https://www.linkedin.com/posts/conservezim-conservezim-402997277_zimbabwe-modernises-farming-with-drone-technology-activity-7291434724630126593-pf2w?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios. Zimbabwe Modernises Farming with Drone Technology   John Cassim   Zimbabwe is embracing precision agriculture by training engineers to use drones. The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development (MLAFWRD Zim) is leading this initiative, incorporating drone technology and Artificial Intelligence to improve efficiency, economics, and effectiveness ("the 3 Es").   Twenty engineers from the Department of Engineering, Mechanisation, and Farm Infrastructure Development recently earned drone and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) licenses from the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe. This first group of graduates demonstrates the government's commitment to modernizing farming practices nationwide.   Chief Director Engineer Samuel Edwin Zimhunga stated that this training aligns with the government's agricultural transformation agenda, which prioritises aero-mechanisation to increase production and productivity. Drones, he explained, will revolutionise farming through precision agriculture, enabling tasks like feed surveillance, field mapping, and chemigation (applying chemicals through irrigation).   Drones offer significant advantages over traditional methods. They can replace tractors for certain jobs, drastically reducing the time needed for field spraying and seed broadcasting. They also facilitate precision farming through various applications, including feed surveillance, mapping, and broadcasting small grains like sorghum and millet. Engineer Zimhunga called this initiative a crucial step into the digital age of agriculture, designed to boost efficiency, production, and competitiveness.   "The 20 engineers who just received their drone and UAV pilot licenses represent a key part of our agricultural transformation," said Engineer Zimhunga. "We are adopting aero-mechanisation to ensure increased production and productivity."   He added, "Drones are the future of agriculture, enabling precision agriculture, feed surveillance and monitoring, mapping, and chemigation and fertigation."   He emphasised that this initial training of 20 engineers underscores the government's commitment to a digital era of mechanisation and the broader digitalisation of agriculture.   Precision farming expert Emmanuel Marume believes this technology will help Zimbabwe regain its status as the "breadbasket" of the region.   "We are proud to be working with both commercial and small-scale farmers, bringing precision farming to their farms," said Emmanuel Marume, Co-Founder and Director of Farmbuzz Agriculture Solutions. "We can spray one hectare in just four minutes, with each flight taking about eight minutes and covering two hectares. Today, we used our drone technology to spray 280 hectares of tobacco. Excessive rainfall had caused a severe leaf spot outbreak, but our drones allowed us to map the field and target only the affected areas, maximising efficiency and minimising waste." Credit: Images captured by Emmanuel Marume