From the Field to Smarter Farming
A new chapter in advancing smarter and more efficient maize production in Namibia is taking shape, with NUST playing a key role. The SISMaT research team, led by the Principal Investigator, Prof Oluibukun Ajayi, recently conducted its final data collection campaign, collecting samples from commercial farms in Tsumeb and Otavi as the project enters its final phase.
SISMaT, which stands for Smart Irrigation Scheduling and Yield Forecasting for Maize in Namibia’s Maize Triangle Using Earth Observation, is developing an Earth Observation-based system that combines satellite data and machine learning to help optimise irrigation and forecast maize yields.
The project, funded by the European Space Agency/African Union Commission’s EO Africa facility, is particularly relevant to Namibia’s agricultural future, where making informed decisions about water use and crop productivity is increasingly important. SISMaT aims to provide farmers with data-driven insights to support more efficient water management and better-informed production decisions by bringing together geospatial technology, Earth Observation and artificial intelligence.
The latest field campaign marks an important milestone in transforming ground-collected data into knowledge that can ultimately support smarter, more sustainable, and more resilient maize farming in Namibia.
From Tsumeb and Otavi to the future of precision agriculture, NUST research is putting technology to work for Namibia’s food and water security.
