Rouxet Buitendag, Christo Bisschoff
Abstract
Maise farming is essential to sustainable food security in South Africa. However, due to climate change, these farmers are challenged by the agriculture cost squeeze, droughts, and ailing yields. Farmers must consider alternative management strategies to increase yields and consider the environment. Preserving the environment and feeding the world has become challenging, and ineffective farming practices remain the norm. Alternative methods, such as precision farming, have been proven to increase yield, lower long-term input costs, and lead to better farm management practices. Precision farming allows farmers to collect data and make informed decisions, optimising weak farm areas and reducing input costs. Using a qualitative research design and interviews with farmers in the maize triangle, it was concluded that farmers experienced increased yields and improved profit margins after one season of implementing precision farming techniques. Although they struggled with poor support systems, they overcame the significant barriers and enjoyed the benefits of precision farming. This management practice is sustainable but underutilised. This study recommends how farmers could overcome significant barriers (such as initial costs) independently, with or without the help of agricultural companies, and increase the adoption of precision farming.