Satellites warn African farmers of pest infestations
UK researchers have developed an early warning system to prevent the crops of African farmers from being devastated. The Pest Risk Information Service (Prise) combines temperature data and weather forecasts with computer models. It then sends farmers a mobile phone alert so that they can take precautions.It is hoped that the system will boost yields and increase farm incomes by up to 20%.Prise is being used in Kenya, Ghana and Zambia and will be rolled out soon in other parts of the world.Prise is an upgrade of a highly successful UK Aid scheme run by the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International development charity (CABI). It uses a network of so called "plant doctors" and clinics to advise farmers when pests or diseas...