{
  "id": 18245035,
  "title": "Smart farming, weak connections: Rethinking rural connectivity in Ghana",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/smart-farming-weak-connections-rethinking-rural-connectivity-in-ghana",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-11-05T03:15:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Joy Business",
    "slug": "joy-business",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/smart-farming-weak-connections-rethinking-rural-connectivity-in-ghana/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Farming is a series of decisions. Farmers must determine if soil moisture requires watering, if grazing animals have wandered too far, and if their behavior signals potential issues. Traditionally, farmers have ranked on observation and experience to answer these questions. However, digital tools can extend their capabilities by measuring conditions and automating responses. Sensors can gauge soil moisture, temperature, and acidity. Collars can track animal location and activity. Controllers connected to irrigation systems can activate water flow when necessary. For these tools to function effectively, information must travel between devices and users. The network providing these connections can determine whether smart technology becomes integrated into daily farming operations or remains an experimental prototype. As Ghana contemplates agricultural modernization, it must consider the network infrastructure that supports these innovations. Acquiring sensors and creating applications are essential components of the investment, but connecting them across fields, grazing areas, and isolated settlements poses a significant challenge. Ghana is exploring these possibilities through local initiatives. The DIPPER Lab at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Sesi Technologies, and Manchester Metropolitan University have collaborated on FarmSense. This project involves launching a soil sensor in October 2025 to measure soil moisture, temperature, and pH. Another example is HerdWatch, a wearable collar that records animal location, activity, and other health-related data. The laboratory has a prototype ready for field testing, with data transmitted via an LTE mobile connection to an online platform. Additionally, KNUST’s Responsible Artificial Intelligence Lab is researching crop water requirements and automated irrigation systems as part of its agricultural research agenda. These initiatives demonstrate that the discussion extends beyond crop production to include livestock management and equipment control. However, they also highlight the need to address the practical question of what connections are required for such tools to become dependable services. The network design can determine whether useful equipment becomes an integral part of farming or remains a demonstration project. For instance, a cooperative growing vegetables and raising livestock across several dispersed sites would have different needs than a single farm. They may require better irrigation decisions, cattle location tracking, and a way to share photographs of damaged crops with extension officers. Each task places different demands on the network. A soil sensor may send periodic readings, requiring minimal data transmission and battery life. In contrast, transmitting photographs of crops demands higher capacity connections. An animal collar introduces additional complexity, as GPS coordinates must be communicated to the farmer when cattle move beyond the network's service area. Health monitoring introduces urgency, as changes in temperature or activity levels must trigger timely alerts for inspection. Automation can streamline this process by using sensor data and predetermined rules to operate equipment. An irrigation controller, for example, could automatically open a valve when soil moisture falls below a certain threshold and close it once the limit is reached. However, this action requires safeguards, such as a mechanism for farmers to manually intervene if needed. Therefore, a farm network should be planned around the specific work being performed. Key considerations include the volume and speed of information flow, the location of devices, and the longevity of their batteries. While an internet connection is not always necessary, it can provide valuable benefits. Distinct connections can be established for local farm operations and external services. Nearby sensors can transmit readings to a local controller or gateway, which then forwards messages via a backhaul connection to the wider internet. This approach allows essential farm operations to continue even during internet outages. Moreover, it can help reduce costs by transmitting only the most critical data over higher-capacity connections. However, connecting scattered farms can be commercially challenging for providers. They must invest in equipment, power sources, transmission links, and maintenance, then recover these costs from users spread across a wide geographical area. Demand may be modest or seasonal, weakening the investment case for conventional mobile network expansion. The challenge varies depending on the location. Some farms may already have the necessary infrastructure.",
  "summary": "Farming involves a succession of decisions. Is the soil dry enough to need watering?",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}