| I. Research Objectives Food insecurity in Africa is an imminent threat. Currently, 240 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa--one person in every four--lack adequate food.' Higher temperatures and lower rainfall in parts of Africa, combined with a doubling of the population, are projected to increase food insecurity in the continent by 43 percent by 20302" Despite accelerated globalization, local agricultural production in Africa remains critical to both food security and economic development among the rural poor, and increasing agricultural productivity remains an enormous challenge. Research suggests that at least a doubling of agricultural yields is required over the coming decades in economies where, as is the case in Sub-Saharan Africa, a majority of the population depends on smallholder farming. Moreover, the agricultural expansion required to feed a growing population is expected to have detrimental environmental impacts.' Already, farming input use and irresponsible agricultural practices are harmful, and trade off short-term agricultural gains against reduced potential for food production. As a result, food security is threatened, over the longer term.;Policymakers are looking for new technologies to boost agricultural yields in Africa in more efficient and environmentally sustainable ways. Unmanned aerial systems (UAS), commonly known for their military uses, offer promise. In this interdisciplinary study, I investigate if and how UAS technology might improve agricultural output in Africa. Further, I identify drivers and barriers to agricultural UAS adoption, assess which countries in Africa are most and least likely to adopt the technology, and suggest steps that policy-makers can take to overcome barriers and promote UAS agricultural use.;II. Research Questions and Approach The study addressed three broad research questions. 1. Can UASs add value to agriculture in Africa? 2. What non-technical factors are likely to influence UAS adoption in African agriculture? 3. Which countries in Africa are most likely to successfully adopt agricultural UAS technology? I used a mixed-method approach to answer these research questions, following a five-phase research plan (Figure ES.1). |
