{
  "id": 18248731,
  "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-18248731",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-05T03:15:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/smart-farming-weak-connections-rethinking-rural-connectivity-in-ghana/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Agriculture relies on a series of decisions regarding soil moisture, animal health, and equipment operation. Farmers traditionally rely on observation and experience to answer such questions. Modern digital tools can extend a farmer's ability to see, measure, and act on these factors. For example, soil moisture sensors, animal collars, and irrigation controllers can provide valuable information. However, for these tools to function effectively, they require a reliable communication network to transmit data between devices and users. The design of this network can determine whether smart agriculture becomes a practical solution or remains a theoretical concept. Ghana's approach to agricultural modernization should consider the importance of this network, as merely purchasing sensors and developing applications is not enough. Connecting sensors across fields and scattered settlements poses a significant challenge. Local initiatives, such as KNUST's DIPPER Lab's FarmSense and HerdWatch projects, demonstrate the potential of smart agriculture in Ghana. These projects provide insights into various aspects of agricultural management, including crop production, livestock monitoring, and equipment control. However, the development of these initiatives is still in its early stages, and there is a need to identify the specific connections required for these tools to become reliable services. Different tasks require different levels of connectivity. For instance, transmitting continuous data from soil sensors may be unnecessary and energy-consuming, while sending photographs or receiving urgent alerts demand higher data transfer capabilities. Moreover, animal collars incorporate GPS tracking, requiring additional communication links to provide accurate location information. The urgency of health monitoring alerts highlights the importance of timely warnings to farmers or animal-health workers. The design of a farm network should be based on the specific work performed on the farm. Key considerations include the amount of information to be transmitted, the speed of data delivery, the operating environment of the devices, and the battery life of the devices. The internet is not always necessary for essential farm operations. A local controller or gateway can collect data from nearby sensors and forward it to the wider internet when needed. This approach allows for continuous irrigation operation during internet outages and enables remote advice, supervision, and shared records when the external connection is available. By distinguishing between connections within the farm and connections to external services, costs can be reduced. Short sensor messages can be transmitted through less expensive networks, while larger images or urgent alerts can utilize higher-capacity connections. Connecting dispersed farms can be commercially challenging due to the high costs associated with equipment, power, transmission links, and maintenance. Additionally, demand for these services may be modest or seasonal, making the investment case less compelling for conventional mobile network expansion. The solution varies depending on the location of the farms. Some farms already have existing infrastructure that can be utilized, reducing the need for extensive new investments. In conclusion, Ghana's agricultural modernization efforts should prioritize the development of robust rural connectivity networks tailored to the specific needs of farmers and agricultural operations. By understanding the unique requirements of each task, such as data transmission requirements, device battery life, and the need for rapid response, Ghana can effectively implement smart farming solutions that enhance productivity and efficiency in the agricultural sector.",
  "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."
}