dor, M. Bayad |
28. High-Throughput Field Phenotyping of Ascochyta Blight Disease Severity in Chickpea Using Multispectral ImagingAscochyta blight (AB) caused by Ascochyta rabiei (Pass.) Labr. is an important and widespread disease of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) worldwide. The disease is particularly severe under cool and humid weather conditions, leading to crop losses at all stages of chickpea growth. Screening for resistant cultivars remains the most effective, economical and ecological method of disease management. However, traditional phenotyping methods that relying on trained experts are... F. Ibn el mokhtar, S. Krimibencheqroun , , A. Harkani , H. Houmairi , O. Idrissi , E. Abdellah , E. Abdellah |
29. Human-Powered Proximal Soil Sensing for Small FarmsOver the past 25 years several on-the-go proximal soil sensors have been developed, commercialized, and adopted by crop consultants, retailers, and growers for mapping large fields and farms. These technologies are used to map soil texture--which impacts water and nutrient holding capacity, organic matter--a measure of soil health and productivity, and pH—which directly affects nutrient availability. Typically, these sensors are deployed with tractors or other off-road vehicles, u... E. Lund |
30. Influence of Mulched-drip Irrigation System on Yield and Physiological Attributes of Pepper Varieties in Southwest, Nigeria... I. Kehinde |
31. Inter-Country Cooperation Can Transform Precision Agriculture Education and Research in AfricaThere is a significant potential to transform the productivity and profitability of African agricultural systems through integration of precision agriculture technologies and practices. Implementing smart agriculture solutions in Africa, both in terms of policies and program design, implementation and monitoring and evaluation requires cooperation among the African nations. Inter-country cooperation will enable leveraging the available good and diverse capacities for develop... K. Frimpong, V. Aduramigba-modupe, V. Fassinou hotegni, M. Mechri |
32. Investigating the Interaction Between Soil Moisture and Clay Content for Enhanced Soil Moisture Prediction: A Lab-Based Approach with Implications for African Agriculture... Y. Atyosi |
33. Keynote from OCP Nutricrops... |
34. Land Suitability Prediction for Maize Production in Southwest Nigeria Using Geographical Information System and Mostlimiting Soil Native Fertility Factors... T. Olutoberu |
35. Modeling of the Optimal Parameters, Improvement and Performance Evaluation of Marc Engine Driven Common Bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris L.) Thresher in EthiopiaThis executive summary provides an overview of the research study conducted on modeling the optimal parameters, improvement, and performance evaluation of the engine-driven bean thresher developed by the Melkassa Agricultural Research Center (MARC) in Ethiopia. The study aimed to enhance the efficiency and productivity of the bean thresher, contribute to sustainable agricultural practices, promote technology adoption, and support the economic development of the agricultural sector. The re... B. Zewdie gebrekidan |
36. Monitoring Grazing Goats' Behavior Using Sensors and Satellite Remote SensingThe recent development of new methods for remotely observing animal behavior using electronic sensors such as global positioning systems (GPS) and three-axis accelerometers to monitor and record behavior at different spatial and temporal scales presents real opportunities for better understanding and interpreting the behaviors of grazing animals. The goal of this study was to distinguish different behavioral categories of grazing goats by combining GPS collars, accelerometers, and satellite r... Y. Chebli, S. El otmani, J. Cabaraux, M. Chentouf , A. Keli, F. Elame |
37. Multivariate Regional Deep Learning Prediction of Soil Properties from Near-Infrared, Mid-Infrared and Their Combined SpectraArtificial neural network (ANN) models have been successfully used in infrared spectroscopy research for the prediction of soil properties. They often show better performance than conventional methods such as partial least squares regression (PLSR). In this study we develop and evaluate a multivariate extension of ANN for predicting correlated soil properties: total carbon (C), total nitrogen (N), clay, silt, and sand contents, using visible near-infrared (vis-NIR), mid-infrared (MIR) or comb... R. Nyawasha |
38. On-Farm Experimentation Process Triggers Farmers’ Zeal to Test Technologies in Maize Systems of Embu County, KenyaTo faster farmer participation, knowledge transfer and innovation among all actors, there the need to rethink the process of conducting research. Initiated in 2022, the African Plant Nutrition Research Fund maize project (APNRF maize) set out validate a package of soil moisture and fertilizer nitrogen management practices, and to track farmer adoption of better agronomic practices as supported by data through on-farm experimentation (OFE) process. Prior to the establishment of experiments, fa... O. Kitonyo |
39. Optimizing Durum Wheat Nitrogen Nutrition Index (NNI) Prediction Through Sentinel-2 Vegetation Index IntegrationNitrogen is crucial for durum wheat growth and productivity, but excess or insufficient levels can harm both the environment and farmers' finances. Remote sensing offers rapid, cost-effective, and nondestructive ways to assess crop nutrition, with vegetation indices (VIs) indicating plant health. This study aims to enhance the accuracy of durum wheat nitrogen status prediction by investigating modified formulations of Nitrogen Nutrition Index (NNI) coupled with various vegetation indices ... N. Boughattas, K. Marwa, Z. Mohamed, A. Sawsen, A. Soumaya, H. Hafedh, H. Imen, T. Youssef |
40. Optimizing Maize Production Through Minimum Tillage in Conservation Agriculture Systems: Evidence from Malawi's LowlandsSustainable intensification in agricultural systems has been implemented and promoted across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) as a strategy for addressing low crop productivity often resulting in widespread food and nutritional insecurity. This study sought to assess the productivity potential of conservation agriculture (CA) cropping systems and associated crop establishment techniques in terms of grain, protein and energy yield. An on-station trial was implemented at Chitala Research Station in Mal... D. Nyamayevu, I. Nyagumbo, W. Liang , R. Li |
41. Policy Implications of the Adoption of Precision Agriculture in Nigeria... E. Oyedepo |
42. Predicting the Distribution of Groundnut Phytopathogens Under Current and Future Climatic Scenarios in ZimbabweGroundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important oil crop with immense nutritional and economic benefits, but its productivity in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is threatened by a plethora of phytopathogens such as groundnut rosette virus, Alternaria leafspots, early leafspots and peanut rust. In Zimbabwe, ecological niches and epidemiology of these pathogenic microbial strains, particularly under the current and predicted climate change scenarios, are still poorly understood. Yet, this inf... H. Chinwa, C.N. Kamutando |
43. Rainwater Harvesting and Nutrient Intensification in Maize-Legume Farming Systems in Semi-Arid ZimbabweAgricultural productivity in Zimbabwe is declining mainly due to climate change and inherently poor soil fertility. The situation is worsened by the high cost of fertilizers beyond the reach of many smallholder farmers. In response to these challenges, most smallholder farmers are implementing either rainwater harvesting (RWH) or integrated soil fertility management (ISFM). This study sought to investigate the role of integrating the tied-contour RWH (TC-RWH) technique and ISFM on soil moistu... E. Mutsamba-magwaza, D. Nyamayevu, G. Nyamadzawo, R. Mandumbu, I. Nyagumbo |
44. Real-Time Moisture Control in Irrigation Systems for Water Use Efficiency and Climate Change Resilience. A ReviewDue to the increasing water scarcity and uncertainties of climate change, improving crop water use efficiency and productivity, at the same time minimizing detrimental effects on the environment to meet the world's rising food demand. Thus, is necessary to adopt innovative irrigation strategies, such as drip irrigation. Smart irrigation has a potential of improving water use efficiency in precision agriculture. Conventionally, irrigation systems rely on heuristic methods in order to sched... D. Kindikiza |
45. Smartsprout Leveraging Iot for Sustainable and Efficient Smart Irrigation Systems in Africa... P. Oyedepo |
46. Sustainability of Maize Production with Farmers’ Practices and Redesigned Crop Management Practices in CRV and Jimma of EthiopiaMulti-criteria assessment of crop management practices is vital for sustainable crop production and environmental safety. In this study, sustainability of maize production with farmer’s practice (FP), redesigned plant density plus current fertilizer use (RDCF), current plant density plus redesigned fertilizer use (CDRF), and redesigned plant density and redesigned fertilizer use (RDRF) were assessed at farm level based on social, agronomic, economic and environmental principles in Centr... W. Kenea, A.N. Woldekristos, T. Balemi |
47. The Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Remotely Sensed Data and Biophysical Variables to Predict Maize Above-Ground Biomass (AGB) in Small-Scale Farming SystemsConsidering the current and projected increase in human population, approaches to optimize crop productivity to meet the rising demand are paramount. Timely and accurate maize Above Ground Biomass (AGB) measurements allow for development of models that can precisely predict yield prior to harvesting, useful for food production management and sustenance. The development of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) as a new generation of robust remote sensing platforms, mounted with high-resolution senso... C. Dlamini, J. Odindi, O. Mutanga, T. Matongera |
48. The Value and Potential of On-Farm Experimentation to Catalyze Agricultural TransformationOn-farm experimentation (OFE), which inculcates farmers’ agency in knowledge discovery, has the potential to support and accelerate transformative agronomy at scale. The OFE process within the Nutrient-Catalyzed Agricultural Transformation in Africa (NUTCAT) project, encompasses farmer engagements, set-up of simple, easy-to-understand treatment designs, and contextual analysis of the data to enhance the relevance of the results to farmers. Ultimately, it is envisaged that this process w... I. Adolwa, J. Muthamia, C. Lutomia, , S. Cook |
49. Toward Precision Agriculture by Assessing FAO Soil Data Accuracy with Localised Soil Mapping in Mid-Western UgandaProper soil mapping remains a major input for efforts that aim at developing context specific soil and crop management. Soil maps often enable policy makers and other agricultural extension programs to establish the suitability of land for various production systems. Currently, most soil maps have been developed basing in the FAO soil data bases at a scale of 1:50,000 yet farmers and other local land users require fine scales to guide decision in the use of fertilizers and selection of ... P. Musinguzi, E. Ojambo |
50. Upland Rice Yield Response to Soil Moisture Variability with Depth Across Ferralsols and Gleysols in Western UgandaSoil moisture is a vital factor in boosting rice productivity by influencing the growth of healthy plants. In mid-western districts like Kikuube where rainfall is unpredictable, maintaining optimal soil moisture differs between a bountiful harvest and crop failure. Effective soil moisture management leads to improved water use efficiency, allowing crops to withstand periods of drought. This study assessed upland yield response to soil moisture variations with soil depth in Ferralsols and Gley... T. Matila, P. Tamale |
51. Use of Digital Extension Tools for Agricultural Information Management Among Cassava Value Chain Actors in Ibadan Metropolis, Oyo State, NigeriaPoor coverage of farmers by extension services and other limitations necessitates adapting the agricultural process to new opportunities, including digital extension. This is more important for cassava value chain actors given the recognition of the crop for food security in Nigeria and its widespread promotion by several local and regional development interventions. Therefore, the use of digital extension tools for agricultural information management among cassava value chain actors in... O. Fadairo, A.M. Durojaiye, R. Adegbayi |
52. Use of “FertiEdge” Application for Optimizing Wheat FertilizationWheat is a crop of global importance, and effective fertilization is crucial to maximize yield and quality. Traditional methods of fertilization often result in under- or over-application of nutrients, resulting in environmental problems and suboptimal crop yields. FertiEdge is a digital application that provides accurate fertilization recommendations based on real-time data, it’s an innovative tool designed to enhance the efficiency of wheat fertilization. This study evaluates its impa... I. Sbai, F. Sehbaoui, M. Hmimou |