scholarly journals IoT Sensing Platform as a Driver for Digital Farming in Rural Africa

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (12) ◽  
pp. 3511 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Oliveira-Jr ◽  
Carlos Resende ◽  
André Pereira ◽  
Pedro Madureira ◽  
João Gonçalves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Sensing Platform ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Rural Africa ◽  
Do It Yourself ◽  
Software Modularity ◽  
Small Scale Farmers ◽  
Digital Farming

Small-scale farming can benefit from the usage of information and communication technology (ICT) to improve crop and soil management and increase yield. However, in order to introduce digital farming in rural areas, related ICT solutions must be viable, seamless and easy to use, since most farmers are not acquainted with technology. With that in mind, this paper proposes an Internet of Things (IoT) sensing platform that provides information on the state of the soil and surrounding environment in terms of pH, moisture, texture, colour, air temperature, and light. This platform is coupled with computer vision to further analyze and understand soil characteristics. Moreover, the platform hardware is housed in a specifically designed robust casing to allow easy assembly, transport, and protection from the deployment environment. To achieve requirements of usability and reproducibility, the architecture of the IoT sensing platform is based on low-cost, off-the-shelf hardware and software modularity, following a do-it-yourself approach and supporting further extension. In-lab validations of the platform were carried out to finetune its components, showing the platform’s potential for application in rural areas by introducing digital farming to small-scale farmers, and help them delivering better produce and increasing income.

scholarly journals A review of artisanal cheese making: An African perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 296-309
Author(s):  
F. Nyamakwere ◽  
G. Esposito ◽  
K. Dzama ◽  
E. Raffrenato
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Fermented Milk ◽  
Local Economy ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Cheese Making ◽  
Production And Consumption ◽  
African Perspective ◽  
Small Scale Farmers

Artisanal cheeses and other fermented milk products have long been part of the diet of African rural communities. Cheese is a source of nutrients that are essential to the development and growth of children in rural areas, where intake of amino acids, vitamin A, vitamin B12, calcium, phosphate, and polyunsaturated fatty acids may be limited. Wara, Karish, Ayib, Takammart, Wagashi, Domiati, and Ras are prominent cheeses of African origin. Artisanal cheese making should be expanded to improve people’s nutritional status at low cost, stimulate the local economy, and empower small-scale farmers. This review firstly gives an overview of artisanal cheese production and consumption, and evaluates opportunities and challenges, while focusing on an African perspective. Secondly, it provides an insight into strategies that could improve cheese making at small-scale level. Possible areas of research and knowledge gaps are highlighted, particularly ways of improving cheese quality and safety.

MECHANIZATION OF POTATO GRADING ON SMALL-SCALE FARMS: A CASE STUDY FROM PERU

2005 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. P. BUTLER ◽  
T. BERNET ◽  
K. MANRIQUE
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Market Integration ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Agricultural Products ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Critical Aspect ◽  
Small Scale Farmers ◽  
Important Cash Crop

Potatoes are an important cash crop for small-scale producers worldwide. The move away from subsistence to commercialized farming, combined with the rapid growth in demand for processed agricultural products in developing countries, implies that small-scale farmers and researchers alike must begin to respond to these market changes and consider post-harvest treatment as a critical aspect of the potato farming system. This paper presents and assesses a low cost potato-grading machine that was designed explicitly to enable small-scale potato growers to sort tubers by size for supply to commercial processors. The results of ten experiments reveal that the machine achieves an accuracy of sort similar to commercially available graders. The machine, which uses parallel conical rollers, has the capacity to grade different tuber shapes and to adjust sorting classes, making it suitable for locations with high potato diversity. Its relatively low cost suggests that an improved and adapted version of this machine might enhance market integration of small-scale potato producers not only in Peru, but in other developing countries as well.

scholarly journals Insects and Their Products as a Potential Source of Food, Feed and Economic Security: A Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-80
Author(s):  
S. A Dattijo
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Animal Feed ◽  
The United States ◽  
Economic Security ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Potential Source ◽  
Global Commerce ◽  
Small Scale Farmers ◽  
High Level

Due to many ways by which they are exploited, insects and their products could be a very big business. They are sold for agricultural protection, crop pollination, as well as human, livestock and pet nutrition. In addition, their products are sold for pharmaceuticals, health, and the implements for research, art works and a host of other uses. This review focused on commercialization of insects and their products with a view of sharing existing knowledge on global commerce of various insects and their products. Available literature revealed that there was an increase in demand for edible insects in the United States of America and prices were as high as $150 kg-1. Similarly, between 2010 and 2015, animal feed market in the United Kingdom grew at 3.5% annually and is currently worth £5 billion. Because of its scarcity, high demand, and recognition of its healing properties, royal jelly, one of the most sought after from bee products commands astronomical price internationally. In addition, no any other industry could generate high level of employment as sericulture, especially in rural areas where it takes 11 workdays to produce a Kg of raw silk. The contribution insects and their products can give to improve the economy of a developing country such as Nigeria is considerable, but underestimated or neglected. Insects are unlikely to make a major contribution in the near future, but the idea that they are potential source of overcoming the economic problems is not as farfetched as it seemed. Therefore, there is the need to adopt an added value approach to insects and their products and sensitize as well as encourage small-scale farmers, who are disadvantaged in international market participation due to lack of access to information, services, technology or the capacity, to produce larger volumes of quality insect products.

scholarly journals THE DOMESTICATED DONKEY: III -ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE, UNCOMMON USAGES, REPRODUCTION TRAITS, GENETICS, NUTRITION AND HEALTH CARE.

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 139
Author(s):  
Orhan Yılmaz ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
Economic Importance ◽  
Farm Animal ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Nutrition And Health ◽  
Reproduction Traits ◽  
Small Scale Farmers

Donkeys are odd-toed, short-legged and long ears Equidae. Donkeys are used as traction animals in rural areas for small-scale farmers. They are an important farm animal species which adapted to the different environments, hard conditions and harsh climates

Analysis of Harvesting Sustainability

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 59-67
Author(s):  
Suchismita Satapathy
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Review Of Literature ◽  
Machine Cost ◽  
Small Scale Farmers

The existing harvesters for farming purposes are not affordable to small-scale farmers because of their financial reasons. Moreover, there is a requirement of a small, economic, more accessible & effective machine cost and also these are not available in most of the rural areas due to transportation or finance which would be easily operatable by the small scale farmers. In view of this, the present study was carried out by a depth review of literature s and expert concern is taken for existing harvesting practices and machines. Further, on the basis of ergonomic assessment followed by ISM analysis was done for considering the existing and the modified machines.

scholarly journals DIY Urbanism: Influences & Impacts on Community Planning

Topophilia ◽  
2017 ◽  
pp. 67-71
Author(s):  
Steven Shuttle
Keyword(s):  
Community Engagement ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Public Safety ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Community Planning ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Do It Yourself

‘Do It Yourself’ (DIY) urbanism is usually initiated by community members using a grassroots approach to change urban areas. Community planning involves making decisions about urban areas. This paper examines topics regarding DIY urbanism and community planning. Community engagement, neoliberalism and municipal support are key influences of DIY urbanism related to planning. DIY urbanism impacts the planner’s role as well as the relationships between planners, communities and municipalities. Three Canadian examples of DIY urbanism are introduced, including the Urban Repair Squad, PARK(ing) Day, and CITYlab. Discussion focuses on the opportunities and potential challenges of DIY urbanism for planners to consider. Potential challenges include public safety and municipal liability. Recommendations for planners regarding DIY urbanism are provided. DIY urbanism can be beneficial if planners work collaboratively and focus on small scale, low cost improvements.

scholarly journals Small-scale Farming and Access to Market: Challenges and Opportunities in South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
pp. 50-63
Author(s):  
Confidence Ndlovu ◽  
Mandla Masuku
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Household Income ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Arable Land ◽  
Policy Formulation ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Limited Access ◽  
Small Scale Farmers

The paper has aimed to explore the effectiveness of small-scale farmers in improving household income and food security, particularly looking at the barriers to market access in rural areas. This study was undertaken in rural areas of Kanyamazane, Clau-Clau and Nyongane, South Africa, where small-scale producers depend on low-risk and low-return markets to generate household income from production, thus ensuring food security. To achieve the aim of this study, a qualitative approach was used to provide in-depth interpretation of the perspectives, experiences, and behavioural patterns of the small-scale farmers faced with market related issues. Small-scale farmers, agricultural extension officers, and municipal officials were purposefully selected to share their views, perceptions, and experiences on the effectiveness in accessing markets. The findings revealed that there was limited access to formal markets by small-scale farmers because of limited knowledge and capacity to meet market requirements. The study confirmed that a lack of marketing skills, institutional support services, and limited access to arable land, have directly negative effects on achieving livelihood outcomes. This study recommends a sustainable crop production method which reduces the costs of farming resources, such as pesticide and fertilizer, through organic methods to ensure food safety and enhanced nutrient quality. This study further encourages inclusive rural development, where small-scale producers are treated as stakeholders in agricultural policy formulation to enable access to financial resources and increase in production through the formation of cooperatives.

scholarly journals A Study on Factors Affecting High Quality Fruit Tomato Production in a Greenhouse by Utilizing Low Cost Smart Agriculture Framework

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 58
Author(s):  
Ramadhona Saville ◽  
Katsumori Hatanaka ◽  
Denis Pastory Rubanga
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
High Price ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
Automatic Data ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Degree Production ◽  
Smart Agriculture ◽  
Small Scale Farmers ◽  
Nara Prefecture

In this paper, we present an examination of factors affecting the sweetness degree of fruit tomato by utilizing a low-cost smart agriculture framework. Japanese consumers are willing to pay a sky-high price for particularly high sweetness degree of tomato, known as fruit tomato. Japanese farmers would like to produce sustainable fruit tomato, yet only some of the veteran farmers with tens of years of experience or big industrialized farms can produce it. Small scale farmers still struggle to produce sustainable fruit tomato. Many of them would like to know what factors affecting the sweetness degree of tomato. This study aims to clarify factors affecting the sweetness degree production by using a low-cost smart agriculture framework installed in a fruit tomato farmer in Nara prefecture, a western part of Japan. The data used were automatic data gathered from the sensor network, i.e. temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure as well as CO2; and manually input cultivation records, namely, fertilizers (Ca, NO3), pH, EC (electrical conductivity), harvesting record (yield and sweetness degree) as well as cropping calendar. We gathered data from June 2017 to December 2019. We then conducted a statistical analysis using the R statistical computing language. We found that the most significant factor for a high sweetness degree of fruit tomato is the growing time, that is the longer the growing time, the higher the sweetness degree of fruit tomato. The growing time is likely to be affected by season, as in summer growing time is faster than in wintertime. Consequently, summer is not the best time to grow fruit tomato.

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