Delmark Agro, an agribusiness company operating in Akatsi and beyond, is advancing efforts to integrate drone technology into farming in the Akatsi South Municipality as part of initiatives to modernise agricultural production and improve access to efficient farm services.
The initiative, spearheaded by the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Edem Ackuaku, follows a working visit by representatives of Farmdrone Pro, a Polish agricultural technology company, to Delmark Agro.
The engagement explored potential areas of collaboration, with particular focus on introducing drone spraying services for farmers and establishing a dedicated agricultural drone service centre in Akatsi.
The proposed centre is expected to improve farmers’ access to drone-based agricultural services within the Municipality and surrounding farming communities, while supporting the efficient and timely application of farm inputs.
A key component of the proposed collaboration is also the training of young people in Akatsi as professional drone pilots who will be equipped to operate agricultural drones in Ghana.
The training is expected to provide participating youth with specialised technical skills and open up new employment opportunities within the growing agricultural technology sector.
Farmdrone Pro has further expressed its readiness to support a knowledge-exchange programme that would facilitate the visit of university graduates from Poland to Ghana next year.
The proposed exchange is expected to provide opportunities for the graduates to share technical knowledge and expertise while contributing to agricultural development and farm-related activities in the area.
As part of efforts to secure local institutional support for the initiative, Mr Ackuaku has engaged the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Akatsi South, Mr Daniel Dagba, on the proposed interventions.
The engagement is expected to strengthen collaboration between Delmark Agro, the Municipal Assembly and private-sector and international technology partners in advancing technology-driven agriculture and youth development in the Municipality.
Expanding access to modern agricultural solutions
Delmark Agro has over the years positioned itself as an agricultural enterprise focused on supporting farmers and promoting modern agricultural practices within the Akatsi South Municipality.
The company is involved in the production and supply of agricultural inputs, including certified seeds, grains, agrochemicals and animal feeds. It also undertakes crop and animal farming, farmer consultations and agricultural education.
Through its operations, the company has focused on improving farmers’ access to quality inputs, providing agricultural information and promoting practices aimed at increasing productivity and improving livelihoods.
Mr Ackuaku brings considerable practical experience to the initiative. In 2022, he was adjudged the Overall Municipal Best Farmer for Akatsi South in recognition of his contribution to crop and animal farming.
The proposed partnership with Farmdrone Pro builds on Delmark Agro’s efforts to introduce innovative technologies and modern solutions to some of the challenges confronting farmers and agricultural service delivery.
Agricultural drones can support farmers through more targeted and efficient application of inputs, while potentially reducing the time and labour required for certain farm operations.
For farmers who have limited access to mechanised agricultural services, the proposed drone service centre could provide an additional option for accessing modern farm-management technologies.
The youth training programme could also create a pool of trained drone operators in the Municipality, enabling young people to develop careers in agricultural technology while providing specialised services to farmers.
The initiative is therefore expected to deepen collaboration among Delmark Agro, the Akatsi South Municipal Assembly and international agricultural technology partners, while contributing to efforts to build a more technology-driven and productive agricultural sector in the Municipality.
