Precision Farming Takes Flight: 20 Engineers Graduate with Drone Licenses

By Ilyana Sithole

In a giant leap toward the digitalization and modernization of agriculture by the government, 20 engineers from the Department of Engineering, Mechanization, and Farm Infrastructure Development have graduated proudly with drone and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle licenses from the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe. Success is one major milestone toward the country’s drive to adopt precise farming and productivity in the sector.

At the ceremony, Chief Director Engineer Samuel Edwin Zimhunga celebrated the graduates, putting much emphasis on such initiatives. “What we have just witnessed is a graduation of 20 engineers with a drone and UAV pilot licenses. This forms part of our key pillars driving transformation in agriculture, where we are adopting aeromechanization as a strategy to increase production and productivity,” he said.

Zimhunga, therefore, underlined the transformative potential of drones in agriculture: “Drones are the future for agriculture. We are using them for precision agriculture, feed surveillance, mapping, and even chemigation and fertigation. Of late, there has also been the use of drones to broadcast small grains, such as sorghum and millet.”

The Chief Director went further to explain how efficient drones have made farming operations in comparison to traditional methods. “In the past, spraying was done using tractors, which required a lot of time and resources. Today, drones can do the job in half or even a quarter of the time, hence making them an invaluable asset for farmers.”

This initiative is a clear testimony to the government’s commitment to modernizing agriculture, bringing economic efficiency and effectiveness in operations. “We are pioneering the digital era in agriculture, where we are working to increase yields and competitiveness within the sector,” said Zimhunga.

This was echoed by Arnold Mawone, one of the graduates and an engineer in the Department of Agriculture: “This training was crucial for us to understand the technology before rolling it out to farmers in Zimbabwe. The drones can be used in a variety of activities, including spraying, field mapping, and livestock counting.”

Mawone recognized the upfront investment in drone technology but emphasized its long-term benefits. “While drone investment costs may be high initially, drones reduce operational costs over time, making them a worthwhile investment for farmers.”

The 20 engineers are now set to effectively train farmers on how drones are an asset in their agricultural practices. “There is a need for extensive training of the farmers to amply exploit the technology. It involves planning and knowing how to operate drones for different agricultural jobs,” Mawone said.

With this programme, the Government has taken a giant step in the direction of improving food security and increasing agriculture productivity by preparing engineers who will lead this initiative. The fusing of drone technology in farming practices will change the Zimbabwean farmers economic landscape and open the way toward increased profits and improved livelihoods.

With the potential of drone technology, the future of agriculture shines brightly as the sun sets over the Zimbabwean fields. The graduation of these 20 engineers means the nation is taking not just one but several strides toward modernized farming and, in the process, laying a pathway toward sustainable and efficient agricultural practices.

Hence, at the dawn of a new era for Zimbabwe, farmers can now harness the power of technology to make their operations optimal, improve productivity, and safeguard livelihoods through the generations to come.