The experience of swiftly transforming our concepts into tangible objects under such circumstances has been invaluable.The most valuable use of drones in agriculture is their ability to take aerial multispectral images.
Changing how farmers see their crops
A multispectral camera is a specialized device that captures images across various segments of the electromagnetic spectrum, unlike a standard camera, which records images only in the spectrum visible to humans.
Just as medical imaging gives doctors data on the condition of their patients’ hearts, a multispectral image gives farmers a wealth of information about their crop fields and soil conditions.
By the time our eyes see yellowing in a plant, it has been under stress for a considerable duration. Our multispectral imagery, however, alerts farmers to intervene at an earlier stage. That will help to increase yields and reduce hunger.
Unfortunately, entry-level multispectral cameras cost around $3,000 — unaffordable for aspiring technologists and smallholder farmers. That is why we developed our camera with off-the-shelf components to test the feasibility and usability of a DIY solution.
Today, our camera is one of the few DIY multispectral camera systems used in aerial drone photography on the Internet. Our workshop’s achievements underscore the substantial hurdles and rewards involved in constructing such camera systems.
Together, we constructed a pioneering drone, the first of its kind officially registered in Burundi.
Inventing an even better drone
However, our in-house DIY multispectral camera solution was not refined enough to capture the intricate details that farmers needed to assess plant health accurately. In response, we acquired a commercial multispectral drone.
We are now working on a platform that will allow farmers to schedule mapping missions, view previous maps, view reports on their plant health and have round-the-clock access to an agronomist to understand the relationship between their crops and the climate.
Recently, I was named one of three finalists in the 2023 Kenyan Agri-drone Business Competition, recognizing drone technology’s role in boosting the agricultural sector.
With effective community outreach and strong financial support, farmers will be able to benefit from this technology. As demand matures, commercially available multispectral drones will be more feasible and much easier to operate. For my part, I’m now scaling my drone business while conducting multispectral research.
