Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
There is a need for technologies that assist farmers and agricultural institutions to improve yields, optimise input use, and strengthen resilience in the face of changing climatic conditions, an agriculture expert and leading agronomist has said.
ARDA chairperson Mr Ivan Craig said precision agriculture has become an important component of modern farming, adding that drone technology is increasingly becoming one of the tools that can help farmers achieve these objectives.
Mr Craig said this during the launch of leading aerial intelligence and security company, Africa Drone Kings Zimbabwe, which specialises in advanced drone solutions for enterprise, agriculture and critical operations.
In his remarks, Mr Craig said the launch of the Zimbabwe branch represents more than the opening of a business.
“It represents investment, innovation, skills development, and the continued advancement of technology within our economy. Today, the world is changing rapidly. Whether in agriculture, mining, infrastructure, security or environmental management, technology is becoming an increasingly important driver of productivity and competitiveness.
“Nations and organisations that embrace innovation are positioning themselves to succeed in a highly dynamic global environment. Zimbabwe must be part of that transformation. As someone whose professional journey has been closely linked to agriculture and agricultural development, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by farmers and agricultural institutions.
“Climate variability, rising operational costs, labour shortages, and the need to improve productivity continue to place pressure on our sector.
“To overcome these challenges, we must embrace technologies that enable us to do more with less, improve efficiency, and make informed decisions based on accurate data. Drone technology offers that opportunity,” he said.
He said drones are no longer just aerial devices used for photography as they have evolved into powerful tools that support precision agriculture, crop monitoring, spraying and spreading operations, surveying and mapping, infrastructure inspection, security operations, environmental monitoring and disaster response.
“The value of these technologies lies not in the equipment itself, but in the solutions they provide.
“During the most recent agricultural season, Africa Drone Kings Zimbabwe successfully carried out drone spraying and spreading operations covering 5,958 hectares. This achievement demonstrates the growing role that precision aerial applications can play in supporting agricultural productivity, operational efficiency and sustainable farming practices.
“As chairperson of ARDA, I appreciate the importance of technologies that assist farmers and agricultural institutions to improve yields, optimise input use, and strengthen resilience in the face of changing climatic conditions. Precision agriculture has become an important component of modern farming, and drone technology is increasingly becoming one of the tools that can help us achieve these objectives. Beyond agriculture, the opportunities are equally significant,” Mr Craig said.
The company’s chief executive officer, Mr Vice Phiri also said the launch presented an opportunity to showcase how drone technology is transforming industries and contributing to Zimbabwe’s economic and technological development.
“This event marks a significant milestone in Zimbabwe’s unmanned aviation industry as Africa Drone Kings expands its footprint into Zimbabwe, bringing world-class drone technology for sectors such as agriculture, mining, security and surveillance, and emergency response,” he said.
