Abstract
FutureWater?s ThirdEye was a SWFF-supported infrared flying sensors project that created a group of flying sensors operators equipped with tools to analyze near infrared imagery in order to help farmers to make better decisions concerning the use of their limited resources, such as water, seeds and fertilizers. This report analyses the results obtained by the monitoring and evaluation field intern who conducted an evaluation survey in July and August 2018 in Mozambique, after the project had been active there for 3 years. A sample of 62 predominantly female smallholder farmers were interviewed out of an estimated total of 2,891 farmers located in the areas where the project was carried out: surroundings of the towns of Xai-Xai and Chokwé, in Gaza province. Farmers were randomly selected through visits to their farms and data was obtained on household income, crop yields, water practices and expenses. Even though it was not possible to quantify changes in water usage, the innovation is seen as having a positive indirect impact over water efficiency in some areas by serving as encouragement for farmers to clean water channels or by providing the necessary justification to have fields leveled. Even though 59% of farmers increased their yields over the period examined, other factors besides the innovation were identified by farmers as also having an impact over production, explaining why farmers? attitudes towards the innovation varied: 77% of farmers felt that the innovation was beneficial, even if indirectly, but 34%of the farmers felt either unsure or not interested in having the service continue.