Stochastic Optimization Model Using Remote Sensing Technologies for Agricultural Management in Africa

Information communication technology is the key to agricultural development if least developed countries (LDCs) are to optimize agricultural management (Di Bella, 2004). Many systems have been developed that collect vast amount of vital electronic data, perform data analysis and disseminate information. However, due to limited accessibility to these ICTs, LDCs still lag behind in exploiting technologies for timely decision making in agricultural management (Elisabetta Carfagna, 2005). Agricultural management in Africa is hampered by among other parameters the uncertainties that surround the following questions: when is the next rainy season? How long are the next rains expected to take? What is the likely intensity of these rains? Are they sustainable? What if we planted now? Are we likely to gain if we waited for two more months? How do we determine the disease or pest attaching our plants? How about if we used the other chemical/fertilizer? Although remote sensing technologies are not popularly used in Africa, in this paper we explore available advanced remote sensing technology that can be exploited to the advantage of agricultural sustainability and modernization in Africa region. We also develop and present a model that attempts to minimize the common phenomenon in LDCs of time wastage before planting of crops, hence optimization of agricultural management in Africa. The model developed here shall be an important decision making tool for any agricultural manager based at a given farm and accessing remote sensing technologies such as satellite data. We recommend the use of remote sensing data for use in obtaining the best results from the optimization model presented in this paper.