Design and optimization of a UAV for agricultural applications in Uganda

Abstract

Uganda has for long and still continues to rely on agriculture for a living. Evident to this, Agriculture contributes 21-26% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at market price[1]. With the growing population of Uganda currently 44milion people (approximate figure), an average age of 15.9years and an urban population of 17.1% (7,524,000million people)[2]. With this statistical data, it implies that approximately 36.476million people are based in the rural areas giving evidence build up to the statistical data that 70% (30.8million) of the people within the country rely on agriculture for a livelihood[3][4][1]. Of the 30.8 million people, it is believed that 29million of these are subsistence farmer and all they do is to grow crops for home consumption. In some instances people do exchange crops they have for those that they are not able to produce. The plans to mechanize agriculture have for long been in the plan of the country under the ministry of agriculture, fisheries and animal production. Most have been accomplished for example purchase of tractors, improved seeds that are disease resistant, and improved pesticides, seeders, spray pumps and many other areas of improvement.