Ethiopia: Training of trainers on the Application of Drone Technologies for Agriculture and Water Resource Management
30/11/2023
In collaboration with Ethio Red Fox Agricultural Drone Spraying and Manufacturing, the digital team at FAO's Office of Innovation, the digital agriculture innovation hubs in Ethiopia, and the Ministry of Agriculture jointly organized a comprehensive training of trainers program on the Application of Drone Technologies for Agriculture and Water Resource Management for FAO Libya employees. This transformative event unfolded from November 27-30, 2023, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, attracting diverse participants from government institutions, academia, the private sector, development partners, and Libyan experts.
The primary objective of the training of trainers (ToT) was to provide hands-on instruction in drone operation, data processing, and analysis, specifically tailored for local experts. The program set out specific objectives, including capacitating and certifying experts in the application of drone technology, establishing a local network of trainers for effective knowledge and experience sharing, and fostering discussions on data management privacy based on insights gathered from other African countries. Further, the training aimed to conduct practical demonstrations of spraying drones with farmers, commercial farm owners, cooperatives, and seed enterprises.
The training content embraced a holistic approach, equipping local experts and farmers with essential skills for both manual and autonomous drone missions. It also targeted agents and agri-entrepreneurs supporting farmers across various regions, promoting a widespread understanding of drone technologies. A pivotal focus was the establishment of a network of trained farmers' cooperatives dedicated to effectively applying drone technologies. Simultaneously, the program aimed to advocate for a sustainable business model, actively engaging and empowering youth to offer valuable drone-based services for farmers. The overarching goal was to enhance farmers' productivity by leveraging drone technologies, particularly in crop monitoring and desert locust surveillance.
Despite inherent challenges, the potential benefits of integrating drone technology into agriculture are substantial. This ToT program endeavored to capacitate and onboard a team of experts to assist drone operators, extension workers, Agri-cooperatives, and rural youth graduates with a technology background engaged in farming. Recognizing the potential to improve crop yields, reduce costs, and enhance efficiency, drones hold the promise of elevating countries' economies and uplifting farmers' livelihoods.
The primary objective of the training of trainers (ToT) was to provide hands-on instruction in drone operation, data processing, and analysis, specifically tailored for local experts. The program set out specific objectives, including capacitating and certifying experts in the application of drone technology, establishing a local network of trainers for effective knowledge and experience sharing, and fostering discussions on data management privacy based on insights gathered from other African countries. Further, the training aimed to conduct practical demonstrations of spraying drones with farmers, commercial farm owners, cooperatives, and seed enterprises.
The training content embraced a holistic approach, equipping local experts and farmers with essential skills for both manual and autonomous drone missions. It also targeted agents and agri-entrepreneurs supporting farmers across various regions, promoting a widespread understanding of drone technologies. A pivotal focus was the establishment of a network of trained farmers' cooperatives dedicated to effectively applying drone technologies. Simultaneously, the program aimed to advocate for a sustainable business model, actively engaging and empowering youth to offer valuable drone-based services for farmers. The overarching goal was to enhance farmers' productivity by leveraging drone technologies, particularly in crop monitoring and desert locust surveillance.
Despite inherent challenges, the potential benefits of integrating drone technology into agriculture are substantial. This ToT program endeavored to capacitate and onboard a team of experts to assist drone operators, extension workers, Agri-cooperatives, and rural youth graduates with a technology background engaged in farming. Recognizing the potential to improve crop yields, reduce costs, and enhance efficiency, drones hold the promise of elevating countries' economies and uplifting farmers' livelihoods.