In Burundi, more than 80% of the population derive their livelihood from agriculture while the vast majority of the poor are peasants who practice subsistence agriculture (World Bank). For this reason, it is essential to save, while there is still time, this still very dynamic agriculture, which is weakly practiced and artisanal, through the introduction of modern technology (robotics), intervenes young Armel Akimana, the roboticist who invented the country's first ant-robot.

This young man, aged 29, a roboticist and specialist in automated systems, created this first machine that is more or less autonomous, which will perform different tasks depending on the users. Today, in its third version, the device is designed primarily as a sprayer for phytosanitary products and weeding that can also perform many other agricultural activities as needed, clarifies roboticist Akimana.

Solutions on the table

According to Armel Akimana, the machine will provide farmers with two different solutions for agricultural activities. In the fully automated option, weeding and spraying are performed autonomously by the robot. In the partially automated option, the device is equipped with an intelligent control box to automate the processes.

"It has the role of helping farmers get rid of repetitive tasks in different contexts, from orchards to vineyards and thus increase production," he explains.

According to Professor researcher Terence Niyonsaba, who points out in advance that the device is the product of a report from his student's internship (Armel Akimana) in July 2021, at the University of Lake Tanganyika. The one who supervised him during his internship subsequently confirmed his support for the initial idea of this mechatronic device that will respond to the SDGs in the fight against hunger "such is the government's commitment."

To conclude, he relayed the message of the president of the republic "every mouth to eat and every pocket to have money", to show the struggle which the machine will support.

Ant-robot within reach of farmers

"The business model I want to develop consists of manufacturing several robots that will remain the property of the company I will create. Farmers will rent such that one pays for example 1 million Burundian francs and the company sends a team and a dozen robots that will do the job faster than the farmers," explains his vision young roboticist Armel Akimana, who could save Burundi's agriculture.

During these agricultural works, the roboticist indicates that the farmer will no longer have to worry about electrical energy as his team will take care of it. "And otherwise the cost of production, I estimate it around 5 million francs, he concludes.

Ant-robot from Akimana is an intelligent machine manufactured locally, capable of performing tasks and operating independently within an environment, without human control or intervention.

Freddy Bin Sengi