Question NW120 to the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
29 February 2024 - NW120
Breedt, Ms T to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What steps will her department take to ensure that agriculture in the Republic will benefit from the new satellite technology for agriculture; (2) what steps will she take to ensure that her department has the necessary skills and understanding of the new technology to guide the agricultural sector of the Republic to be more productive and competitive in the world markets; (3) whether she will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
1. The Department already capitalizes on remote sensing capabilities offered by satellite technology, such as the Sentinel-Hub, to analyze agricultural lands. This technology provides insights into crop planting frequencies, moisture levels, and burn scars, employing various data standards including true colour composite, false colour composite, the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), False Colour Urban composite, the Normalised Difference Moisture Index (NDMI), and Short-Wave Infrared composite (SWIR). These tools enable the monitoring of agricultural practices, vegetation health, and environmental changes, thereby supporting precision agriculture.
2. Through the strategic use of satellite and the deployment of drone technologies, the Department seeks to address current challenges and harness opportunities for growth and innovation within the sector. Recognizing the critical role of skilled personnel, the Department has a cadre of GISc professionals across all provinces, adept in leveraging remote sensing data for agricultural assessment and planning. To stay at the forefront of technological advancements, the Department has initiated a drone program aimed at augmenting satellite data with ultra-high-resolution imagery. This initiative includes training a new cohort of drone pilots, ensuring adherence to safety standards set by the South African Civil Aviation Authority, and facilitating the integration of remote sensing products into actionable agricultural insights. Furthermore, the Department is committed to enhancing the productivity and competitiveness of the South African agricultural sector on the global stage. By harnessing satellite data and advancing high-resolution remote sensing technologies, the Department aims to empower emerging farmers with precision agriculture techniques. These efforts are geared towards optimizing resource use, improving yield, and reducing operational costs through targeted application of fertilizers and pesticides.
3. No.