The Distributed IoT Platforms, Privacy and Edge-Intelligence Research (DIPPER) Lab of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, in collaboration with Sesi Technologies, has launched FarmSense, a soil sensor, designed to make soil testing simple, fast, and accessible for farmers and agribusinesses.
Developed in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) and Innovate UK through funding from the Research and Innovation Systems for Africa (RISA) Fund and supported by UK International Development, the product is designed to give farmers and field agents direct access to soil intelligence. It measures key soil parameters, including pH, electrical conductivity, moisture, and temperature.
Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture John Matthew Kofi Setor Dumelo, speaking on behalf of the sector minister, said the ministry was committed to making FarmSense accessible to farmers.
“We will provide the platform to integrate the tool into their work, scaling its impact across farming communities nationwide,” he said.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to developing youth skills and creating sustainable jobs in agribusiness and agri-tech.
“We are deliberately promoting an environment where innovation and agriculture are not only encouraged but regarded as vital drivers of national development,” he stated.
Mr. Dumelo also pledged to support KNUST’s agricultural initiatives.
“And then also because it is KNUST, I will try as much as possible to attend to almost all your needs so that at least I know that within our four-year term, we did something for KNUST in terms of agriculture,” he assured.
Professor Kwabena Biritwum Nyarko, Provost of the College of Engineering, representing the Vice-Chancellor, said the project exemplifies research with practical impact.
“FarmSense is a shining example of great initiative, a project where our research has moved decisively from the lab to action, empowering our farmers with digital intelligence for data-driven decision-making,” he said.
He reaffirmed KNUST’s role as an agent of change in sustainable development.
“This partnership will see us contribute to the ambitious goal of training and developing 10,000 innovators and entrepreneurs. It is through such strategic national initiatives that KNUST will cultivate and launch more companies like Sesi Technologies, creating lasting economic impact,” he explained.
Professor Nyarko urged stakeholders to invest in local production capacities.
“I wish to use this platform to advocate for strategic investment in developing these capacities here in Ghana. This will not only allow us to manufacture such technologies locally, reducing costs and increasing accessibility, but it will also provide an unparalleled hands-on training ground for our students,” he said.
Deputy Director-General of the National Communications Authority (NCA), Suleman Salifu, outlined ongoing collaborations aligned with FarmSense’s vision, including a partnership with the Ghana Meteorological Agency to strengthen early warning systems under the national emergency telecommunications plan.
“Through this collaboration, we are ensuring our communication networks serve as lifelines in times of climate emergencies. When floods threaten our communities, when drought looms over farming regions or unpredictable weather jeopardises crops, the flow of information becomes a matter of survival,” he said.
Mr. Salifu expressed NCA’s readiness to support the initiative.
“Innovations like FarmSense illustrate what happens when connectivity meets creativity,” he said. “The National Communications Authority stands ready to begin this collaboration with KNUST’s DIPPER Lab, Sesi Technologies, and all partners here today. Together, we can ensure that every farmer from the northern savannah to the coastal plains is connected to this digital future.”
