UAV-Based Remote Sensing Assessment of Taro–Weed Competition within Smallholder Farming Systems

Global agricultural food production systems are challenged by an expanding population and climate change, leading to concerns regarding food insecurity and malnutrition. To enhance the resilience of these systems, there is a recognized need to diversify food production by promoting Neglected and Underutilized Crops (NUCs) , such as taro ( Colocasia esculenta). NUCs are crucial for resource- poor and marginalized communities, particularly in sub- Saharan Africa (SSA), as they are nutrient -dense, climate-resilient, and suitable for low-input agriculture. However, poor weed management is often the primary contributing factor to low NUC yields and inferior product quality in smallholder farms. Weeds are deleterious because they compete with crops for primary resources like sunlight, nutrients, and, critically, water. Since many smallholder farms in SSA rely on rainfed agriculture and face water scarcity, quantifying the impacts of weed water use is also essential.