Kenyan scientist introduce software to predict drought

Posted on :Monday , 22nd August 2016

Small scale farmers will now be able to accurately predict drought conditions, so that they are able to plan for it accordingly.

A Kenyan scientist from Central University of Technology (CUT) in Bloemfontein has developed software to predict drought up to four years.

Once in the market, the technology will be affordable for small scale farmers.

South Africa has been in the grip of a devastating drought.

Low maize yields have forced the country to import the staple and thousands of animals have died crippling small scale farmers who struggle to recover because they cannot afford insurance.

The new technology will be a lifeline for farmers in the country.

CUT Researcher Dr Muthoni Masinde says: "Farmers can use it by just down loading the app which they can use on whatever frequency to check the prediction."

The software combines indigenous knowledge with data gathered by the weather station to predict drought.

It is this innovation that recently earned Masinde a Young Woman in Science Award for 2016 from the Department of Science and Technology.

Next on her agenda is the establishment of a drought prediction centre at the CUT in the near future.

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