Precision Agriculture for Resource Use Efficiency in Smallholder Farming Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review

Cecilia M. Onyango, Justine M. Nyaga, Johanna Wetterlind, Mats Söderström and Kristin Piikki
Additional contact information
Cecilia M. Onyango: Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 29053-00625, Nairobi 00625, Kenya
Justine M. Nyaga: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Embu, P.O. Box 6-60100, Embu 60100, Kenya
Johanna Wetterlind: Department of Soil and Environment, Precision Agriculture and Pedometrics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 234, 53223 Skara, Sweden
Mats Söderström: Department of Soil and Environment, Precision Agriculture and Pedometrics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 234, 53223 Skara, Sweden
Kristin Piikki: Department of Soil and Environment, Precision Agriculture and Pedometrics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 234, 53223 Skara, Sweden

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 3, 1-17

Abstract: Opportunities exist for adoption of precision agriculture technologies in all parts of the world. The form of precision agriculture may vary from region to region depending on technologies available, knowledge levels and mindsets. The current review examined research articles in the English language on precision agriculture practices for increased productivity among smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. A total of 7715 articles were retrieved and after screening 128 were reviewed. The results indicate that a number of precision agriculture technologies have been tested under SSA conditions and show promising results. The most promising precision agriculture technologies identified were the use of soil and plant sensors for nutrient and water management, as well as use of satellite imagery, GIS and crop-soil simulation models for site-specific management. These technologies have been shown to be crucial in attainment of appropriate management strategies in terms of efficiency and effectiveness of resource use in SSA. These technologies are important in supporting sustainable agricultural development. Most of these technologies are, however, at the experimental stage, with only South Africa having applied them mainly in large-scale commercial farms. It is concluded that increased precision in input and management practices among SSA smallholder farmers can significantly improve productivity even without extra use of inputs.

Keywords: precision agriculture; small-scale farmers; resource use efficiency; Sub-Saharan Africa (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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