ThirdEye

Target SDGs

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

In Mozambique, ThirdEye was developed and launched with the support of USAID, Sida and the Dutch Government of Foreign Affairs. In Kenya, the service was implemented with the support from Smart Water for Agriculture program implemented by SNV.

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include Agrieye, SenseFly, and AgEagle RX40.

Manufacturing/Building Method

Unknown

Intellectural Property Type

Trademark

User Provision Model

ThirdEye provides the user with the drone service.

Distributions to Date Status

In Mozambique, there are six ThirdEye operators on the field. Service is provided to over 3500 farmers, covering more than 1600 ha. In Kenya, training has been given to five operators, who will be serving 2000 small-scale farmers.

Design Specifications

ThirdEye uses the camera to measure the reflection of near-infrared light and blue light, allowing the use of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). The drone flies at a height of 100 meters, saving photographic images every five seconds. To cover an area of 100 meters, the device takes approximately 500 images.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

In Mozambique, there are six ThirdEye operators on the field. In Kenya, training has been given to five operators.

Replacement Components

N/A

Lifecycle

N/A

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

Provide adequate information, in real-time and at accurate position, assisting farmers in decision making concerning the optimal application of limited resources such as water, seeds, fertilizer and labor.

Vetted Performance Status

• More than 3,500 farmers have used the service (71% are female) • Water productivity is said to have increased by 55%

Safety

No known safety hazards related to this product.

Complementary Technical Systems

Drone technology

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

None

Evaluation methods

NDVI technology allows the drone to analyze in real-time the state of the crops, thus providing farmers with the information needed to evaluate their resource use.   Furthermore, over 3,500 farmers have used the service (71% female), in Mozambique and water productivity is said to have increased by 55%, resulting in more crop per drop. To measure the performance, groups of smallholder farmers were surveyed in areas where ThirdEye is active and where it is not (used as control group to correct water productivity results). Groups were questioned about changes in crop production and water usage, between the previous and current years, allowing to evaluate changes in water productivity.

Other Information

None