The Internet of Things (IoT) — the growing network of data-collecting sensors and devices — could breathe new life into SA’s agriculture sector, says Business Connexion (BCX) CEO Ian Russell. IoT is already becoming a part of everyday life, with wearable devices such as "smart watches" tracking our steps or even gauging the quality of our sleep, and sending this information directly to our mobile phones, for instance. Like their global peers, SA technology companies — including mobile operators Vodacom and MTN — are trialling different IoT applications. Vodacom’s IoT business now generates about R800m/year in revenue, with 3.3m physical objects linked to the Internet at the end of September 2017. Telkom subsidiary BCX is betting on IoT opportunities in the agriculture sector, Russell says. The company is running pilot projects on five farms across SA. "We’re putting a lot of time and energy at the moment into smart farms and smart agriculture." But Russell acknowledges that commerci...
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