Two innovators from the University of Venda (Univen) have developed a smart herbicide sprayer that targets weeds with precision, reducing both chemical use and labor costs for farmers. Thapelo Ramphisa from the Department of Agricultural and Rural Engineering, together with Ipfi Tshivhase, created the device to address two of the biggest challenges in crop production: rising input costs and over-reliance on herbicides.
The smart sprayer created by Univen students uses onboard cameras to capture a live feed of the field. The system then processes the images in real-time to identify weeds and only sprays where they are detected. Instead of blanket spraying an entire field, the machine applies herbicide selectively saving chemicals, money, and protecting the environment.
“Blanket spraying wastes herbicide and increases costs. With this system, we only target the weeds. That means less chemical in the soil, less money spent, and less work for the farmer,” Ramphisa explained.
Why It Matters
For small-scale and commercial farmers in Limpopo and across South Africa, herbicides and labor make up a large portion of production costs. Over-spraying also raises concerns about soil health, water contamination, and herbicide resistance.
The Univen prototype offers a practical, tech-driven solution that aligns with climate-smart and precision agriculture goals. It will reduced herbicide use through targeted application, lower labor costs with automated weed detection, and environmental protection by minimizing chemical runoff
Built at Univen for African Farms
Developed within Univen’s Department of Agricultural and Rural Engineering, the project showcases the university’s commitment to practical research that solves real problems for rural communities. The team says the next steps include field trials with local farmers, improving the image-processing speed, and exploring partnerships to commercialize the technology.
Tshivhase added that they want to make this accessible to farmers in Venda and beyond. “The goal is simple, help farmers produce more, spend less, and farm smarter,” he said.
Univen has positioned itself as a hub for agricultural innovation in the Vhembe District, and this smart sprayer adds to a growing list of student-led solutions aimed at food security and sustainable farming.