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Abstract
This study discusses the various uses and general impact of drones, sensor technology and intelligent systems in agriculture or precision agriculture and brings to light the socio-economic benefits of their application in commercial-scale agricultural establishments in Africa. It also provides evidence of the application of these methods on farms in some countries in Africa and the benefits derived. The study draws the attention of both small- and large-scale farmers and other stakeholders in Africa and the world, who wish to engage in commercial-scale agriculture and make them realize the importance of employing this type of technology in their agriculture fields. It also draws the attention of governments and policy makers who wish to improve the agriculture sector to consider these impacts and provide some form of regulatory regime to ensure the safety and privacy of citizens in relation to their application.
Keywords: Agriculture, drones, economics, intelligent systems, policy makers
1. Introduction and Background to Study
The agriculture sector is one of the most important sectors in most economies, as it provides some of life's necessities. Most economies would go down without agriculture. Africa, as a continent is not leftout, since it also depends largely on agriculture for the survival of its citizens, from employment creation to providing food for the economy (thus, helping to solve the problem of hunger and food insecurity as well as poverty). It is very essential to some of the biggest developmental goals of Africa and a catalyst for job creation (Ehui, 2018). According to NEPAD (2013), the agricultural sector in Africa continues to employ the highest proportion of the labour force. The sector alone employs about 65% of the labour force in the continent and contributes a lot to GDP, accounting for 32% in 2016 (Mayaki, 2016). However, the sector in Africa was not employing smart methods of production until recently. It depended massively on weak methods of production that has proved to be difficult to apply. Examples are the dependent on rainfall pattern for production, the use of local and unproductive instruments such as cutlasses and hoes against the use of more improved and modern technological methods as well as the cultivation of products that yield less profit. All these, among other problems serve as a deterrent...