Development of a high clearance android-controlled inter-row weeder for rice intensification system
Rice a semi-aquatic grass species that comprises about twenty two species of the class Oryza, out of which twenty are wild. Thus, two classes or species of rice are essentially consumed by humans: Oryza sativa (Asian rice) and Oryza glaberrima (African rice) are the main food for about three quarter of the world population and fundamental to food security since majority of the global population depends on it. This translates to approximately about three to four billion people that depend on rice daily as staple food. It’s been estimated that nearly 144 million hectares of land is cultivated with rice each year, with the annual global rice production and average yield at 454.6 million tons and 4.25 ton/ha respectively (Sumithra et al., 2014; Harijono and Desa, 2014 and International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), 2012). Rice production and consumption has been expanding in the last decade outside the traditional rice producing areas, especially in western Asia and Europe (Seck et al., 2012 and Cherati et al., 2012). Food habits, demand due to population, economic needs and related issues are encouraging people to produce rice anywhere water is available (Seck et al., 2012 and SRI, 2006). Rice a consistent constituent of cuisines of Asians, producing about 95% of the global rice, and provides up to 50% of the calories of Asian nourishment (Sumithra et al., 2014; Wayayok et al., 2014; Alizadeh, 2011 and Chamhuri et al., 2014). With current global rice yield of 454.6 million tons, it is uncertain if yield increases can be attained to keep leap with the increasing food demand. To this regard, Nellemann ( 2009) reported that current projections reveals that 50% raise in rice production is needed by 2050 to withstand the demand, taken into considerations the losses in yield and land mass due to environmental impact. Hence, Remesan et al., (2007) reported that the existing increasing domestic and international demand for rice as food can only be achieved through enhanced productivity and intensive cropping. These views suggest that, it is very vital to improve yield through intensive agriculture, meaning better inputs and management practices.