Mutahi Kagwe, the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture, shows the intention of the government to use drones for critical data collection. Find out more on what the CS plans for Kenyans.
On Tuesday, April 8, the Agriculture CS mentioned a delegation from the Rockefeller Foundation. In the same meeting, Mutahi revealed that the government seeks partnership with aviation companies in Kenya.
Therefore, the partnerships will see to it that drones get equipped with the necessary software. The software will collect soil data and get the project started. CS Mutahi believes that soil data collection materializes as a traditional method. He considers a modern technological method to deliver the best for farmers.
Interestingly, the new technology to be initiated provides efficient data collection and analysis. Therefore, he ensures that farmers get actual information through their mobile phones.
Drones are better
CS Mutahi said, “Right now, we are using our labs, but in the future, we want that to become a lot more efficient. When I was a kid, I remember there used to be people who came to the farms and advised the farmers on what they needed to do after analyzing the soil. This is where we want to get back to-a point where a farmer feels informed.”
“I believe the use of technology today is much easier because we can send information through our phones, just like how we are sending information about fertilizer. There’s no reason why we can’t extend that to their soils and everything else they are doing,” CS Mutahi added.
Additionally, CS Kagwe emphasized partnering with county governments to ensure agricultural colleges incorporate technology. By integrating technology into agricultural studies, it will lead to technologically advanced officers.
“We want to revive our agricultural schools by integrating technology and teaching the use of technology in agriculture. This is an area we want to explore with our supporters,” he emphasized.
