A team of student innovators from Dabokpa Technical Institute in the Northern Region has developed an integrated, solar-powered agricultural solution to enable year-round farming and boost productivity.
Led by Project Lead Joshua Zakaria Wumpini, the initiative, dubbed the “Smart Agro Energy Solution”, addresses critical seasonal and operational bottlenecks in the nation’s agricultural sector, especially in northern Ghana, where farmers traditionally rely on a single rainfall season per year.
Wumpini explained that the system relies entirely on off-grid solar energy to power multiple automated farming processes.
Core components include a solar-powered mechanised irrigation system equipped with soil moisture sensors for automated precision watering, mitigating water scarcity during the dry season while preventing water waste.
To reduce field operational costs, the team designed an electric tractor powered by a localised solar charging station.
He said the machine eliminates reliance on fossil fuels while replacing traditional, low-efficiency hand-tilling and animal-draft methods.
Integrated soil-testing sensors also provide data-driven notifications to farmers regarding optimal fertiliser application timing, reducing agricultural guesswork.
”Our system integrates various systems into one to help the farmer farm more effectively and produce more yields to power Ghana’s 24-hour economy,” Wumpini said, emphasising that the system is engineered to support both day and night operations.
The technology also incorporates automated pest surveillance using cameras to detect birds and rodents.
Upon detection, Wumpini stated that the system triggers acoustic deterrents and automated mechanical scarecrows to prevent crop destruction.
For post-harvest management, he said the system features an enclosed smart dryer that monitors temperature and moisture levels automatically, sending mobile notifications to farmers when drying is complete.
The sealed design protects harvested produce from contamination, pest exposure, and spoilage common to open-air sun drying.
Wumpini stated that while the current prototype demonstrates full functional viability, scaling the project to rural communities across the country, especially Northern Ghana, will require external funding and strategic investment.
”Once funding is given, this project can be upscaled to many farmers in the rural area,” Wumpini added, noting that strengthening local agricultural output remains vital for rural employment, food security, and broader macroeconomic stability.
Wumpini was speaking to Kumasi FM’s Elisha Adarkwah when the institute was crowned winners of the Northern Zone of the 7th edition of the Energy Commission Renewable Energy Senior High School Challenge held in Kumasi with the innovation.
They took the top honours ahead of Yaa Asantewaa Girls’ Senior High School, which placed second, and OLA Girls’ Senior High School came third.
All three qualified for the grand finale on 17 November 2026, at the University of Professional Studies (UPSA), Accra, where they will compete against Ahantaman Girls’ Senior High School, Presbyterian Boys’ Senior High School (PRESEC, Legon), and Kpando Senior High School.
Speaking on the development, Ing. Richard Addo Gyamfi, Ashanti Regional Director of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), commended the school’s performance, noting that Dabokpa Technical Institute has consistently demonstrated innovation in the competition over the years.
Gyamfi emphasised that the next critical step is commercialising the students’ work to ensure it reaches the broader market.
He stated that under the leadership of the Director-General, TVET is actively engaging relevant institutions to provide the financial and technical backing needed to scale and market the prototype.
”We congratulate the school and will continue to encourage and support our students to develop these vital projects,” Ing. Gyamfi said, adding that TVET management remains committed to assisting both the students and the institute’s leadership.
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