Abstract:
Livestock management is challenging for resource-poor (R-P) farmers due to unavailability
of quality feed, limited professional advice, and rumor-spreading about animal health condition in a
herd. This research seeks to improve animal health in southern Africa by promoting sericea lespedeza
(Lespedeza cuneata), a nutraceutical forage legume. An automated geospatial model for precision
agriculture (PA) can identify suitable locations for its cultivation. Additionally, a novel approach
of radio-frequency identifier (RFID) supported telemetry technology can track animal movement,
and the analyses of data using artificial intelligence can determine sickness of small ruminants. This
RFID-based system is being connected to a smartphone app (under construction) to alert farmers
of potential livestock health issues in real time so they can take immediate corrective measures. An
accompanying Decision Support System (DSS) site is being developed for R-P farmers to obtain all
possible support on livestock production, including the designed PA and RFID-based DSS.
