Professor Andrew Manu, an esteemed Emeritus Professor hailing from Iowa State University, USA has advised the use of drone technology to expand rice production enterprise in Ghana.
Prof. Manu has put forward a compelling proposition for the advancement of rice production in Ghana through the utilization of unmanned aerial systems, commonly known as drones.
His vision is one of optimism, as he firmly believes that the integration of drone technology can revolutionize and sustain the rice sector, enabling it to flourish and grow exponentially.
During a recent Research Seminar Series organized by the School of Agriculture at the University of Cape, Prof. Manu expounded on the topic of “Prediction and Mapping of End of Season Rice Yield in the Tono Irrigation Scheme using UHAS (drone) Generated Data.”
Drawing from the data provided by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture spanning from 1999 to 2020, Prof. Manu highlighted the pressing need for Ghana to bolster its domestic production of high-quality rice, aiming for import substitution and the preservation of foreign exchange.
To facilitate this ambitious undertaking, the Ministry has already trained Agriculture Extension Officers, empowering them to offer crucial technical assistance to farmers with regard to drone technology adoption.
However, Prof. Manu also earnestly appeals to the government to make further investments in drone technology, envisioning its application not only for rice production but also for various other commodities like cocoa. Emphasizing the significance of adding nitrogen to rice plants to augment yield, he advocates for a comprehensive approach to agricultural development.
The seminar, presided over by Prof. Sam Amoah, a former Provost of the College of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, served as a platform to share and discuss the potential of drone technology in transforming the agricultural landscape of Ghana.
