As farmers continue to claim poor production despite efforts invested in agricultural activities, a new technology has been launched in Musanze District to help wheat farmers tackle all problems that could lead to poor yields.
The technology helps farmers know the quantity of the fertilizers needed and crop pests that could affect production.
The technology is implemented by Charis Unmanned Aerial Solutions under the partnership of Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB) and Regional Research Centre for Integrated Development (RCID) and the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation.
Technical head at Charis Unmanned Aerial Solutions, Teddy Segore said the technology helps farmers know the quantity of fertilizers to use during farming.
He said that sometimes farmers use excessive quantity of fertilizers and spend much money which they should have saved.
“This technology helps farmers identify the quantity of fertilizers to use, when it is lacking they add more but when they find it enough, they save their money. They will also be able to identify pests that could damage their crops and establish measures before things can get worse,” he explained.
The Director General of Innovation and Business Development at the Ministry of Information, Technology and Communication, Claudette Irere encouraged farmers to collaborate with the company so that they help them calculate the quantity of fertilizers needed their farms surfaces and identify requirements to practice profitable farming.
“This company will help farmers practice farming professionally, I urge farmers to join hands and collaborate with these technology providing companies so that they will not suffer many problems,” she said.
Optimism among farmers
Under the pilot phase, farmers who partnered with the company affirm that though they are yet to harvest, their farms exhibit hope in getting increased production.
“Previously we didn’t understand the role of these drones, but today, when we see our wheat’s ears, we can affirm that production will be good than it used before,” said Daniel Hafashimana Musanze farmer.src:igihe
The Express News
