- Youth participate in the KDBC training programme which is aimed at fostering and developing entrepreneurial skills.
New technologies have been invented where drones are employed in agri-business for mapping, surveying, and even spraying pesticides on crops as a way to increase food security in Kenya. This new technology aims to foster innovation and develop entrepreneurial skills among youths in Kenya.
Youths in Kenya participated in the Kenyan Drone Business Competition (KDBC), and 10 finalists engaged in a live-drone-flying demonstration and were opportune to interact with international industry experts and drone pilots at Drone Spavce Training Airfield, Sigoni.
There were 122 applicants for the competition from 24 countries but were cut down to 25 through age selection of the age bracket 18-25. The 25 were engaged virtually for five days. It was from the 25 that the 10 finalists were selected, which was based on the best ideas on technology in Agriculture.
The Kenyan Drone Business Competition (KDBC) is a training programme that seeks to develop the entrepreneurial spirit and inventiveness of Kenya-based young technology entrepreneurs with a focus on drones. The programme also aims at building capacity and creating a platform for accessing STEM resources significant to the development of agricultural inputs in the economy.
The programme is funded by the US Embassy in Nairobi, and according to Bridget Koenig, Public Diplomacy Officer at the United States Embassy, the Embassy is very keen on food security and its reason for funding the competition is to ensure connectivity and collaboration with experts who are determined in solving the numerous problem facing farming by means of agric-technology.
She also pointed out that food security is a huge challenge, stating that the technology will help them acquire skills to come out with solutions to address food security.
Collaboration between the Global Air Drone Academy (GADA), Dronector Academy, KCAA, Skydio, Drone Deploy, and Kenya Labs in organizing the KDBC will also help solve some of the enormous problems affecting food security via technology. It also places emphasis on the level of attention given to the agricultural sector.
The three top winners who emerged from the competition received drones, with the first winner earning Sh2.5 million. The best finalist was also offered free training by Dronector Academy.
CEO and Co-founder of Global Air Drone Academy (GADA), Eno Umoh encouraged farmers to embrace technology, making mapping and surveying farms easier.