Telecel DigiTech Graduates Build ‘Smart Farm’ to Combat Drying Farmlands
Students from the Telecel DigiTech Academy have developed an innovative ‘smart farm’ prototype aimed at addressing the growing challenge of water scarcity and drying farmlands in parts of the Volta Region.
The project, designed by a team from Peki Blengo Evangelical Presby Junior High School in the South Dayi District, reflects the increasing impact of erratic rainfall and rising temperatures on agricultural productivity in communities such as Peki.
Leading the team, student innovator Ruth Martey explained that the idea was inspired by the daily struggles of farmers in their community.
“As a group, we wanted to solve a problem our communities are experiencing every day. Farmers in this region struggle with water, especially during the dry season,” she said during a live demonstration at the academy’s cohort three graduation ceremony.
The smart farm prototype integrates an automated irrigation system capable of detecting soil moisture levels and triggering watering when conditions become too dry. The system is designed to draw water from underground sources or nearby water bodies, ensuring crops receive adequate hydration even during prolonged dry spells.
In addition to irrigation, the innovation includes a night lighting feature to illuminate farmlands and help deter animals that often destroy crops under the cover of darkness.
Local farmer Evans Owusu, who has spent over two decades cultivating cassava, plantain, and cocoa, described the project as both timely and practical. He noted that unpredictable rainfall patterns continue to affect yields and incomes.
“If a smart water system like this can be developed into a real product and used widely, it could help increase our production and income,” he said.
The smart farm was one of several innovations presented by approximately 500 students drawn from 19 schools across five regions who completed the three-month programme. Participants developed a range of solutions, including fire and theft alarm systems, rain detectors, e-commerce platforms, and other agricultural tools.
According to Vincent Adzagbenu, the programme has significantly enhanced students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills, equipping them to address real-world challenges.
The initiative, delivered in partnership with the Ghana Education Service and the National STEM Centre, combines classroom learning with hands-on training in coding, robotics, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Supporting organisations include Mingo Foundation and Asustem Robotics.
Rita Agyeiwaa Rockson, Head of Foundation, Sustainability and External Communications at Telecel Ghana, said the programme is designed to nurture young innovators capable of developing practical solutions to community challenges.
“What we seek to achieve is to equip young people with the digital skills to build tangible solutions to real needs and become changemakers in their communities,” she noted.
While projects like the smart farm remain at the prototype stage, requiring further development, funding, and testing, they represent a promising intersection of technology and agriculture.
Since its launch in 2024, the Telecel DigiTech Academy has trained over 2,300 students across 13 regions, with plans to expand further. Notably, about 70 percent of participants are girls, underscoring a strong commitment to gender inclusion in STEM education.
As climate variability continues to threaten traditional farming practices, such innovations highlight the potential of youth-driven technology to transform agriculture and build resilience at the community level.
