Africa Surveyors September-October issue 2023

September-October 2023 Volume 5 issue no. 29
Africa Surveyors
IMAGING YOUR CITY: Surveying as a tool to unpack history
GDANSK THROUGH THE EYES OF MULTIBEAM AND LIDAR
CATIA certified for 3D PluraView from Dassault Systèmes
Meet the unusual and up to speed Hydrographer
Decarbonising Nigeria is feasible
In this issue......
Integrating biofertilizers
and precision
agriculture....
www.africasurveyorsonline.com
Drone technology holds
great promise across
Africa....
Switchgear Trends
in Geospatial
Mapping....
pg 29 pg 16 pg 34
September-October issue l 2023 1

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Contents
CONTENTS
Current Issue
In this issue we look at
Surveying as a tool to unpack
history - Gdansk through the
eyes of Multibeam and Lidar
and many more....enjoy the
issue!
30 32
REGULARS
News Briefs 4
Events 8
18
Innovation 10
Opinion 14
Project review 36
Director
Augustine M. Rang'ondi
Senior Editor &
Marketing Lead
Dorcas Kang’ereha
COVER STORY
IMAGING YOUR CITY: Surveying as a tool to unpack
history
22
Writers
Harriet Mkhaye
Irene Joseph
Innocent Momanyi
Sales Executives
East Africa
Jimmy Mudasia
Lydia Kamonya
Caiser Momanyi
Vincent Murono
Sheila Ing’ayitsa
South Africa
Paul Nyakeri
Sean Masangwanyi
Lisa Brown
Thembisa Ndlovu
Features
Anniversary: 30 years of passion, and still passionate
about hydrography!
Drones in Africa: Drone technology holds great promise
across Africa
Geospatial: Switchgear Trends in Geospatial Mapping
Energy: Decarbonising Nigeria is feasible with current power
technologies
Precision Agriculture: Integrating biofertilizers and
precision agriculture
12
Nigeria
Emelda Njomboro
Uche Maxwel
Designed and
Published by:
Josem Trust House,
3rd Floor, Upper Hill.
P.O. Box 52248-00100,
Nairobi, Kenya.
ADVERTISER'S INDEX
Sea Machines..........................................................................IFC
Caroni.......................................................................................IBC
Navvis.......................................................................................OBC
Norbit......................................................................................pg 15
Amaza Surveys......................................................................pg 20
Africa Surveyors....................................................................pg 20
Alwarqa Survey Engineering...............................................pg 23
Altavec.....................................................................................pg 25
Euclideon.................................................................................pg 35
Imagenex.................................................................................pg 36
Forssea Robotics....................................................................pg 37
MacArtney...............................................................................pg 38
34
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no responsibility will be borne by the publisher for the consequences of actions based on information so published. Further, opinions expressed on
interviews are not necessarily shared by Nailex Africa Publisher.
www.africasurveyorsonline.com
September-October issue l 2023 3

NEWS BRIEFS
PGS Awarded 4D Survey Contract Offshore West Africa
PGS Awarded 4D Survey Contract Offshore West
Africa|Image: Courtesy
PGS, a Norwegian marine seismic
survey services firm is awarded a 4D
acquisition contract offshore West
Africa. Mobilization is scheduled for Q4
and the contract has a total duration of
approximately 60 days.
“We experience continued high
activity in our core West African
markets and are very pleased
with this contract award. Our
Ramform acquisition platform in
combination with multi-sensor
GeoStreamer technology will
provide the client with highquality
4D seismic data,” says
President & CEO in PGS, Rune
Olav Pedersen.
PGS announces contract awards and
MultiClient projects as stock exchange
releases if the contract has a value of
$10 million or more, MultiClient projects
with a duration of 2 months or more and
strategically important contracts.
N-Sea contributes to the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline
development with survey operations
Gorée Offshore Engineering
signs OA with Woodside
Energy (Senegal) for Subsea
Integrity Management
Engineering Services
Gorée Offshore
Engineering
signs OA with
Woodside Energy
(Senegal) for
Subsea Integrity
Management
Engineering
Services |Image:
Gorée Offshore
Engineering
Gorée Offshore Engineering Senegal
(Gorée) – in Consortium with Genesis,
a wholly-owned Technip Energies
company – has signed a multi-year Outline
Agreement (OA) with Woodside Energy
(Senegal) B.V.
The Consortium will provide Asset Integrity
Management Engineering Services to the
Sangomar Field’s first phase, located offshore
Senegal and operated by Woodside.
N-Sea contributes to the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline
development with survey operations| image: courtesy
N-Sea, a Netherlands-based underwater
solutions provider, is contributing
to the development of the Nigeria-
Morocco Gas Pipeline (NMGP) project
through survey operations. The company has
collaborated closely with ship owner Rederij
Groe to transform the seismic support vessel,
7-Waves, into a research vessel equipped
with advanced equipment for this project.
According to N-Sea, the project is being
conducted with a reduced crew on board the
vessel, with all data being transferred to the
N-Sea data center onshore.
Daily meetings are held with the client’s
representative, the FEED engineer, the client,
and the company’s data processors to assess
data quality and route alignment, N-Sea said
in a statement.
“N-Sea has expanded its operational area
to West Africa by commencing survey
operations to support the prestigious
Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline project,”
emphasized N-Sea.
N-Sea emphasized the significance of
the project, noting that the pipeline is
set to connect multiple countries and
provide intermittent onshore returns for
compression as a base case. The Nigeria-
Morocco gas pipeline is an ambitious
project aimed at helping Africa become
self-sufficient in terms of energy needs and
benefiting over 400 million people in West
Africa. It will connect 11 countries in the
region to Nigerian gas sources.
Morocco is set to host 1,672 kilometers
of the 5,600-kilometer-long pipeline.
The project has garnered support from
numerous countries, with agreements in
place to ensure its implementation. In
June, Morocco’s Hydrocarbon and Mines
Office ONHYM, along with the Nigerian
National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC),
signed Memoranda of Understanding with
petroleum operators in various countries,
including Guinea, Liberia, Benin, and Côte
d’Ivoire.
This international Consortium will be pivotal
in delivering a successfully integrated
Integrity Management offering for Woodside
while delivering key local content milestones
in developing and supporting Senegalese
engineers through knowledge sharing, onthe-job
training, mentoring, and interactive
learning.
Gaspard Mendy, MD at Gorée Offshore
Engineering reacted: “This really is a big
one for our team of local engineers. The
Woodside Sangomar field consists of some of
the most cutting-edge subsea technology in
the world and we are excited and humbled
to be entrusted with its upkeep. We relish the
opportunity to work with Technip Energies
and Genesis, who have an unrivalled trackrecord
and expertise in subsea engineering.
We look forward also, to working closely with
the Woodside team and to delivering for
them here in Senegal”.
Gorée Offshore Engineering Senegal,
founded in November 2019, is a leading
Senegalese oil and gas engineering services
company delivering engineering design,
asset integrity and repair and maintenance
solutions to Tier 1 and Tier 2 blue-chip
energy companies operating onshore and
offshore Senegal and Mauritania.
4 September-October issue l 2023 www.africasurveyorsonline.com

NEWS BRIEFS
TotalEnergies gets
greenlight to drill offshore
South Africa
Image: courtesy
TotalEnergies has secured green light
from the environment ministry of
South Africa to drill for oil and gas
offshore, reported Reuters.
The approval comes after the government
authority rejected appeals by lobby groups
and individuals challenging further
exploration for offshore oil and gas.
The most recent in a string of appeals was
the effort to stop TotalEnergies from drilling
in Blocks 5/6/7 offshore Cape Town.
The environmental authorisation given
to the French oil and gas company by the
Department of Mineral Resources and Energy
in April was challenged on a number of
grounds, including marine noise, oil spills,
climate change, and inadequate public
consultation.
Environmental activist groups aimed to
persuade Environment Minister Barbara
Creecy to revoke the authorisation.
However, Creecy, as the appellate authority,
dismissed their concerns, the news agency
reported citing the ruling.
“I am therefore satisfied that the impacts
of noise and light have been adequately
assessed and mitigated to ensure low impacts
on the receiving environment. As such this
ground of appeal is dismissed,” Creecy was
quoted as saying.
Climate Justice Charter Movement, one of the
appellants, described Creecy’s judgement as
“disappointing but unsurprising.”
“The decision by the minister will be
challenged, it is irrational and ignores climate
science,” it said in a statement.
Trimble commits to Nigeria through digital technologies
Trimble, an industrial technology
company, has disclosed plans to
unlock opportunities in areas of
agriculture, surveying, architecture, mining,
construction, among others through the
deployment of digital technology in Nigeria.
According to Albert Momo, Trimble’s vice
president and Executive Director in charge
of emerging markets and funded projects,
the conference will feature plenary, breakout
sessions and live demonstrations by Trimble
businesses in the geospatial, advanced
positioning, land administration, agriculture,
construction, and the utilities sectors.
“This event will unlock opportunities
in areas including energy, mining, and
Rwanda launches Institute of Quantity Surveyors
On July 14th 2023, the Ministry of
Infrastructure successfully launched
the Institute of Quantity Surveyors
in Rwanda (RIQS) which will enable
the government to properly implement
construction projects and account for value
for money.
The newly launched institution becomes
the youngest institution in the East
African region where other member states,
particularly Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania who
have already established institutions for over
40 years.
The establishment of the institution was also
preceded by the first RIQS general assembly
in Rwanda in which the council members
were elected to be led by QS Charles
Lugira as the Chairman, and QS Frederick
Nyaminani as the vice-Chairman.
Dr. Ernest Nsabimana, the Minister of
Infrastructure, said that quantity surveyors
play a crucial role in shaping the landscape
of Rwanda’s growing construction sector
and can never be underestimated especially
when it comes to value for money.
Quantity Surveyors are the financial
custodians and the master strategists of
contract management who ensure the
successful delivery of construction projects
while maintaining cost-effectiveness and
geospatial as well as provide potential users
with the requisite knowledge of Trimble
solutions, as the company seeks to expand in
the West African market. Trimble remains a
dedicated industrial technology company that
transforms the world in enabling customers
to deliver prominent solutions with the use
of core technologies in positioning, modeling,
connectivity, and data analytics to connect
the digital and physical worlds to improve
productivity, quality, safety, transparency, and
sustainability,” said Momo.
“Agriculture and Construction alone – two
areas Trimble solutions support contributed
over a quarter to the nominal GDP of Nigeria
on 2023 Q1 and remain sectors that the
Nigerian government is very keen to grow,”
he adds.
Image: courtesy
quality standards,” Dr. Nsabimana said.
“Your expertise is vital in safeguarding our
infrastructure investments and driving the
sustainable development agenda across
Rwanda and the continent as a whole,” he
added.
Quantity Surveying (QS) is a professional
career of experts who estimate and control
costs for large construction projects and by
legalizing their activities in Rwanda, the
institute will remove the chaos in Rwanda’s
growing construction sector where other
professionals in the construction sector
especially engineers, and architects have
been assuming the QS jobs.
The establishment of the Rwanda Institute
of Quantity Surveyors comes at an opportune
moment when the construction industry is
experiencing rapid growth and development.
With ambitious infrastructure projects and
burgeoning urbanization, the demand for
quantity surveyors has never been greater.
www.africasurveyorsonline.com
September-October issue l 2023 5

INTERNATIONAL
RWE appoints Fugro
to start geophysical
survey for Denmark’s
largest offshore wind
farm, Thor
Image: FUGRO
RWE has appointed Fugro to complete
a geophysical survey off the Danish
west coast. Up to three survey vessels
will be deployed to carry out a detailed
pre-construction survey including a search
for unexploded ordnance (UXO) up to
approximately 34 kilometres off the coast of
Thorsminde. The data acquired is important
and will define the cable routes and exact
turbine locations for RWE’s Thor offshore
wind farm.
The awarded contract builds upon Fugro's
prior involvement in the project, which
included a comprehensive geotechnical site
investigation conducted in 2022.
Günther Fenle, Project Director Thor Offshore
Wind Farm, RWE Offshore Wind said: “We are
looking forward to using the data collected by
Fugro to finalise the layout of the wind farm
and to determine the routes for the interarray
and export cables. This is an important
step towards the start of the construction
works at sea in 2025.”
Marc Kebbel, Fugro’s Service Line Director
of Hydrography and Cable Route Surveys
said: “We are using a wide range of survey
techniques, comprising offshore and
nearshore standard geophysical and UXO
survey techniques, a seismic land refraction
survey, and last but not least, Fugro’s rapid
airborne multibeam mapping system
(RAMMS) for comprehensive mapping of the
shallow area and beach in the transition
zone.”
FarSounder joins Seabed 2030 in Mapping the
World's Oceans
FarSounder is partnering with The
Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed
2030 Project to work together to
advance the collective understanding of the
ocean floor in pursuit of the complete map
of the entire seabed.
This partnership coincides with FarSounder's
recent Small Business Innovation Research
(SBIR) Phase I grant awarded by the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA). This award is providing funding
for the research and development of a
new project that will develop a cloudbased
service to shareFarSounder/NSSL
Global survey data collected by FarSounder
customers.
The project – Enabling Expanded
Crowdsourced Bathymetry Contributions
With High-Quality Metadata via
Commercially Sustainable Incentives to
Contributors – will allow for data sharing
with others across the FarSounder customer
fleet and with Seabed 2030 via the
International Hydrographic Organization's
(IHO) Data Centre for Digital Bathymetry
(DCDB), which archives over 30 terabytes of
Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) and the
Trimble Foundation Fund have
partnered with The HALO Trust, the
world’s largest landmine-clearing non-profit
organization, to help expand its demining
operations across Ukraine. The Foundation
Fund directed grant focuses on strengthening
the HALO Trust’s capacity to locate and
remove landmines, unexploded ordnance, and
other explosive hazards from civilian areas to
create safer communities.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has resulted
in the contamination of massive swaths of
the country with landmines, unexploded
ordnance, and improvised explosive devices.
These explosive hazards block access to
farmland, impede reconstruction efforts,
prevent displaced persons from returning
to their homes, and continue to hinder the
oceanic depth soundings and serves as the
long-term archive for Seabed 2030.
Seabed 2030 is a collaborative project
between The Nippon Foundation and the
General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans
(GEBCO), which seeks to inspire the complete
mapping of the world's ocean by 2030, and to
compile all the data into the freely available
GEBCO Ocean Map. The Project is formally
endorsed as a Decade Action of the UN
Ocean Decade. GEBCO is a joint programme
of the IHO and the Intergovernmental
Oceanographic Commission (IOC), and is the
only organisation with a mandate to map the
entire ocean floor.
"Our commitment to contributing highresolution
data to the IHO's DCDB aligns
seamlessly with Seabed 2030's mission of
achieving a complete map of the entire ocean
floor," commented FarSounder CEO Matthew
Zimmerman. "By streamlining the transfer of
data from customers to the DCDB we hope
to encourage broader participation, inviting
more individuals to actively contribute to
bridging the gaps in our understanding of the
ocean."
Trimble Partners with HALO Trust for Landmine
Clearance in Ukraine
Bucha, Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine. Staff from the
landmine clearance charity The HALO Trust
clearing ground of unexploded ordnance
(UXO) such as artillery fuses at Bucha, just
outside Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine.
© Chris Strickland / HALO
safety of Ukrainian civilians. The Government
of Ukraine estimates that 174,000 square
kilometers of its land may be contaminated—
this is roughly the size of Virginia, Maryland,
and Connecticut combined.
6 September-October issue l 2023 www.africasurveyorsonline.com

INTERNATIONAL
Microdrones to sell designed and made in America drone surveying
equipment starting in 2024
Following the product launch of the
EasyOne mid-year, Microdrones will
start manufacturing this system in
its Huntsville, AL site in 2024. In order to
better support the ramp up of manufacturing
activities as well as current and future U.S.
customer needs, Microdrones will further
transfer key R&D activities to Huntsville.
According to Vivien Hériard Dubreuil, CEO of
mdGroup (parent company of Microdrones),
“Strengthening our existing operations in
the U.S. is a natural move for us. Our group
has a longstanding presence in Huntsville,
and we have been supporting Microdrones
U.S. customers from Huntsville for the past
18 months. Now, in light of the energy of
the drone surveying market in the U.S. and a
strong reception by U.S. customers, it makes
sense to bring these functions closer to those
customers. We were already selling NDAA-
Image: Microdrones
compliant versions of our products; now our
products will be designed and made in the
U.S.”
Vincent Legrand, VP of Sales added, “In
everything we do, our utmost priority is to
meet and fully address our customer needs.
The EasyOne is born from customer demand
for a compact drone LiDAR surveying
system that can be easily deployed while
quickly delivering high quality results. With
a uniquely compact form factor, perfectly
integrated LiDAR, our LP360 point cloud
processing software as well as NDAA
compliant options made in the United States,
customers now have exactly what they have
been asking for.”
Reach Subsea has now signed survey contract with major
Scottish energy firm SSEN Transmission
With reference to the release dated 17 August 2023
regarding notice of a contract award, Reach Subsea, the
trusted data and subsea service provider for oceanbased
industries, announces the signing of the final contract and
further details on the assignment.
The contract constitutes a detailed corridor survey for the Spittal
to Peterhead HVDC power cable. The data will be used for
detailed engineering and environmental assessment of potential
cable routes with the survey corridor. The contract counterparty
is SSEN Transmission, the transmission network operator
responsible for the high voltage electricity transmission network
in the north of Scotland. SSEN Transmission is carrying out a
significant upgrade of the electricity transmission network in the
region, launching a ‘Pathway to 2030’ programme of projects to
facilitate the increase in renewable energy generation across the
north of Scotland and deliver a network for net zero emissions.
The work is scheduled for execution in the fourth quarter of 2023,
with a duration of approximately 75 vessel days. The ROV survey
vessel Viking Reach with its permanently mobilized high-speed
Surveyor Interceptor ROV will be utilized.
"We have ramped up our capacity significantly over the last
couple of years to serve a rapidly growing market with a
www.africasurveyorsonline.com
Image: Reach Subsea
broadened service offering. Our international presence is expanding
fast with Aberdeen as a core location, and we are extremely pleased
to be welcoming SSEN Transmission as a new significant client. The
contract win is a strong endorsement of Reach Subsea’s attractivity for
large clients and capabilities in solving complex tasks within the HVDC
Transmission energy segment,"said Jostein Alendal, Reach Subsea CEO
"The Surveyor Interceptor ROV (SROV) can provide more data of higher
quality and higher resolution at higher speed and in more severe weather
conditions than any other survey platform and is well suited for this
assignment off the Scottish coast. We believe the contract with SSEN
Transmission is an important step in our expansion strategy in the UK,"
Alastair McKie, Managing Director of Reach Subsea UK.
September-October issue l 2023 7

EVENTS
Seismic Development Integral
to Africa’s Energy Future,
African Energy Chamber (AEC)
Underscores during Houston
Working Visit
Accurate and up-to-date seismic data
is the cornerstone of a thriving oil
and gas industry. In Africa, geoscience
companies take on a pivotal role, driving the
success and efficiency of oil and gas projects
by equipping countries and corporations with the
precise tools needed to locate hydrocarbon deposits.
Without the vital contributions of geoscience firms, Africa would be
unable to fully unleash the vast potential of its oil and gas resources.
The African Energy Chamber’s (AEC) working visit to Houston
– currently underway – led by Executive Chairman NJ Ayuk, is
promoting this very role, engaging with a suite of oil, gas and
geoscience companies on the impact they have in Africa’s energy
sector. Underpinning the visit is the belief that partnerships between
geoscience companies and African governments are quintessential
for the success of the burgeoning industry, and that opportunities for
geoscience companies in Africa are just unfolding.
During the visit, the AEC will meet with EnerGeo Alliance, a global
trade association for the geoscience industry operating under the
motto that, ‘Energy Starts Here.’ EnerGeo Alliance has long-been an
important partner for Africa’s oil and gas sector, demonstrating time
and time again a commitment to the continent’s hydrocarbon future.
The meeting will unpack how geoscience companies, with the support
of EnerGeo Alliance, can contribute to the success of Africa’s oil and
gas sector. In addition, the meeting will focus on seismic development,
and how African governments can support the activities of geoscience
companies in untapped acreage.
Holding up to 125 billion barrels of proven crude oil reserves and
620 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of natural gas, Africa is just beginning to
8 September-October issue l 2023 www.africasurveyorsonline.com

EVENTS
Seismic Development Integral to Africa’s Energy Future, African Energy Chamber (AEC) Underscores during Houston Working Visit.
|Image: Courtesy
understand the full scope of its oil and gas resources. Countries such
as Nigeria, for example, with 200 tcf of proven gas resources, likely
hold as much as 600 tcf. At the same time, countries such as Ivory
Coast, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zimbabwe, Kenya and
many more are yet to reveal their oil and gas reserves. Geoscience
companies are the key for advancing exploration efforts, providing
comprehensive understanding of Africa’s onshore and offshore
hydrocarbon plays, and partnerships are what will underpin the very
success of African oil and gas.
Despite the central role geoscience companies have and continue
to play in Africa, companies continue to face challenges, with
environmental groups blocking both onshore and offshore operations.
In South Africa, for example, energy companies continue to experience
disruptions, with lobbyist organizations preventing the exploration of
the Orange Basin – an area in which sizeable finds have been made
on the Namibian side. At the same time, South Africa is in the midst
of an energy crisis, and domestic oil and gas would prove a lifeline to
the economy. As such, the geoscience community needs to be given
the full support of Government, or untapped oil and gas resources will
remain in the ground.
The same can be said continent-wide, and the AEC working visit will
underscore the need for stronger collaboration. Topics of discussion
will include issues faced by the geoscience community such as strong
partnerships; streamlined license approvals; and clear regulation.
www.africasurveyorsonline.com
Additionally, with capacity building representing the very essence of
energy and economic development, the meeting will highlight the
imperative for training and skills development programs between
government and National Oil Companies, as well as how scholarships,
programs and mentorship can strengthen the geoscience industry.
“The geoscience community will have a catalyzing role to play in Africa
for many years to come. Africa’s oil and gas potential is only starting to
be understood. Through seismic surveys, we can not only understand
what lies beneath the continent’s ground and waters, but we can
fast-track decision making to monetize resources. We see the seismic
community continue to grow, with mergers such as between Norway’s
TGS and Petroleum Geo-Services. This sends the right kind of message
that the seismic community is committed to growth, and Africa should
stand ready to welcome partners,” states Ayuk.
During this year’s edition of the African Energy Week (AEW) conference
in Cape Town, the role geoscience companies play in growing the
African oil and gas market was a prominent point of discussion. Various
panel discussions, technical presentations and forums drew attention
to the need for further collaboration between geoscience players and
African governments. The event also featured the inaugural African
Farmout Forum, a platform created for striking deals through in-depth
understanding of Africa’s upstream plays. However, there is still a lot
more to be done, and both AEW and the AEC stand ready to support
the growth and contribution of the global geoscience community.
September-October issue l 2023 9

INNOVATION
Sercel extends its OBN portfolio to operate in all
seabed survey water depths
Sercel is pleased to announce that it
now has a complete portfolio of seabed
nodal solutions for all water depths
down to 6,000 m to meet growing industry
demand for ocean bottom node (OBN) seismic
surveys. Based on Sercel’s unique QuietSeis®
broadband digital sensor technology, the
full OBN portfolio includes the GPR300, the
GPR700, the GPR3000 and the MicrOBS.
Image: Sercel
Building on the success of the GPR300,
the GPR700 was unveiled yesterday at the
IMAGE 2023 convention in Houston. The
GPR700 extends OBN survey operations to
the limits of the continental shelf at depths
of up to 700 meters. In response to growing
requirements for deepwater exploration,
Sercel is now also announcing a GPR3000
nodal solution for high-density OBN surveys
down to depths of 3,000 meters.
To complete Sercel’s OBN offering, the
MicrOBS sparse nodal solution is ideally
suited for sparse deepwater OBN operations
down to 6,000 meters.
Emmanuelle Dubu, Sercel CEO, said: "We
are delighted to now offer a full range of
nodal solutions to the seismic industry. The
common denominator and key differentiator
of this portfolio is QuietSeis, the most
accurate seismic sensor in the industry. Its
extremely low-noise performance delivers
high-fidelity, high-quality broadband datasets
for high-precision subsurface imaging. With
our comprehensive portfolio of high-tech
OBN solutions — all seamlessly integrated
into our new MetaBlue marine survey
management solution — we are uniquely
positioned to support our customers in their
offshore exploration and monitoring projects,
whatever the depth."
New DJI Zenmuse L2 Increases Precision,
Efficiency, And Reliability Of 3D Data Acquisition
DJI, the world’s leader in civilian drones
and creative camera technology,
today introduces the DJI Zenmuse L2,
a highly-integrated LiDAR system which
builds on DJI’s successful Zenmuse L1. With
an enhanced RGB camera, upgraded LiDAR
module and improved accuracy, any enterprise
professional with a DJI Matrice 300 RTK or DJI
Matrice 350 RTK platform can benefit from
more precise, efficient and reliable 3D data
acquisition. Furthermore, when used with
DJI Terra, it delivers a turnkey solution for
3D data collection and high-accuracy postprocessing.
“The DJI Zenmuse L2 marks a new era of
3D data acquisition,” said Christina Zhang,
Senior Director of Corporate Strategy at
DJI. “Three years ago DJI was excited to
introduce a reliable and cost-effective LiDAR
system for aerial platforms used by land
surveyors, electricity inspectors, and forestry
LiDAR, a self-developed IMU system, and a 4/3 CMOS RGB camera combine to give geospatial
and inspection professionals greater insights. Image courtesy
professionals, to name just a few. This aerial
data is paramount in providing real-time
3D data, efficiently capturing the details of
complex structures and delivering highly
accurate reconstructed models. With our
aim of promoting industry development in
all enterprise verticals, we are continuing
to tackle user pain points through technical
innovation and reshaping industry
productivity.”
10 September-October issue l 2023 www.africasurveyorsonline.com

Phase One, Quantum Systems and Trimble unveil
groundbreaking survey grade UAV solution
INNOVATION
Phase One, pioneer in medium- and
large-format digital cameras and
imaging systems proudly announces
the next-generation instrument for the
modern surveyor in collaboration with
Quantum Systems and Trimble; seamlessly
integrating the new state-of-the-art Phase
One P5 128-megapixel camera, purpose-built
for survey grade applications, into Quantum
Systems flagship Trinity Pro mapping drone
and the leader surveying workflow Trimble
Business Center (TBC).
Challenges in the fields of architecture,
construction, and engineering
The surveying and construction industry
confronts a wide range of challenges,
including the critical aspects of time
constraints, resource limitations, project
requirements, and the potential for costly
fines due to project delays. Traditional
surveying methods have proven to be timeconsuming
to reach the statistical confidence
Phase One, Quantum Systems and Trimble unveil groundbreaking survey grade UAV solution
with the launch of Phase One P5 camera I Image: Phase One
needed in data quality, which further
intensifies the challenge of monitoring
construction progress in a timely manner.
Delayed delivery of critical projects not only
results in substantial financial penalties but
also hampers overall industry progress.
Accurate surveys play a critical role in
construction projects and architectural
design, whether it’s during the construction
phase or in the post-completion monitoring
stage. However, current UAV-based surveying
solutions have often fallen short in capturing
survey-grade quality data, leaving a critical
gap in meeting industry demands.
Geospace Technologies Launches Aquanaut
New Low Frequency Ocean Bottom Node
Geospace Technologies (NASDAQ:
GEOS) today announced the release
of a new seismic acquisition product
known as Aquanaut, a continuous, cablefree,
four-channel autonomous, deepwater
ocean bottom recorder.
Featuring low frequency geophones, Aquanaut
is the next generation node designed for
extended duration ocean bottom seismic
data acquisition. The nodes are ideally
deployed as deep as 3,450 meters. The device
continuously records for up to 200 days and
offers more rapid recharging times. Each node
features an internal heading sensor and uses
all Geospace designed and manufactured
sensor components including Deepender
5000-X hydrophone and three-component
geophones. The built-in full resolution test
generator offers users the added security of
a fully functional recorder capable of lowfrequency,
high-fidelity data acquisition. The
Aquanaut has a flat pad, which an ROV can
www.africasurveyorsonline.com
use to lift the device and place it in position.
“We’ve built a solid reputation for reliably
offering our customers what they need for
marine surveys. With Aquanaut, we deliver
an industry first 10 Hz omni directional
geophone in a deepwater ocean bottom
node. Unlike the other products on the
market which typically offer 14 Hz omni
directional geophones, our engineers
responded to customer needs to lower the
Image: Geospace Technologies
frequency of the geophones to extend the
frequency bandwidth of the seismic data,” said
Walter “Rick” Wheeler, president and CEO of
Geospace Technologies. “We’re delighted to
launch our new Aquanaut product offering
at the International Meeting for Applied
Geoscience and Energy. With the success of
our most recent slim profile shallow seabed
node known as Mariner, we anticipate a great
deal of enthusiasm around its deepwater
counterpart during this conference.”
September-October issue l 2023 11

COVER STORY
IMAGING YOUR CITY: Surveying as a tool to unpack history
GDANSK THROUGH THE EYES OF
MULTIBEAM AND LIDAR
Port of the old town in Gdansk. | All images courtesy of Norbit
This narrative highlights the elegance of simplicity, where
technological progress is flawlessly incorporated into the device
and reflected outwardly through a simplified interface. Even
those with fundamental surveying abilities can use the system to chart
intricate surroundings and provide expert data. Dr. Aleksandra Kruss,
a scientific and hydrographic training specialist at NORBIT, shares her
insights on instructing users to enhance their survey efficiency and
produce data of IHO standard.
The future is being made today
Throughout most of human history, the only way to capture a moment
or a location was through paintings. This changed dramatically nearly
two centuries ago with the advent of photography. Initially, the process
of capturing images was a complex task, undertaken by highly skilled
individuals using bulky cameras, and the development of the image
could take hours. Today, high-resolution cameras are a common feature
in everyone's smartphones. For those in the hydrography field, the
task at hand is to bring this advancement to underwater acoustic
systems for detailed seabed mapping. Although acoustic transducers
must adhere to certain size limitations to accommodate specific
signal frequencies, the ongoing revolution is focused on finding more
efficient solutions that offer superior performance, lighter weight,
smaller size, and most importantly, simpler operation.
Imagine a coastal city with ports, canals, and hydro-technical
structures like Gdansk, a historic Polish city on the Baltic Sea.
Numerous organizations are tasked with underwater mapping,
upkeep, and ensuring the safety of waterways. These entities are
increasingly needing to undertake smaller hydrographic projects with
NORBIT PORTUS Pole with LiDAR and GNSS Antennas during the
survey
tighter budgets, yet these tasks still demand high-quality control.
This is particularly true when mapping a local marina, a small dock,
or perhaps a very shallow canal, which must be approved by the
hydrographic office. This makes the task significantly more complex to
carry out and oversee.
Professional instrument should be simple to use
A modern, high resolution multibeam device together with a compact
laser scanning device, like the combination of the NORBIT WINGHEAD
with iLiDAR, will provide an accurate measurement system; which is
effective for both large-scale surveys from big vessels and for shallow
water surveys on small platforms. This way we can have flexible
approach. Which is important in coastal areas, where a company one
day will need to map a wide, open sea area and the next day needs
to transfer all the equipment on a rib for river or harbour survey. It is
12 September-October issue l 2023 www.africasurveyorsonline.com

CASE STUDY: GDANSK
greatly appreciated if the system is also easy to operate, as there may
be people with different skills and knowledge available to operate the
system, and data quality has to be up to hydrographic standard.
The WINGHEAD is a part of NORBIT curved array, bathymetric
integrated systems family with 1024 true beams (0.5°x0.9°, at
400kHz), high-end navigation system and a very compact deck unit
with small power consumption. It is light weight and fully portable
in a Pelican Case. But what is its biggest beauty? The systems inner
complexities are demonstrated via user-friendly interfaces that make
life of the operator trouble-free.
The Survey
The equipment, including the system and a lightweight carbon fiber
pole known as the Portus Pole specifically designed for NORBIT
multibeam sonars, was shipped to Gdansk. I landed in the city's historic
district in June, equipped with the aforementioned gear. I rented
a small sightseeing boat typically used for family trips along the
Motlawa river and started instructing my local company associates
on data collection using WINGHEAD and iLIDAR. Following this, we
embarked on our remarkable exploration around the historic site.
The whole system was powered with 24V from the battery together
with a laptop using acquisition software and sharing bathymetric
data via WIFI network. Additionally, a tablet using NORBIT DCT Data
Acquisitioning software was used to support navigation of the boat.
DCT is a web browser-based application that allows collection of data
and control of survey progress. The data was recorded in broadly used
s7k format and was later processed in QPS QIMERA software. We also
recorded scanner data from land and bathymetry simultaneously, in
order to have a full picture of Gdansk old town, Wisloujscie Fortress,
and surrounding harbour areas.
NORBIT GUI takes a user step by step through setup and alignment
procedure with only one offset to measure, so it was very easy
and quick to teach surveyors the new equipment. Most of the GUI
parameters can be left as default and provide precise bathymetry even
for an inexperienced operator.
Due to the curved array and directional swath, the whole embankment
was mapped from the bottom to the surface, connecting the point
cloud with iLiDAR data without the need to physically tilt the sonar.
The new drawbridge to Olowianka Island and swing bridge were
imaged as well with their underwater structures. The next task
involved navigating towards the Wisloujscie Fortress and surveying
its shallow surrounding moat. This fortress, the oldest marine military
structure in Poland, once protected Gdansk's harbor and is now a
heritage site. Despite the water depths of about 1-2m, we managed
to map the channels, fortress walls, and other details. In a single day,
we mapped Gdansk's old town waterfront, part of the harbor, and the
Wisloujscie heritage site.
Point cloud of bathymetry detection (depth coloured) and iLiDAR data
(white). The swing bridge on Motlawa River with historic tenements
along the embankment.
Part of the old town in Gdansk, Olowianka Island, bathymetry (25cm
resolution) with iLiDAR point cloud data
Bathymetric surface with iLiDAR point cloud of the Gdansk’s old city
with famous ‘Zuraw’ on the righ, the biggest medieval port crane in
Europe. The swing bridge is in open position.
NORBIT WINGHEAD i77h mounted over the side on Portus Pole with 2
GNSS antennas.
Wisloujscie Fortress, the oldest military marine structure in Poland
www.africasurveyorsonline.com
September-October issue l 2023 13

COVER STORY
Point cloud representation of Wisloujscie Fortress with extremally shallow bathymetry (1-3m) around it
SUMMARY
NORBIT's approach is to provide multibeam systems that significantly
cut down survey operation time, generate high-resolution bathymetry
that surpasses IHO Special Order standards, and incorporate land
survey when needed. Its compact size and user-friendly operation
make it adaptable to any platform. A standout feature is its
straightforward interface that doesn't compromise functionality.
The NORBIT WINGHEAD multibeam sonar can be utilized with
any acquisition software or come with the user-friendly surveying
application - DCT.
Southern moat of the Fortress, point cloud representation of depth and
iLiDAR data.
Symmetrical wall structure on the North to data from image 9 with palisade and yachts parked along the channel
14 September-October issue l 2023 www.africasurveyorsonline.com

NORBIT MULTIBEAM SONAR SYSTEMS AND LIDAR
EASY TRANSPORT, SETUP & OPERATION
www.norbit.com/subsea
subsea@norbit.com

OPINION
Drone technology holds
great promise across Africa
It just needs the right regulations
Like other novel and emerging technologies, appropriate
regulation for drones has left governments worldwide
on the back foot: Innovation in multiple sectors from
construction and mining, to journalism, humanitarian aid, and
agriculture is continually driving new use cases for the technology.
In the context of African agriculture, drones have enormous
potential that will only be realized with enabling regulation — to
promote more widespread use for greater food and nutrition
security, and to provide much-needed high-tech jobs.
Author: Oyetola Muyiwa Atoyebi, SAN, Managing
Partner of O. M. Atoyebi, S.A.N & Partners (OMAPLEX
Law Firm). | Image: Courtesy.
In June, the European Union moved to harmonize drone regulations
across all member states. And the African Union, with the launch of
its landmark report, Drones on the Horizon: Transforming Africa’s
Agriculture, has recognized the critical role drones can play in
job creation, food security, and, ultimately, stabilization of the
fragile agriculture sectors so critical to emerging and developing
economies.
Across Africa, 100 million young people will come into the
workforce over the next 10 years — the vast majority of which
will be entirely dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods.
A sustainable increase in healthy food production will be
impossible without the transformation of smallholder farms into
profitable businesses. To do so, smallholders, making up the bulk
of agricultural production on the continent, must be enabled to
embrace the most forward-looking solutions.
In Uganda’s mountainous south-western region of Butare, near
the town of Ishaka, for example, the Igara Growers Tea Factory, a
collective of over 7,000 smallholders, has started using drones to
create digitalized member profiles, mapping the location, size, and
productivity of their farms. This means farmers can rapidly spot
16 September-October issue l 2023 www.africasurveyorsonline.com

OPINION
problem areas to target inputs such as fertilizer and pesticides much
more efficiently, and access appropriate finance.
The reliable data generated has also made it easier for farmers to
access finance. Consider this particular site is over 6,000 hectares, the
implications for productivity are enormous, or, in the words of IGTF’s
foreman: “It’s the difference between going to school on a motorcycle
with a cell phone, or going by foot, dragging an old backpack.”
Drones are capable of generating crop diagnostics or other types
of location-specific and high-resolution data providing farmers
with real-time information about their land, crops, and livestock.
By monitoring these from the air, farmers can quickly find, or even
anticipate, problems that would simply not be detectable through
on-the-ground checks. Drones could also attract many more young
people to remain in rural communities working in agriculture, rather
than migrating to cities in search of employment.
African nations, however, have a long road ahead if they are to benefit
from drones and the associated industries and innovations they can
enable: Only around 14 out of 54 African countries currently have
regulations in place. Some of these are restrictive and disabling,
banning civilian use of drones and lacking certification and licensing
standards. If governments act now to remove current barriers, they
will effectively unlock great potential, taking another giant step
toward next-generation, precision agriculture in Africa.
Unmanned aerial vehicle-informed, real-time data and decision
making will also enable climate change adaptation — a critical
concern for African smallholders.
By 2030, 90 percent of the world’s major crops, including maize, rice,
and wheat, will experience reduced or stagnant growth rates. If we
can help to pioneer a faster transition to next-generation, climatesmart
agriculture through the widespread promotion of drones,
satellite services, apps, and open data, then farming communities
in developing countries will not only increase their profitability
and productivity, they will also be able to ensure their long-term
sustainability and resilience in the face of changing weather patterns.
Drones governance is a multisector, multistakeholder issue which
must involve all relevant actors in decision making. The development
sector needs to strengthen its public-private sector partnerships,
leveraging international drone manufacturers’ presence, influence,
and expertise in precision agriculture. We need to build awareness
around drones’ potential in the broader context of rural employment,
and work with governments to address the cost and technical barriers
through licensing, registration, subsidies, and cooperatives.
Currently, many African countries, to obtain a permit for a drone
service, you need to deal with multiple government bodies, at
significant expense, with no ultimate certainty you will be granted
your permit. There is still a long way to go.
Young people entering the workforce don’t want to step into their
ancestor’s shoes, they want to feel they are moving with, and have
access to, the newest technologies that not only have potential to
increase profitability, but will help them create altogether different
lives. Imagine the excitement of being a rural drone operator and
building a new career structure as a drone pilot, data analyst or
agronomic adviser. Drones are creating these opportunities and
young people are witnessing first-hand the impact of their new-found
knowledge and the very real changes that can occur when you bring
new tools to an age-old sector.
As the impacts of climate change and conflicts threaten progress
toward addressing global hunger, we need to apply new thinking in
agriculture. Investment in the right innovations, including drones, will
not only strengthen the resilience of agrifood systems, it will also
accelerate development as a whole.
A drone hovers over tea pickers in Uganda. Photo by: Seth Carnill
www.africasurveyorsonline.com
September-October issue l 2023 17

ANNIVERSARY
30 years of passion, and still
passionate about hydrography!
Gaynor Deacon during her visit to the Oceanology
International In April 2023. Image: GD
RTK base ready for a bathy survey in Port of
Durban, South Africa. Image: GD
Gaynor Deacon Making friends with a
rescue pup! Image: GD
Meet the unusual and up to speed hydrographer!
By Dorcas Kang'ereha
Gaynor Deacon is the Managing Director of Amaza Survey Services
(Pty) Ltd; a South Africa based Hydrographic Consultancy
Company. Established in 2018, in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South
Africa, Amaza Survey Services is celebrating 5 years of delivering
quality products with exceptional service delivery and a personal
touch. Alongside this celebration is its principal Ms Gaynor Deacon,
celebrating three decades of experience in the Hydrographic Survey
Industry. She is a Registered Professional Surveyor with the South
African Geomatics Council (SAGC) and Royal Institute of Chartered
Surveyors (RICS). She is currently the Secretary of the Hydrographic
Society of South Africa. Gaynor has a Mine Surveyors Certificate of
Competency (MSCC) in Sea Mining from the Namibian Chamber of
Mines.
With 30 years in the industry, Gaynor has acquired exceptional with
proven record of experience as a Surveyor in the marine mining,
offshore minerals, dredging and marine construction industries, she
has worked in senior management roles and as Party Chief, Client
Representative and Technical Lead with major players in the industry.
She also has extensive operational field experience in Southern and
East Africa and been involved on various projects throughout Sub-
Sahara Africa including Angola, Namibia, DR Congo, Kenya, Madagascar,
Cameroon, Mauritius, Malawi and Ghana.
Apart from ensuring a safe and efficient navigation across our seas,
hydrographers play an important role of conducting and providing
professional advice in relation to hydrographic surveys ensuring all
hydrographic survey projects are a success to expectations. Africa
Surveyors conducted an interview with Gaynor Deacon and she reveals
of her 30 years of passion and still passionate about hydrography!
AS: Who is Gaynor Deacon?
GD: I love my dogs and horses, enjoy travelling and am passionate
about hydrography. Amaza is 5 years old and we are committed to
providing our clients with quality, professional solutions and support
with a personal touch.
AS: What motivated you to pursue a career in
hydrographic surveying, and what specific aspects of
the field are you passionate about?
GD: It all happened by accident – i was studying at college in
Cornwall, UK and saw the degree advertised in a local newspaper so I
applied and the rest is history. I changed my degree at the end of year
1 and focussed on Maritime Archaeology with hydrography playing an
essential set of modules but it wasn’t my major focus, and I went on to
do an Honours with a dissertation based on Maritime History. After I
graduated and returned to South Africa I looked to pursue that field of
interest but it’s even rarer than hydrography. I applied for a position
as a hydrographic surveyor at a leading offshore diamond mining
company and re-entered surveying albeit as a Sea Mine Surveyor. It
was another 16 years before I surveyed a wreck – though in 2008
I was lucky enough to see the remains of a lost 16th century wreck
discovered in the diamond fields of the Namibian desert. The best
part of my career has been visiting different parts of the world, and
going to places far off the usual tourist hang-outs. Its truly magical
seeing the wildlife and untouched wilderness in the remote areas.
Ive also been lucky enough to meet lovely generous people from all
around the world, and learn about them and their cultures, and am
humbled that they still send me birthday and holiday messages.
AS: 30 years ago when you dived into hydrography,
what was the most challenging part of creating a
successful and professional practice?
18 September-October issue l 2023 www.africasurveyorsonline.com

ANNIVERSARY
GD: Hydrography has always been very specialist and unique, so the
challenge has been getting the training and experience, recognition,
and accreditation. Opportunities on our continent are fewer – that
being said the potential projects which require these skill sets are
great, but traditionally larger international companies have been
the main players. Personally for me, my career hasn’t always taken
a conventional pathway, so its taken a little longer than normal but
every survey, opportunity, posting and project has added invalueable
experience and knowledge. With technology that has developed
exponentially since the 90s, its such an exciting arena to be in and one
has to be proactive and willing to keep abreast of these developments
to compete and survive. To be successful one needs to be up-tospeed
on the new developments, keep in touch with clients, listen to
their needs and expectations, treat everyone with respect and offer a
comprehensive, relevant and professional deliverable.
AS: You are assigned to conduct a hydrographic
survey in an area with challenging environmental
conditions and limited access. How would you plan
and adapt your survey strategy to overcome these
challenges and ensure data accuracy and safety?
GD: Firstly clients need to be specific about what exactly they want
to achieve from the survey, what the purpose of the survey is and
what level of accuracy and resolution they need to fulfil their project
specifications. They need to try and identify the area of interest so the
survey can be planned accordingly. Today we employ remote sensing
to assess the proposed survey area and use it for project planning.
Where possible, new forms of remote sensing can acquire bathymetry
in zones shallower than 5m where its not cost effective to use a
multibeam and the resolution required is more than a singlebeam can
provide. That being said, the field team will still do topographic and
discreet survey lines into these zones for QA/QC and ground truthing.
There are some nice portable high resolution multibeam survey
systems on the market now, including the NORBIT family of sonars
we sell and support and they are ideally suited for the remote areas
where access is challenging and vessels of opportunity are few. This
approach has greatly enhanced our clients’ operational deliverables as
they fly in with a complete integrated solution which can be operated
by one person, carry the gear as checked-in luggage, use satellitebased
corrections when on site and PPK post-processing after, plus
can use a smaller vessel (even canoes), and run the entire system off
DC power. This shortens the duration of the whole project including
mobilisation and commissioning, minimises the size of the survey
team, reduces the time needed on site which all mitigates the risk to
equipment and personnel, and importantly enables them to quote an
attractive and competitive commercial offer.
AS: A client requests an urgent hydrographic survey
to support the construction of a new offshore
structure. How would you prioritize resources, plan
the survey, and deliver timely and reliable data to
meet the client's needs?
GD: Amaza is uniquely placed to provide equipment and personnel
from a network of local (sub-saharan) and international survey
companies and service providers. We are familiar with the logistical
and technical challenges in our region, and can provide invaluable
advice and recommendations to save the client time and money. Due
to our regions size and accessibility, the NORBIT portable system is
ideal as its integrated design means the surveyor can fly in with a
complete top-class multibeam system as check in luggage, mobilise
www.africasurveyorsonline.com
NORBIT iWBMS integrated multibeam echosounder on a small craft ready for a
dam survey. Image: GD
on a local vessel of opportunity and complete the survey to IHO
S-44 standards. This keeps the costs down to a minimum, and postprocessing
is done by a support team who work remotely with data
uploaded to the Cloud. Remote sensing is another method used more
frequently either in the form of satellite based corrections, aerial
surveys and / or unmanned surface drones.
AS: At Amaza Surveys what training and certification
do you have in place?
GD: We work closely with Skilltrade who has a recognised formal
IHO/FIG/ICA CAT B course and a selection of other online short
courses. We can also offer web-based hydrographic training on
specific subjects and onsite hydrographic courses designed to meet the
clients specific requirements, personnel competencies and equipment;
Our principal trainer is a Level-0 accredited hydrographer Surveyor
(IHO/FIG/ICA) has certification and registration with SAGC and RICS,
and certification from a number of leading manufacturers. Through
Amaza’s network, courses can be designed and developed with
lecturers including academics, engineers and field operators. Amaza is
a RICS regulated company and a corporate member of the HSSA which
is a IFHS member society.
AS: How do you stay updated with the latest
technological advancements and best practices in
hydrographic surveying?
GD: I try and visit international conferences at least once a year
and actively participate in the Hydrographic Society of South Africa
(HSSA hydrosocietysa@gmail.com) which is a network of surveyors
and people with an interest in hydrography. I am on the South African
Geomatics Council as an Alternate Member representing hydrographic
surveying locally and I read industry news online, trade magazines and
newsletters. I also try and keep in touch with friends and colleagues in
the industry via LinkedIn mostly and follow industry and manufacturer
activities posted there.
AS: With 30 years in hydrography, what has been your
greatest accomplishment?
GD: I’ve worked with some really hardworking and passionate
surveyors, engineers and scientists, and am very proud and humbled
to have played even a small part in their successes as they have gone
on having amazing careers. “By celebrating other another person’s
success like it's your own, you grow stronger” (quote Anon). One can
use it as inspiration and energy to keep moving forward. It's truly
a beautiful way to live because everyone gets to win. This idea is
also expressed in Buddhism as “mudita”, meaning sympathetic joy or
rejoicing in the good fortune of others.
September-October issue l 2023 19

Follow us on
Contact us on
+254 113 194 740
@AfricaSurveyors
@Africa Surveyors News
info@africasurveyorsonline.com
africasurveyorsonline.com
HYDROSPATIAL SOLUTION SPECIALISTS
Your Success is our Strength
Contact Us:
info@amazasurveys.com
+27 72 6078064 or +27 72 8314046
Follow us on LinkedIn
Professional Hydrographic
Consultancy
Project Management &
Support
Equipment Sales & Rentals
Capacity Building, Training &
Development
“Our Vision is to empower our Clients and Customers with hydrographic
technology and hydrospatial services that facilitate opportunity, growth and
diversification, to ensure profitability and sustainable growth by providing
professional personal support and world class systems supported by a
passionate and dedicated team.” Gaynor Deacon BSc(Hon) AHL0 GPrHS MRICS
www.amazasurveys.com
20 September-October issue l 2023 www.africasurveyorsonline.com

CLIMATE CHANGE
Surveyors urged to Mitigate Climate Change
By Ekuwam Sylvester and Luka Cherono
The effects of climate change on land
cannot be underestimated as it leads
land degradation through drought,
desertification and other extreme weather
conditions that are increasing in frequency
and intensity as the planet gets warmer.
The Institution Of Surveyors of Kenya (ISK)
President Eric Nyadimo said the whole world
was looking forward for ways to avert the
impacts of climate change, and itsparamount
that Surveying professionals understand how
this impacts their practice and what they
can do to help the globe to mitigate climate
change issues.
Nyadimo was speaking in a press briefing
Thursday, during the 8th ISK Africa Regional
Conference held in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu,
where land professionals and enthusiasts
from across the continent meet to network
and to deliberate on key climate change
issues and how they affect the surveying
profession.
The conference brought together Land and
Built Professionals from 5 African countries,
drawn from government institutions, private
sector and the academia to discuss issues and
challenges regarding climate change.
Nyadimo pointed out that surveyors
play a crucial role on matters related to
climate change like Environmental Impact
Assessments, where they provide valuable
information for environmental impact
assessments by mapping and measuring land
features and identifying areas that may be at
the risk of environmental damage.
Surveyors are also key in mapping and
monitoring land features such as rivers,
lakes, wetlands, and forests, which are
critical components of our ecosystems. The
information gathered is used to track changes
in the environment over time and develop
strategies for protecting these resources.
“They also help in land use planning by
identifying suitable areas for development
and helping to minimize the impact on
natural resources and at the same time help
www.africasurveyorsonline.com
resolve boundary disputes, which
can be important for protecting
natural resources. For instance, if
a dispute arises over the location
of a property line next to a
sensitive wetland, an accurate
survey can help ensure that the
wetland is not damaged,” he said.
The ISK president highlighted other key
areas, where surveyors work is paramount
like Resource Management in terms of
providing crucial data for assessing and
managing natural resources such as forests,
water bodies and agricultural land. This
enables Environmental scientists to obtain
data to make informed decisions regarding
land use and conservation efforts.
Additionally, when planning infrastructure
projects like roads, bridges, or buildings,
surveying ensures that these developments
have minimal environmental impact,
where environmental scientists help assess
potential ecological consequences and
recommend mitigation strategies.
Nyadimo further affirmed that the total
amount of real estate exposed to the
impacts of climate change is tremendous
and that climate change affects valuations
by decreasing net operating income (NOI)
as well as impacting investor appetites for
specific locations and property types.
He suggested that real-estate players can
incorporate climate change risks into asset
and portfolio valuations in order to thrive
throughout the climate transition. This will
require building the analytical capabilities
to understand both direct and indirect
physical and transition risks.
Other actions that the real estate players
can adopt to thrive throughout the climate
transition period is to decarbonize realestate
assets and portfolios and creating
new sources of value and revenue streams
for investors, tenants, and communities.
“We reinforce that Green buildings will help
to reduce negative impacts on the natural
(Center) – Eric Nyadimo, President of the
Institution of Surveyors of Kenya (ISK) at a press
briefing during the Institution of Surveyors of
Kenya (ISK) 8th African Regional Conference in
Eldoret, Kenya. |Image: courtesy.
environment by using less water, energy and
other natural resources, employing renewable
energy sources and eco-friendly materials
and reducing emissions and other waste,”
explained the ISK President.
Through this Conference, ISK sought to
deepen the understanding of the surveying
profession’s role by delving into the most
pertinent issues at the intersection of
sustainable land governance and climate
change.
Themed Climate Resilient Surveying for
Sustainable Land and Built Environment, the
forum addressed 8 thematic areas including
Carbon credit, mainstreaming climate change
in land governance, the role of land sector
professionals; Valuation, ecosystems &
smart cities in relation to climate change;
Geospatial technologies and trends for
climate change monitoring; Affordable
housing and financing; Natural resources
management and climate change mitigation;
Digital transformation in the land sector;
Technological developments in geomatics;
Climate resilient real estate developments;
and Action for Africa on climate change in
land and built environment.
“We call upon all stakeholders, from
policymakers and industry leaders to
students and citizens, to actively engage in
climate change mitigation. Let us seize this
moment as an opportunity to collaborate,
innovate, and lead the charge towards a more
sustainable future. It is through our shared
commitment and action that we can forge a
path to a greener, more resilient, and thriving
Africa Continent,” he added.
September-October issue l 2023 21

FEATURE
Leading CAD software for 3D monitor 3D PluraView certified: 3D stereo visualisation improves CAx workflow with CATIA. The integrated 3D
mouse cursor in the software application provides convenient stereoscopic design capabilities. | Image: Schneider Digital
CATIA certified for 3D PluraView
A 3D fusion with endless possibilities
The 3D software application CATIA from the French company
Dassault Systèmes has already successfully established itself in
many industries worldwide: in aerospace, the automotive and
supplier industry, the construction industry, industrial manufacturing,
energy and product technology, mechanical and plant engineering,
healthcare and Formula 1. CATIA is not just a CAD application,
but a comprehensive software package for product design and
development. With CATIA, users can model any product and turn it
into a three-dimensional, interactive application. The perfect tool
for engineers, architects, technicians, designers and construction
professionals. CATIA's sophisticated system architecture allows the
most complex products to be developed, analyzed, modified and
virtually experienced in real time. CATIA is plug-and-play compatible
with Schneider Digital's professional 3D PluraView monitors. The 3D
PluraView monitor systems provide the optimal stereo environment
for comfortable and fatigue-free work in all 3D stereo and VR/AR
desktop application areas. They are based on the innovative and
reliable "Beamsplitter" technology and guarantee a pixel-precise 3D
stereo display in highest image quality. Both software and hardware
meet the high requirements of international standards in terms
of quality and safety. Schneider Digital has already certified its 3D
PluraView monitors for several hundred applications. With CATIA,
another powerful unit is added.
CATIA is a CAD system from the French company Dassault Systèmes,
which was originally developed for aircraft construction. Today, the
design software is established worldwide and is used in a wide
variety of industries in over 140 countries to develop and design
virtual products. CATIA is the abbreviation for Computer Aided
Three-Dimensional Interactive Application, a computer-aided,
three-dimensional, interactive application. CATIA V5, V6 and CATIA
3DEXPERIENCE are the latest and most widely used CAD tools.
These are software packages that have both CAE (Computer Aided
Engineering) and CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) in addition to
22 September-October issue l 2023 www.africasurveyorsonline.com

3D TECHNOLOGY
computer-aided design of precise 2D and 3D stereo models (CAD). This
allows products to be viewed not only spatially, but also in the context
of movements, strengths, acoustics and thermal conductivity.
Engineers and manufacturers in high-tech industries such as
aerospace, automotive, construction, industrial manufacturing,
energy and product engineering, consumer products, machinery and
equipment, healthcare and Formula One, among others, benefit from
CATIA's high design quality, accuracy, centralization of design data and
computer-aided manufacturing (CAM). CATIA's design, engineering,
systems development and construction applications support specific
industry needs by creating real-time virtual environments. These tools
make products and sustainable innovations imaginable and tangible
and ensure better product performance. For systems engineers,
technicians, designers, and construction professionals, CATIA offers a
virtual world that they can define, co-create and purposefully change
themselves.
High-quality: The CATIA disciplines
The CATIA platform 3DEXPERIENCE, with its 3D modelling and
simulation functions, also enables multiple project teams to work
together. When designing and constructing complex building and
infrastructure projects, the 3DEXPERIENCE Virtual Twin technology
creates a design environment based on a single database. All those
involved in the project have access to this data from any location
during the ongoing design and engineering process. This facilitates
teamwork, reduces sources of error and saves time-consuming rework.
CATIA DESIGN/STYLING is the platform for innovative and creative
designs as well as surface modelling. Here, designers find everything
they need to develop new shapes, materials and surfaces. Mechanical
engineers working with 3D modelling benefit from the CATIA
ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE platform. It offers a wide range of 3D
assemblies for the creation of high-quality, complex and mechanical
prototypes, on the basis of which analyses, and diverse simulations are
possible.
Powerful: 3D PluraView stereo technology
With its 3D PluraView monitors, Schneider Digital offers a customized
technology for the spatial display of 3D models in perfect image
quality. Schneider Digital is the world's leading manufacturer and
distributor of customized hardware solutions for graphics-intensive
computer applications and offers professional users from the fields
of CAx, geoinformation, medical technology and many more complete
workplace solutions with powerful Intel and AMD-based workstations,
professional graphics cards from NVIDIA and AMD, RAM and stealth
mice in 3D stereo mode.
The 3D stereo monitors based on flicker-free "beamsplitter"
technology make working in virtual reality environments a real hightech
experience. The detailed and high-contrast 3D stereo image
display on the PluraView monitors is now the industry standard for
all stereoscopic software applications. With its innovative monitor
systems, Schneider Digital has given the term "3D CAD" a completely
new value in the fields of CAx, construction and design.
As a fully-fledged desktop VR/AR system, the successful 3D PluraView
monitors are certified for all common 3D stereo-capable applications
in photogrammetry and GIS. They are plug-and-play for their features,
provide pin-sharp presentation in real time and allow the user to work
fatigue-free even in daylight. Transparent lenses allow unrestricted
communication with clients and colleagues. Equipped with a high-tech
tracking system, the 3D PluraView also allows interaction with 3D
stereo models without a mouse.
CATIA certified for 3D PluraView
Several hundred selected software applications have already been
officially certified by Schneider Digital for this cutting-edge technology
(PDF list at www.3D-Pluraview.com). The seal of approval assures
that quality and safety meet the high requirements of international
standards. With CATIA, another software application has now joined
the list. The performance of these two future-oriented technologies
promises a breathtaking, virtual experience at the highest level. Josef
Schneider, CEO at Schneider Digital, can only confirm this: "With this
fusion, we not only meet the high expectations for a unique viewing
experience in 3D, but we exceed them."
www.africasurveyorsonline.com
September-October issue l 2023 23

TECHNOLOGY
Decarbonising Nigeria is feasible
with current power technologies
And will not cost more
By Wale Yusuff
Meeting last week in Abuja and Lagos for the 2023 Energy
Transition Forum, Nigeria’s leading energy experts have
outlined the country’s roadmap to decarbonisation, and
discussed what it will take to deliver universal access to clean energy
for Nigerian households and businesses.
Speaking in front of senior representatives of some of Nigeria’s most
prominent private and publicorganisations, Wale Yusuff, Managing
Director of Wärtsilä in Nigeria, explained how the most advanced
studies had shown that decarbonising Nigeria was not only feasible,
but that it could also be done in a way that lowered the cost of
electricity going forward.
“A lot of Nigerians still think that a renewable energy-based power
system is expensive and unreliable, but it doesn’t have to be. On
the contrary, I am confident we can reach universal and reliable
access to low-cost clean power provided we don’t lose sight of the
big picture strategy and develop the power system in logical steps.
All the technologies needed for a net zero power system in Nigeria
are already a reality: renewables, energy storage, balancing power
plants, and sustainable fuels such as green hydrogen, ammonia, and
methanol. These are the key ingredients needed to achieve our green
electrification goals. When these technologies are combined in an
adequate fashion, they deliver the lowest cost of electricity. Smart
planning, strategy and transparent government regulations will do the
rest”, Yusuff said.
Wind and solar are by far the cheapest source of new electricity
available, so their massive deployment is what will significantly
bring the overall system costs down. But as the share of renewables
increases in power generation, the volatility of the system will surge,
explained Yusuff. “That’s why grid flexibility is going to be the true
cornerstone of Nigeria’s decarbonisation efforts.”, he said.
In other words, as wind and solar grow to become the dominant source
of energy, their intermittent nature will need to be compensated by
flexible power capacities to ensure that the supply of electricity always
matches demand. Flexibility in the grid comes from balancing power
technologies, namely energy storage and engine power plants, which
help avoid unnecessary stress in the power system.
To meet the explosive growth of Nigeria’s electricity demand, the
country’s power infrastructure must also be quickly expanded and
modernised, both in terms of generation and transmission. “Bridging
our infrastructure gap will require the union of different market forces:
financing
(centre) Wale Yusuff, Managing Director, Wärtsilä Nigeria
institutions both multilateral and local, government planning and
private capital involvement.”, said Yusuff.
Ultimate fuel flexibility
Last year, Wärtsilä released a report which provides a detailed and
realistic roadmap showing how Nigeria should proceed to build a
100% renewable energy power system by 2060. The report shows
that Nigeria has everything it needs to successfully accomplish its
electrification goals. It benefits from fantastic solar energy resources,
but it also has significant, and largely untapped gas resources.
Gas is a key transitional energy source that is set to play an important
role in the country’s electrification. That’s why the gas infrastructure
must also be rapidly ramped up. Cheap domestic gas is necessary to
fuel the flexible engine power plants we need to balance a renewable
grid in the short and medium term.
What is more, engine power plants offer the significant advantage of
being able to run on different fuels, from natural gas and heavy fuel
oil today, to locally produced green hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol
tomorrow as they become competitive and broadly available. In this
sense, they are the ultimate “future-proof” technology, meaning they
are an ideal foundation on which a fully carbon neutral power system
can realistically be built.
Future fuels are quickly becoming a reality in Africa. For example,
very large-scale green hydrogen and ammonia plants, powered by
renewable energy, are already being developed in South Africa by
industry consortiums. Wärtsilä’s engine power plants, on the other
hand, are expected to be able to function on methanol by the end
of this year, on green Ammonia next year, and on green hydrogen by
2026. “The outlook for the use of future fuels in flexible engine power
plants is indeed very positive”, concluded Yusuff.
24 September-October issue l 2023 www.africasurveyorsonline.com

www.africasurveyorsonline.com
September-October issue l 2023 25

GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY
Fugro supports safe energy
operations in Namibia with
ultra-deep water Geo-data
Fugro supports safe energy operations in Namibia with ultra-deep water Geo-data.|Image: Fugro
Galp, a Portuguese energy corporation, awarded Fugro a
contract to conduct an environmental and geophysical survey
offshore Namibia. Known for its remote location, challenging
conditions and ultra-deep water, this site is key to future energy
operations in the region. Fugro's advanced technology and expertise in
marine geophysical and environmental surveys ensured efficient and
accurate data collection, enabling Galp to make informed decisions for
safe energy operations in the region.
With fieldwork completed earlier this month, the survey reached
depths of 2000 metres. The Fugro Venturer, a geophysical vessel,
collected sediment samples for environmental and chemical analysis
before an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) captured seabed
video footage. Additionally, Fugro acquired in situ full ocean depth
water profiles and water samples to measure the current biodiversity.
The Geo-data collected through this survey will support the
identification of potentially sensitive habitats, advance knowledge of
remote seamounts, and contribute to informed project planning and
resource management.
Furthermore, the geophysical survey will provide insights into the
underwater landscape, ensuring the safe movement and operation of
offshore assets within the designated area.
Rob Hawkins, Fugro’s Commercial Director for Africa said: “Our
expertise in deep-water surveying and identifying protected habitats
supports sustainable and efficient offshore energy developments
while minimising negative impacts on the marine environment. Fugro
remains committed to the preservation of the environment, and this
survey is an essential step towards achieving this goal.”
26 September-October issue l 2023 www.africasurveyorsonline.com

SEISMIC SURVEY
Tanzania
concludes oil
survey in six
Districts
By Janeth Mesomapya and Regina Masolwa
PURA Director General, Eng. Charles Sangweni.|Image: PURA
The project to collect 2D seismic data in the Eyasi Wembere
Basin has come to an end, with experts expressing hope that
the exploration will identify and categorize areas with potential
indicators of the presence of oil.
This was recently revealed during a monitoring visit by officials
from the Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA) in the
Eyasi Wembere area in Singida region, where the project has been
implemented.
Speaking to the officials, Mr. Sindi Maduhu, a Geophysicist from
the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) and the
Project Manager, explained that the 2D seismic data acquisition was
conducted in areas within six districts across five regions, namely
Singida, Arusha, Tabora, Shinyanga, and Simiyu.
"We are optimistic that this exploration will help us identify areas with
potential signs of oil and natural gas presence. If we discover these
indicators and confirm the presence of these resources, it will mark the
crucial phase of starting to drill production wells," he said.
Providing a brief history of exploration in the Eyasi Wembere Basin,
Mr. Maduhu said the study began in 2015 by collecting geophysical
data to determine the size of the basin and examine the depth of rock
layers in the area.
The Eyasi Wembere area covers 10,630 square kilometers, and the
research aimed to study the type and depth of rocks to determine the
potential presence of oil or natural gas in the region.
Exploration in this basin has been ongoing at different intervals and
using various technologies. By July 2023, the acquisition of 2D seismic
data officially commenced in the area.
Mr. Maduhu explained that 2D seismic data acquisition involves
sending sound waves into the ground, which then bounce back with
information that is later processed and interpreted to understand the
rock formations in the area and confirm indicators of oil existence.
www.africasurveyorsonline.com
2D oil exploration project in Eyasi Wembere completed.
|Image: Courtesy
Regarding the locals’ participation in the project, Mr. Maduhu
stated that many Tanzanians have benefited from job opportunities
throughout the project's implementation. For instance, in 2022, a total
of 40 Tanzanians were employed on temporary contracts to collect
geochemical data.
Furthermore, since the commencement of the 2D seismic data
acquisition project in July, more than 250 Tanzanians were employed
in the project, with approximately 98% of the technical work being
carried out by locals, including machine operation, compared to only
2% involving foreign nationals.
"In terms of procurement, more than 60% of the contractors for the
project implementation were Tanzanian companies, including Africa
Geophysical Services (AGS), which was the main contractor for the 2D
seismic data acquisition in this project," he explained.
He added that local subcontractors for services such as catering,
security, and others were prioritized in the project compared to foreign
companies.
This seismic data collection project in the Eyasi Wembere Basin cost
approximately 8 billion Tanzanian Shillings, which were provided by
the Government through TPDC.
September-October issue l 2023 27

PRECISION AGRICULTURE
Integrating
biofertilizers
and precision
agriculture
By Cristina Cruz and Teresa Dias
This article presents a comprehensive analysis of the
integration of biofertilisers and precision agriculture, with
the aim of creating a virtuous circle of agricultural growth
and sustainability, by Cristina Cruz and Teresa Dias of the Faculdade
de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa.
“What do plants feed on?” may seem a simple question, but our
answer has changed over time, and there is still no consensus. From
antiquity until the mid-18th century, we thought plants fed on
organic compounds (i.e., the humus theory).
With the advances in chemistry and the discovery of chemical
elements, we considered that plants feed on water and mineral
salts. The industrialisation of the Haber-Bosch process allowed the
production of large quantities of affordable fertilizers, allowing the
green revolution of the mid-20th century and intensive agriculture.
However, advances in microbiology and the demonstration that
legume improvement of soil nitrogen was, in fact, achieved by
bacteria highlighted the contribution of soil biota (e.g., bacteria,
fungi, nematodes, mites, worms) to supporting life on Earth, and
crops in particular.
Advances in microbial ecology have shown that soil is a biodiversity
hot spot (90% of which is still unknown), and that soil biota activity
is key for ecosystems’ functioning, food production, clean water and
air, nutrient recycling, climate regulation, recreation, etc.
Today’s challenges urge us to rethink the role of soil in agriculture,
especially the relevance of soil biota to food production
sustainability and quality. Since many soils worldwide are already
degraded by intensive production practices and their biodiversity
is already very low or unbalanced, we must restore their soil biota’s
diversity and functionality.
One of the ways to achieve this is by using biofertilizers
Biofertilizers for sustainable agriculture and soil health
Biofertilizers contain living microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi,
and algae, which enhance nutrient availability, soil fertility, and
plant growth when applied to plants or soils. Biofertilizers are game
changers in soil functionality and stimulate beneficial relationships
between soil biota and plants while reducing the need for synthetic
fertilizers.
They contribute to sustainable agriculture and improved soil health,
mainly by reducing nutrient runoff, minimising environmental
pollution, and promoting healthier soils. Their effectiveness varies
depending on soil type, climate, and crop, so correct selection and
application methods are essential to maximise their potential benefits.
Despite their benefits, several reasons contribute to their limited
adoption by farmers.
Expanding adoption of biofertilizers
Although biofertilizers are compatible with all types of farm
management, some farmers (organic, agroecological, small-scale,
subsistence, farmers in ecologically sensitive areas) have been more
willing to embrace these products.
Expanding adoption requires government policies, research, extension
services, raising awareness, providing technical training and support,
addressing cost concerns, and demonstrating their effectiveness
through successful case studies. The living labs focused on soil health
promoted by the EU Soil Deal Mission may play a fundamental role in
this transition by demonstrating the benefits of adoption.
Although using biofertilizers may seem more aligned with agroecology
and similar farming practices, it is also compatible with precision
agriculture or smart farming. Indeed, farmers using precision
agriculture may be more open to new approaches and innovative
techniques, such as using biofertilizers.
28 September-October issue l 2023 www.africasurveyorsonline.com

PRECISION AGRICULTURE
Figure 1: Conceptual model on how biofertilizers can boost the integration of agroecology and precision agriculture techniques.
This is where two distinct views of agriculture meet and can merge to
deploy a virtuous cycle of agricultural prosperity and sustainability;
biofertilizers and precision agriculture can work together to enhance
agricultural sustainability, productivity, and resource efficiency.
The advantages of merging biofertilizers and precision agriculture
in precision agroecology were demonstrated within the SOILdarity
project.
Precision agriculture
Since precision agriculture uses technology and data to apply
inputs (including fertilizers, water, seeds, etc.) at variable rates
(precisely where and when they are needed), biofertilizers can be
applied strategically based on soil nutrient levels, crop needs, and
other environmental factors. This targeted approach reduces waste,
minimises the overuse of biofertilizers (and associated costs), and
optimises their effectiveness.
Precision agriculture relies on detailed soil mapping and nutrient
analysis, and biofertilizers can be used to address specific nutrient
deficiencies identified through soil testing. For example, if a particular
area of a field has low nitrogen, nitrogen-fixing biofertilizers can be
applied only to that area.
Sensors, drones, and other real-time technologies to monitor crops and
soil can also provide recommendations and decision support systems
for biofertilizer application, ensuring that plants receive the proper
nutrients when needed most (Figure 1).
Biofertilizers and precision agriculture
Combining biofertilizers and precision agriculture allows for a more
efficient and targeted approach to nutrient management, reducing
environmental impacts and optimising crop production. We are at the
crossroads of transformation.
The modern resource-intensive farming techniques introduced
during the green revolution are exhausted; however, there is growing
awareness about food safety, nutrition, and the ecological impact of
farming practices.
Corporations are now reimagining farming and actively participating
in its growth. Thus, this is an opportune time to scale up sustainable
agriculture practices that will further contribute towards this goal
while improving yield, environment, and human health. Combining
biofertilizers with precision agriculture can deploy a virtuous cycle of
prosperity.
www.africasurveyorsonline.com
September-October issue l 2023 29

PRECISION AGRICULTURE
Precision agriculture and profitability
SDSU researchers seek to
understand farmers' viewpoints
Hailong Jin. Credit: SDSU
Tong Wang. Credit: SDSU
By ADDISON DEHAVEN
Since the late 1980s, precision agriculture has become
increasingly prevalent on farms across the United States,
particularly in America's heartland, where adoption of these
practices and technologies is more widespread. Past research has
proven these practices and technologies help increase farming
efficiency and crop production, enhancing economic viability and
reducing environmental problems.
Despite the advantages, some farmers are still hesitant to adopt these
technologies.Tong Wang, associate professor in South Dakota State
University's Ness School of Management and Economics, has been
conducting research on precision ag technologies and their adoption
rates over the past few years to understand why a farmer adopts—or
doesn’t adopt—these practices.
In a new study, Wang and her research team investigated farmers'
viewpoints on the most influential factor behind adopting new
technologies and practices: profitability.
"To enhance precision ag adoption rates and ensure long-term
farm sustainability, it is important for producers to gain a better
understanding of precision ag-induced profit changes," Wang said. "In
this study, we compared precision ag adopters' rated profit changes
for a range of technologies, and we studied a variety of factors that
potentially affect profit changes to understand the source of variance
in precision ag profitability."
Precision ag technologies and viewpoints on
profitability
"Precision agriculture" is an overarching term for a variety of farming
management strategies and technologies that aim to address the
spatial and temporal variability of the field and promote farming
efficiency. In this study, researchers highlighted eight widely adopted
precision ag technologies, including auto-steering and guidance,
automatic section control, satellite/aerial imagery, unmanned aerial
vehicle/drone imagery, variable rate fertilizer application, variable rate
seed and application, variable rate pesticide application and variable
rate irrigation application.
Each of the technologies provides potential opportunities for profit
increases if adopted.
"Different precision ag technologies adopted by farmers over time
may complement each other, and the cumulative benefit could be
well beyond the cost savings and efficiency gains of an individual
technology," Wang said. "The value of precision ag could potentially
stem from reduced downtime, better capacity utilization and reduced
risk of yield loss from weather events."
30 September-October issue l 2023 www.africasurveyorsonline.com

PRECISION AGRICULTURE
To understand farmers' viewpoints regarding profitability and adoption,
the research team—including Wang and Hailong Jin, associate
professors in the Ness School of Management and Economics, as
well as faculty members from South Dakota School of Mines and
Technology, University of Minnesota, Texas A&M University and
University of Nebraska-Lincoln—sent out surveys to 6,000 regional
farmers in 2021.
The surveys asked farmers in eastern South Dakota, eastern North
Dakota, western Minnesota and eastern Nebraska to rate their profit
change after adopting, or not adopting, each of the listed precision ag
technologies.
The most widely adopted precision ag technologies include autosteering
and guidance, which fit under the "georeferencing technology"
category. This technology helps farmers navigate their fields and use
resources more efficiently, a system that helps boost profitability.
Satellite imagery was the next most widely adopted technology, with
nearly 60% of all farmers having used it. Drones and unmanned aerial
vehicles fall under a similar category to satellite imagery; however,
drones are much less prevalent, with an adoption rate at 26%. While
26% is low in comparison to other adoption rates, it is a substantial
increase from previous research, indicating that drone usage is on the
rise amongst farmers.
"The use of UAVs or drone-based remote sensing has exponentially
increased in the last decade," Wang said. "Compared to satellite
imagery, UAV remote sensing offers higher temporal and spatial
resolution and is less affected by weather conditions. Other benefits of
UAV remote sensing include fast set-up time and low acquisition and
maintenance costs."
To understand viewpoints on profitability, the research team had
to know what the rated change of profits is according to adopters
of precision ag technologies, and the perceived profit change by
non-adopters. For each of the listed precision ag technologies,
approximately 60% of non-adopters indicated they had "no idea" if
adoption resulted in profitability change for the farm.
"This is not surprising since non-adopters have no direct hands-on
knowledge on precision ag profitability. Most of them likely have not
received such information," Wang said. "This highlights the need for
a better understanding of precision ag-generated profit change from
adopters' experience over regions with different farm, soil and weather
characteristics."
Adopters of most of the precision ag technologies were aware of
the profitability changes. Some farmers who had adopted drones or
satellite imagery had "no idea" of the profitability change. Others were
not aware of any profitability changes after adopting the variable rate
applications.
"Diagnostic technologies (drones and satellite imagery) increase farm
profit through increased (variable rate) efficiency. It is therefore hard
for farmers to separate their effects on profit," Wang noted.
One of the biggest takeaways from the research was that adopters
with significant experience (more than three years) with specific
www.africasurveyorsonline.com
The use of UAVs—or drones—is a precision ag practice that has seen
an increase in adoption rates over the past decade. |Image: SDSU
precision ag technologies were far more likely to understand the effect
of precision ag adoption on profit change than those with just a few
years (or even months) of experience.
"As adopters accumulate more experience and data support over the
years, they gain more understanding about the effect of precision
ag adoption on their profit," Wang said. "Our regression results
demonstrate that the profits from precision ag usage increase over
time and that use of conservation practices likely influences precision
ag profitability in a positive way.
Takeaways
Precision ag has been crucial in optimizing returns and yields
while using resources as efficiently as possible, hence why its
implementation has been credited with helping spurn on the
"Green Revolution." Despite these benefits, adoption rates are not as
widespread as one would assume.
In South Dakota, 53% of farmers are using precision ag practices to
manage their crops or livestock, according to a 2021 study from the
U.S. Department of Agriculture. While this is one of the highest rates
in the U.S., many other states have a fraction of their farmers adopting
precision ag technology.
While profit is often the most important consideration when adopting
new technologies, this study demonstrated that non-adopters had "no
idea" how their profit would change following adoption.
"This highlights the necessity of investigating adopter-rated profit
changes toward different precision ag technologies," Wang said.
To further facilitate precision ag adoption, the research team noted
that financial support during the first few years of adopting a new
technology could be beneficial. The researchers also theorized that
connecting long-term adopters with non-adopters so they could share
experiences with the technology could also help increase adoption
rates.
"Rising input costs in recent years further highlight the importance
of using precision ag technology since its site-specific management
would help improve input use efficiency and, in many cases, reduce
input cost," Wang said.
September-October issue l 2023 31

DRONES
Revolutionising agriculture
with AI drones
Farmers seek to optimise crop yields to ensure food security
and economic stability. In pursuit of this goal, AI drones are
emerging as game-changers. These uncrewed aerial vehicles,
equipped with artificial intelligence, offer a novel approach to
enhance crop yield predictions and revolutionise farming practices.
Bridging science fiction and reality
In agricultural research, automation has ushered in a new era of
innovation, aligning with the futuristic vision of a post-scarcity
world. Researchers are pioneers of this shift, including those
from the University of Tokyo, who have unveiled a predominantly
automated system to improve crop yields.
This advancement benefits farmers and lays the groundwork for
plans capable of direct crop harvesting.
The complex simplicity of AI drones
Associate Professor Wei Guo, from the Laboratory of Field
Phenomics emphasises the complexity behind the seemingly simple
concept. Knowing the precise moment to harvest crops minimises
waste, benefiting farmers, consumers, and the environment. Yet,
predicting optimal harvest times demands intricate knowledge of
each plant, a task impractical for humans.
This is where AI drones step in.
Harnessing drone technology
Guo’s interdisciplinary background in computer science and
agriculture uniquely positions him to explore the synergy of
cutting-edge hardware and software in agriculture.
His team’s breakthrough demonstrates that affordable drones
equipped with specialised software can capture and analyse
young plants, such as broccoli, accurately forecasting their growth
characteristics. Remarkably, these drones operate autonomously,
reducing labor costs significantly.
32 September-October issue l 2023 www.africasurveyorsonline.com

DRONES
Precision for prosperity
The economic impact of timing on harvests is astounding; a mere
one-day deviation from the optimal harvest time can result in
farmers losing 3.7% to a staggering 20.4% of potential income.
However, Guo’s system offers a solution.
Drones meticulously identify and catalog each plant in the field,
generating easily comprehensible visual data for farmers. With
drones and computers becoming more affordable, a commercial
version of this system becomes increasingly accessible to farmers
worldwide.
Overcoming challenges with AI and big data
The primary challenge faced by Guo’s team lies in image analysis
and deep learning. While acquiring image data is straightforward,
compensating for factors like wind-induced plant movement and
changing lighting conditions proved arduous.
Training the system requires an extensive effort in labeling various
image aspects that drones might encounter. Moreover, handling
the massive data throughput, often reaching trillions of pixels,
posed a formidable task—exceeding the capacity of even high-end
smartphone cameras.
In the relentless pursuit of maximising crop yields, AI drones
represent a beacon of hope for farmers worldwide.
By harnessing the power of technology, agriculture is taking a
significant step towards greater efficiency and sustainability,
bringing us one step closer to a future where machines support
human needs and secure our food supply.
Image: © baranozdemir | iStock
www.africasurveyorsonline.com
September-October issue l 2023 33

GEOSPATIAL
Switchgear Trends in Geospatial Mapping
Enabling Accurate Data Collection in Africa
By Anita Gro
In the field of electrical infrastructure, the union of cutting-edge
switchgear advances and geospatial mapping is reshaping the
scene of data collection across Africa. This vital cooperative energy
improves the effectiveness of electrical frameworks and assumes an
urgent part in addressing provokes exceptional to the continent. At the
core of this mechanical development lie modern electrical instruments
that work with exact monitoring and control, ushering in a period of
unwavering quality and sustainability.
Geospatial mapping, the most common way of utilizing geographic
information to envision, dissect, and interpret spatial connections, has
found a vital partner in present-day switchgear frameworks. These
frameworks, intended to control, secure, and disconnect electrical
hardware, are undergoing a groundbreaking development, integrating
geospatial mapping to make a complete outline of the electrical
infrastructure in Africa.
Benefits of Geospatial Mapping
Detect issues/problems
One of the vital benefits of this integration is the capacity to recognize
and find possible issues in the electrical framework quickly. By
employing geospatial mapping methods, administrators can pinpoint
flaws or disturbances continuously, altogether reducing free time and
minimizing the effect of electrical blackouts. This is especially critical
for Africa, where solid admittance to power is a test in numerous
districts.
Electrical instruments implanted in cutting-edge switchgear
frameworks are essential in this cycle. These instruments, furnished
with sensors and monitoring abilities, give primary data on the
presentation of electrical components. Via consistently integrating
this data into geospatial maps, administrators gain a complete
understanding of the whole electrical organization, enabling proactive
maintenance and quick reaction to emerging issues.
The electrical instruments turn into the linchpin in this mechanical
advancement. These instruments include many gadgets, from cuttingedge
sensors measuring voltage and current to intelligent transfers
that can independently distinguish oddities and trigger defensive
34 September-October issue l 2023 www.africasurveyorsonline.com

activities. The collaboration between electrical devices and geospatial
mapping guarantees that the data gathered isn't just accurate and
significant.
• Cater to the Growing needs of the Population
Regarding Africa, where different and frequently challenging terrains
present novel impediments to maintaining electrical infrastructure,
the job of geospatial mapping turns out to be considerably more
articulated. Through satellite symbolism, robots, and ground-based
studies, accurate topographical data is gathered and integrated
with the electrical matrix information. This combination gives
a comprehensive view that guides in planning, optimizing, and
expanding the electrical infrastructure to satisfy the growing needs of
the populace.
NZ’s new cadastral survey rules take effect
• Carry Preventative measures
Besides, integrating geospatial mapping with switchgear frameworks
adds to the general unwavering quality of the electrical lattice. Africa
encounters different ecological circumstances, from outrageous
temperatures to heavy rainfall, which can influence the exhibition of
electrical hardware. By utilizing geospatial data to foresee expected
weaknesses, administrators can carry out preventive measures and
upgrade the versatility of the electrical infrastructure.
• Effectiveness and Sustainability
The advantages stretch out past dependability, encompassing
effectiveness and sustainability. Geospatial mapping considers
improving electrical matrix designs, ensuring energy is dispersed with
©stock.adobe.com/au/Zerophoto
minimal misfortunes. Furthermore, by leveraging accurate data on
GEOSPARTIAL
energy utilization designs, leaders can execute designated procedures
for improving energy productivity and reducing waste.
Chasing sustainability by integrating environmentally friendly power
sources into the electrical matrix is a crucial thought. Geospatial
mapping is vital in identifying ideal areas for sun-powered and wind
ranches, considering variables, for example, daylight openness and
wind designs. Electrical instruments, through exact monitoring and
control, consistently integrate environmentally friendly power into the
New Zealand’s Cadastral Survey Rules 2021
existing lattice, fostering (CSR a more 2021) sustainable came into effect and on eco-accommodating
Monday, 30
energy scene.
August 2021, setting the standards on how
cadastral surveyors define and describe land
boundaries.
As Africa continues its quick There urbanization will now be and a six-month monetary transition turn of events,
the interest in solid and
period
open
to
power
25 February
escalates.
2022,
The
during
marriage
which
of
field work can be undertaken and CSDs
switchgear innovations certified with geospatial and lodged mapping, under either driven the by old cuttingedge
electrical instruments, Rules for arises Cadastral as a groundbreaking Survey 2010 or the answer for
meeting these growing CSR energy 2021. needs. The capacity to accurately gather
After 25 February 2022, only CSDs
and break down data empowers
certified in
partners
terms of the
to pursue
CSR 2021
informed
will
choices,
plan for the future, and be guarantee accepted. that electrical infrastructure isn't
simply a utility but an impetus The Landonline for progress. website has been
Conclusion
updated to support the capture and
validation of surveys under CSR 2021 as
well as to support the transition period.
Toitū Te Whenua Land Information
In Conclusion, integrating geospatial mapping and switchgear
New Zealand systems and processes have
innovations controlled
also
by cutting-edge
been updated
electrical
to support
instruments
the new rules.
denotes
a huge jump forward in the Support domain material of electrical for both infrastructure sets of rules is in
Africa. This collaboration available tends during to the the continent's transition extraordinary
period:
• Transition details as part of the
difficulties, providing a pathway to solid, effective, and sustainable
Cadastral Survey Rules 2021 (CSR 2021)
energy frameworks. As we implementation.
embrace these innovative trends, we are
ready for a more splendid • Cadastral and more Survey electric Guidelines future for Africa.
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September-October issue l 2023 23/9/21 11:29
35
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36 September-October issue l 2023 www.africasurveyorsonline.com

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